Same-Sex Marriage: A Thoughtful Approach to God's Design for Marriage (Thoughtful Response) - Softcover

Sean McDowell; Stonestreet, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 080101834X ISBN 13: 9780801018343

Publisher: Baker Books, 2014

Synopsis

Same-sex marriage is here, presenting unique challenges and opportunities. How do those who follow Christ faithfully answer the standard talking points for same-sex marriage? And how can they best articulate the case for one-man, one-woman marriage in everyday conversation?

Sean McDowell and John Stonestreet believe a thoughtful approach to God's design for marriage is the answer to both questions. The key is not a contentious attitude towards those who believe in same-sex marriage, but a winsome perspective that is faithful to Christ, committed to truth, and shaped by a love for God and others. Christians need to know that because Christ has risen, there is no such thing as "all hope is lost." They are still called to engage culture even if they are viewed as wrong, illegal and intolerant.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Sean McDowell (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is a gifted communicator with a passion for reaching the younger generation with the gospel message. A professor at Biola University in the apologetics program, Sean is the author or coauthor of fifteen books, including The Apologetics Study Bible for Students. He travels widely, speaking at camps, churches, universities, and conferences.

John Stonestreet is a speaker and fellow of the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview, as well as the co-host with Eric Metaxas of Breakpoint, the Christian worldview radio program founded by Chuck Colson. John is a sought-after speaker at conferences, colleges, and churches on the subjects of theology, apologetics, and faith and culture. He holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Bryan College and is the coauthor of Making Sense of Your World.

Review

Sometimes it seems like all the logical arguments for traditional marriage were trumped by the two words: marriage equality. Sean McDowell and John Stonestreet provide an important perspective with compelling prose and selected interviews. They explain how we got to where we are today, set forth the case for marriage, and provide an action plan for the 21st century. You need this book order to understand what is going on and in order to be an effective witness for Christ.
Kerby Anderson, President, Probe Ministries; Host, Point of View radio talk show

The marriage terrain has undergone a seismic shift over the past decade, leaving Christians disoriented and confused about where to turn for help. Thankfully, John and Sean have written a clear and reliable guide to all of the major questions. This is a book that trades in shrillness for substance, offers wisdom and not platitudes, and counsels faithful hope, rather than despair.
Matthew Lee Anderson, Lead Writer at MereOrthodoxy.com; Author, The End of Our Exploring: A Book about Questioning and the Confidence of Faith

John and Sean have supplied the evangelical church with a much-needed, practical guide for reasoning well within the reality of same-sex marriage in our society. This well-written work is a sobering yet hopeful examination of the factors that have led to our current social ethic on sex, marriage and identity, as well as an insightful map showing the Christian community our pathway back to regaining our cultural influence. This book is a must read for everyone who is seriously seeking to move from simply winning arguments to the gospel call of winning souls.
Chris Brooks, Campus Dean, Moody Theological Seminary Michigan; Senior Pastor, Evangel Ministries, Detroit, Michigan

Sean McDowell and John Stonestreet are two of the brightest minds on the planet. But their best quality is love. They love Jesus. And they love people. So with keen intellects and love-filled hearts, Same-Sex Marriage: A Thoughtful Approach to God’s Design For Marriage, was written. This is an important book! Buy one for yourself and a friend.
Derwin L. Gray, Lead Pastor, Transformation Church, Indian Land, South Carolina; Author, Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future

Sean and John have lovingly and studiously offered a framework that will help believers sort through all the opinions, questions, emotions, debates and confusion happening on marriage and sexuality today. I am very thankful for this book!
Dan Kimball, Founding Pastor, Vintage Faith Church; Author of many books, including Adventures in Churchland

Spectacular! This is the book on same-sex marriage that we've all been waiting for. A clear, winsome and engaging treatment of one of the most important topics of our time.
Eric Metaxas, Bestselling Author, Bonhoeffer and Amazing Grace; Cohost, BreakPoint

Biblically-informed, pastorally-focused, and culturally-sensitive, Sean McDowell and John Stonestreet have given us a superb guide to the same-sex marriage debate. They not only show us what's right and wrong, but they also offer us a way forward in repentance and faith. Read this as soon as possible.
C. Ben Mitchell, Ph.D., Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy, Union University, Jackson, Tennessee

John Stonestreet and Sean McDowell aren't content to win an argument about the present controversies. They also seek to cast into the future a compelling case for the necessity of marriage as the one-flesh union of a man and a woman for life. This book is packed with truth, hope, joy and gospel love. Read it and start thinking about how to articulate the good of marriage, no matter how confused the culture may be.
Russell D. Moore, Ph.D., President, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Baptist Convention, www.russellmoore.com

So what do you think about same-sex marriage? It’s not if Christians will have to share their views on same-sex marriage but when. The problem is that many Christians don’t know what to say. Finally there’s a book that helps Christians think clearly, compassionately, and courageously about how they should engage the new reality of same-sex marriage. This book also offers practical wisdom for navigating difficult personal and family situations. Sean McDowell and John Stonestreet are to be thanked for engaging this important issue. When students raise the question of how to think about same-sex marriage from a Christian perspective, this will be the first book I recommend!
Jonathan Morrow, Speaker and Author, Questioning the Bible: 11 Major Challenges to the Bible's Authority Founder, ThinkChristianly.org

The mainstreaming of homosexuality is such a contentious issue in society today primarily because it creates a very radical view of human sexuality and the family that no society has ever faced before. Those of us trying to navigate this issue in thoughtfulness and truth have a valuable gift in what McDowell and Stonestreet provide for the Church in this important book. They are uniquely well-versed to provide this wisdom and insight, both from much study and experience as thought leaders.
Glenn Stanton, Director of Global Family Formation Studies, Focus on the Family

Edition details

• Publisher: Baker Books
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 080101834X
• ISBN 13: 9780801018343
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 176