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The following review appeared in the Winter
2004 edition of "The Open Door", the newsletter of Bangor Theological
Seminary.
Same Sex Marriage?
By Marvin M. Ellison It is obvious that, for the foreseeable future, the issue of same-sex marriage will be of increasing interest and intense concern for many people. This brilliant book could not be more timely and should be ‘must’ reading for anyone who desires to engage the issue with knowledge and wisdom. Marvin M. Ellison is Professor of Christian ethics at Bangor Theological Seminary in Maine and an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The background for his book is his observation that most Christian faith communities have failed to engage the issue and been “reactive (‘just say no’) or conflict avoidant (‘just say nothing’).” He also finds it troubling that, while legal scholars have engaged the issue by “offering sophisticated ethical justifications to their position,” most Christians theologians have dealt with the issue in superficial ways, like quoting isolated texts from Scripture. He believes this state of affairs requires an “interdisciplinary ethical inquiry” bringing legal scholars and theologians into conversation. He pursues this inquiry in his book for the purpose of providing an “ethical analysis of the current debate which will incorporate both legal and theological insights about same sex marriage in the context of profound cultural change.” Ellison points out that the institution of marriage is in crisis today and provides an historical overview of the changes that have precipitated it. These changes have been fueled by urbanization, demographics, shrinking family size, an increase in nuclear families, the separation of sex and reproduction, changing needs and expectations of marriage. It is important, therefore, to have a working definition of marriage which can be the basis of discussion. He believes any definition of the meaning of marriage must include the “three interconnected aspects” of personal/relational, the legal/ civil and the religious/sacramental.”
He describes the perspective from which he views the relationship of marriage as “a justice lens.” He defines justice as “the never-ending project of setting wrongs right, strengthening connections that are respectful and fair among individuals and groups, and making communities more inclusive and welcoming of difference.” Seeing the “three interconnected aspects” of marriage through “a justice lens” he writes that he intends to “first to draw on feminist and queer/gay liberation wisdom to critique oppressive religious and social understandings of marriage and family; second, to explore how various parties link (or fail to link) love and intimacy with justice; and third, to develop a compelling case for ethical marriage as an honorable, though not exclusive, place in which LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender) can live responsibly as sexual persons.” He devotes cogent and balanced chapters (1) to examining and assessing the arguments of those who oppose same-sex marriage, (2) to exploring the positions, pro and con, of those who want to extend marriage eligibility to same sex couples and (3) to highlighting the debate of people in the LBGT community who disagree about the desirability of marriage for same-sex couples. He then turns to the justice issue which is the focus of the book, considering “how Christians might promote a desire for sexual justice by examining what Christians should, and should no longer, teach about sexuality, marriage and intimacy.” Same sex marriage? A concentration on this issue is a way of avoiding wrestling with “how church and society might better support adult intimate relationships and promote stable families in a world in which the composition of families is dramatically changing.” Dick Wheatcroft is Rector Emeritus of St. Francis Church, Houston, Texas, and a frequent contributor of book reviews for the Newsletter. A more complete review of this book is available online at www.tcpc.org.
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Bangor
Campus 300 Union Street, Bangor, Maine 04401 |
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