What Is Christian Marriage?: Notes for Developing a Biblical Theology of Marriage and Sexual Ethics

Marriage is a hot topic in our culture and a pressing concern for the church. Today’s Christians and church leaders are increasingly confronted by questions surrounding the nature of marriage. Should Christians embrace or resist homosexual marriage? When is divorce and remarriage permitted? What about polygamy? Should Christians hold a traditional view of marriage or is a more progressive view okay? What Christians need, perhaps now more than ever, is a Biblical theology of Christian marriage (what marriage is) and sexual ethics (the right way to do marriage). This book contains extensive notes surveying the Bible’s teaching on marriage and sexual ethics from Genesis to Revelation. This broad evidence is then assembled into a comprehensive definition of Christian marriage that will serve as a Biblical foundation for developing your own convictions and ethics regarding Christian marriage. These notes will be an invaluable tool to every Christian, Bible study, small group, church, and denomination wanting to wrestle seriously with the Biblical text and to develop a faithful approach to Christian marriage and sexual ethics. If you want to know what the Bible says about marriage, this book is for you.

Adam Copenhaver holds a PhD in New Testament from the University of Aberdeen (Highland Theological College) and a ThM in Old Testament from Westminster Theological Seminary. He pastors the Mabton Grace Brethren Church in Mabton, WA, and he teaches Biblical studies courses for the Ezra Bible Institute. Adam has been married to Susie for 14 years, and they have two sons and a growing family of foster children.