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

Does sexual difference matter for marriage? Are there good theological reasons why the two main characters in a marriage should be a male and a female, or is marriage a more flexible covenant, which any two people can keep? Creation and Covenant analyzes latent but under-examined beliefs about sexual difference in the theology about marriage which has been dominant for centuries in the Christian west. The book opens by studying patristic theologies of marriage, which rested on mostly implicit and often incompatible beliefs about sexual difference. However, Roberts argues that Augustine developed a coherent theology of sexual difference, according it a shifting significance from creation to eschaton. Roberts traces how Augustine's theology influenced and was developed by subsequent theologians, such as Bernard of Clairvaux, Luther, Barth, and John Paul II. Finally, Roberts engages today's debates about gay marriage. Before becoming an academic, Dr. Roberts was a journalist. On behalf of PBS television, he covered both the Lambeth Conference in England and the World Council of Churches in Zimbabwe. During those years, he was disappointed by both the liberal and conservative arguments on homosexuality. Left-wingers seemed more interested in privacy, autonomy, and experience than in theology, and right-wingers seemed to have lots of prohibitions but little good news. In the final chapters, this book tries to do better, inviting liberals to improve the standard of their arguments, and explaining what is beautiful and persuasive about the traditional case.

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 Roberts is Catherine of Siena Ethics Teaching Fellow at Villanova University. 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 :
"With this book, Roberts has tried to raise the standard of theological argument about same-sex unions, and in this he succeeds admirably." -Commonweal "...Clear and compelling style befitting a former journalist...Roberts has taken his opponents seriously and has mostly treated them charitably..." "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." 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. "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 '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. "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 '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 "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