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The Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience originally drafted by Charles Colson, Founder of the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview; Robert George, Professor, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University, and Timothy George, Professor, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University. Others are now invited to sign the statement which seeks to uphold the sanctity of human life, marriage as a union of husband and wife, and freedom of conscience. Particularly helpful are the on-line resource links to other groups supporting life, marriage and freedom of conscience.
The Declaration states in part, "Because the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as a union of husband and wife, and the freedom of conscience and religion are foundational principles of justice and the common good, we are compelled by our Christian faith to speak and act in their defense. In this declaration we affirm: 1) the profound, inherent, and equal dignity of every human being as a creature fashioned in the very image of God, possessing inherent rights of equal dignity and life; 2) marriage as a conjugal union of man and woman, ordained by God from the creation, and historically understood by believers and non-believers alike, to be the most basic institution in society and; 3) religious liberty, which is grounded in the character of God, the example of Christ, and the inherent freedom and dignity of human beings created in the divine image." Manhattan Declaration
Five Rings & A Wedding: Marriage & The Concentric Communities That Surround It by Allan Carlson
Marriage is not a private act. The couple's vows are made not only between themselves, but "with concentric rings of others, all of whom have a vested interest in the making and preservation of their marriage." These include: the parents and their unborn, the extended family, the neighborhood, the community of faith, and the nation. Mar/Apr 2005 Theology Matters p. 1
The Holy Bond of Marriage, a sermon preached by John Mabray
Scripture text Genesis 2:18-25 Mar/Apr 2005 Theology Matters p. 7
A Christian Vision of Marriage, a sermon preached by Lee Wyatt
Scripture text Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 28:16-20 Mar/Apr 2005 Theology Matters p. 10
Clothe Yourselves with Love, a sermon preached by Ralph Hawkins
Scripture text Colossians 3:12-17 Mar/Apr 2005 Theology Matters p. 13
The State of Our Unions: The Social Health of Marriage in America 2003 by Barbara Dafoe Whitehead and David Popenoe.
This article is reprinted from the National Marriage Project at Rutgers, the State University of NJ. The Marriage Project is co-directed by Popenoe and Whitehead. "The Project's mission is to provide research and analysis on the state of marriage in America and to educate the public on the social, economic, and cultural conditions affecting marital success and well-being." Mar/Apr 2004 Theology Matters, p.1
What Marriage Is For by Maggie Gallagher
Gallagher argues that the purpose of marriage is "that children need mothers and father, that societies need babies, and that adults have an obligation to shape their sexual behavior so as to give their children stable families in which to grow up." Contrast that historic view with the highest court in Ontario Canada that ordered gay marriage on June 10, 2003 saying, "marriage is without dispute, one of the most significant forms of personal relationships...Through the institution of marriage, individuals can publicly express their love and commitment to each other. Through this institution, society publicly recognizes expressions of love and commitment between individuals, granting them respect and legitimacy as a couple." Mar/Apr 2004 Theology Matters, p. 8
I Do? by David Blankenhorn
Blankenhorn argues against couples writing their own vows because this leads the couple to assume that they are creating the institution of marriage tailored to meet their needs and feelings. Their personalized vows convey that marriage is "a loving relationship of undetermined duration created of the couple, by the couple, and for the couple. The couple should be helped to understand that they are entering an institution ordained by God, not one that they personally craft. Mar/Apr 2004 Theology Matters, p. 12
The Nordic Track by Gene Edward Veith
Veith highlights Stanley Kurtz's work on marriage in Scandinavia where not only marriage is disappearing, but consequently the birth rate is plummeting. Mar/Apr 2004 Theology Matters, p. 14
A Crushing Disappointment: The Proposed PCUSA Policy Statement on 'Living Faithfully with Families in Transition" by Alan Wisdom
Wisdom critiques the "Families in Transition" paper that was sent to the 2003 General Assembly. It was approved by the Assembly. Mar/Apr 2003 Theology Matters p. 12
Let Marriage Be Held in Honor by Alan F. H. Wisdom
Wisdom responds to the cultural question of how would same-gender marriage harm heterosexual marriage. He examines the biblical, confessional, and historic reasons why the church and state cannot condone same-gender marriage without destroying marriage. "Ultimately, the choice is between Christian marriage as God's gold standard--or no standard at all." Mar/Apr 2002 Theology Matters p. 1
New Video Introduces Kids to Same-Sex Couples, by Ed Vitagliano
This reprint from the American Family Association critiques the 1996 video "It's Elementary: Talking About Gay Issues in School" that is used to orient teachers and "That's a Family?" that is shown directly to children. Mar/Apr 2002 Theology Matters p. 5
A Critical Review of "Changing Families" a Churchwide Study Document by Christine A. Bruce
Bruce, a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, critiques the "Changing Families" paper being circulated for comment before being submitted to the 2003 General Assembly. Mar/Apr 2002 Theology Matters p. 7
The State of Our Unions by David Popenoe and Barbara Dafoe Whitehead
Popenoe and Whitehead are co-directors of the National Marriage Project at Rutgers University. In this 1999 report, they discuss what is happening to Marriage; the marriage relationship; marriage as a right of passage; marriage in the life course; marriage as a social institution; women and marriage; some good news about marriage. Mar/Apr 2002 Theology Matters p. 9 Additional information on The Marriage Project at Rutgers University can be found at http://marriage.rutgers.edu
Two Sexes, One Flesh: Why the Church Cannot Bless Same-Sex Unions by Stephen F. Noll, Professor of Biblical Studies at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, Ambridge, PA. Noll writes, "This is an article about marriage, not about homosexuality. ...If these relationships cannot fulfill God's will for marriage, then to place them on an equal footing is to dishonor marriage." He looks at: 1) Revising Marriage; Sexuality and the Transformation of Intimacy; Straight Talk about Terms of Endearment; 2) Thinking Biblically about Marriage; the argument from silence; Can Biblical Sexual Norms be Revised? 3) The Natural Design of Marriage: the Purposes of Marriage, The Essential Nature of Marriage; Marriage Under the Power of sin and Death; Homosexuality and the Natural Purposes of Marriage; 4) Marriage and the Law: Same-Sex Marriage and the Traditions of Justice; Liberationism and the Context of Same-Sex Marriage; 5) The Sacred Character of Marriage: Holy Matrimony as a Sign of the Gospel; Marriage as a Means of Grace; Same-Sex Marriage and the Life of the World to Come; 6) Th Unchangeable Glory of Marriage. May/Jun 2000 Theology Matters p. 1
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