Creation and Covenant: The Significance of Sexual Difference in and for the Moral Theology of Marriage

This book articulates often latent and under-examined, but nonetheless significant, beliefs about sexual difference in the theology about marriage which has been dominant in the Christian west. Chapter one explains that patristic theologies of marriage rested on mostly implicit beliefs about sexual difference, and sometimes these beliefs were incompatible with one another. However, chapter two argues that Augustine developed a coherent theological anthropology of sexual difference, according it a shifting significance from creation to eschaton. Chapters three through five show that for the major subsequent pre-modern theologians, the significance of sexual difference was rarely the subject of direct discussion. Nevertheless, Augustine's most important successors both presupposed and occasionally developed his beliefs about sexual difference. Bernard of Clairvaux shows how sexual difference in marriage is privileged material for allegories of God's love; Aquinas emphasised the procreative significance of sexual difference; and the Reformers argued that because God made the sexes, marriage should be central to Christian life. Chapters six and seven study Barth and John Paul II, who each discuss sexual difference with a hitherto unknown degree of sustained systematic attention. Their anthropology and biblical exegesis is rooted in Christology, which leads them to conclude that humanity is created for fellowship, and that sexual difference is necessary for this fellowship. Chapter eight explains why certain contemporary and revisionist theologies of marriage, notably ones which seek a rationale for gay and lesbian marriages, are problematic. These contemporary theologies have not yet reckoned with theologically important and defensible claims about the meaning of sexual difference. The conclusion suggests that renewed clarity and selfconsciousness about the theological significance of sexual difference should strengthen any Christian ethic of sexuality and marriage, enabling the church to be more articulate in its dialogue with contemporary culture and science, and more coherent in its own internal practices.

Table of Contents:
I. Introduction; II. Five Early Theologians; III. Augustine; IV. Bernard of Clairvaux; V. Thomas Aquinas. VI. Luther; VII. Karl Barth; VIII. John Paul II; IX. Three proposals for the insignificance of sexual difference; X. Conclusion.

About the Author :
Christopher C. Roberts is Catherine of Siena Ethics Teaching Fellow at Villanova University, USA. Prior to this position, Roberts spent several years as Bill Moyers' research assistant and as a reporter for the PBS show Religion and Ethics Newsweekly.

Review :
."..Clear and compelling style befitting a former journalist...Roberts has taken his opponents seriously and has mostly treated them charitably..." Jason Byassee, Christian Century, June 17, 2008--, 'Roberts's analysis of the theological status of sexual difference addresses arguments about same-sex-partnerships that range well beyond academic boundaries.' The Revd Penny Seabrook, Church Times--, "Church Times " "Christopher Roberts explores with clarity and precision of argument... an important contribution to present debates... done with care but critical sharpness" "I am very grateful for this book, for its positive argument which will make any reader think again. It is a first class work of strong theology" Brian Haymes, The Baptist Times, October 2007--, "Baptist Times " "In a short review, all one can offer is a taste of the 'banquet of wisdom' that Barker sets before her reader... this is a book to be consulted again and again." Search, 2010--, "Search " "This is a brave and welcome publication....The book is written in an accessible and interesting style. Its tone is sensitive and balanced. The real strength of this study lies in the kind of questions it asks and in the author's commitment to finding out 'facts' before offering answers - it is an example of honest and valuable scholarship."--, "With this book, Roberts has tried to raise the standard of theological argument about same-sex unions, and in this he succeeds admirably." -Commonweal --, Creation & Covenant: The Significance of Sexual Difference in the Moral Theology of Marriage addresses some questions of Christian identity and morality which are extremely pressing in some developed societies in the present day.--, 'In" Creation and Covenant, " Christopher Roberts has done both church and society a great service. Not only does he brilliantly investigate the history of the meaning and importance of sexual difference in Christian thought, he shows its relevance for debates over same-sex marriage, ordination, inclusive language, and feminist claims about the distinctive experience of women. We cannot go forward with any of these issues in the future without Roberts' excellent guide to the past.' Don Browning, University of Chicago and author of" Marriage and Modernization" --, 'Sexual ethics and gay marriage - Creation and Covenant is essential reading for anyone who wants to think about these issues in light of the Western Christian tradition. Roberts helps us see and resist the Gnostic temptation that so dominates the moral imagination of modern culture...A very fine book - just the sort of patient survey of the classical tradition we need, and absolutely on target as far as the core theological issue is concerned. It's the sort of book that will be very helpful for teaching a seminar on sexual ethics.' R. R. Reno, Creighton University, and editor of the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible. "The question of the significance of sexual difference is at the heart of many divisions within contemporary society. It is producing hurtful tensions within all of the major Christian Churches....Roberts' contribution to the debate is forceful and scholarly, while always charitable. This powerfully argued case for the abiding importance of our sexual identity shows how rich can be the contribution of the Christian tradition to our society's present search to understand the meaning of our lives. Even those who do not accept all of the author's conclusions should be grateful for this beautifully written and profound book. It will help us all in our journey towards understanding who we are in Christ." Timothy Radcliffe, OP, former Master General of the Dominican Order--,