What God Hath Joined Together

What God Has Joined Together is founded on the words of Jesus. This book explores the marvelous conceptual definition of marriage with seven distinct elements. The authors name these seven concepts: the principles of personhood, paradise, equality, "help meet" companionship, leaving, cleaving, and sexuality. Hopefully, loving couples desiring deeper passion, love, contentment, and fulfillment will discover anew the joys of paradise restored through the wonderful grace of covenant-commitment, forgiveness, and faith. At the same time the reader can discover Bible-based guidance for young couples and Biblical hope and restoration for threatened homes.

Writing in alternating chapters, Pam and Terry interweave their story with an analysis of how mandatory celibacy has crippled the Catholic Church, sapped it of many gifted and dynamic priests, and divided the Catholic faithful around the world.

Gay marriage has become the most important domestic social issue facing twenty-first-century Americans -- particularly Americans of faith. Most Christians are pro-marriage and hold traditional family values, but should they endorse extending marriage rights to gays and lesbians? If Jesus enjoined us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and the homosexual is our neighbor, does that mean we should accept and bless gay marriages? These and other, related questions are tearing many faith-based communities apart. Across the country, states have voted, courts have debated, and churches have divided over the legitimacy of same-sex marriage. Amid the uproar one perspective is decidedly missing: that of thoughtful, pro-marriage Christians who, informed by their faith, are struggling to make sense of this issue. What God Has Joined Together? is an effort to bridge the divide between marriage-supporting and gay-supporting people of faith by showing why both sides have important things to say and showing how both sides can coexist. Drawing on scientific research as well as on the Bible, the authors explain that marriage is emotionally, physically, financially, and spiritually beneficial for everyone, not just heterosexuals. They debunk myths about sexual orientation, assess claims of sexual reorientation, and explore what the Bible does and does not say about same-sex relationships. The book ends with a persuasive case for gay marriage and outlines how this can be a win-win solution for all.

Much has been written about marriage from the sociological and psychological point of view and as an object of civil and canon law. But in terms of systematic theology this treatment of marriage as a sacrament may very well be unique. Every effort has been made to keep the text from becoming too academic while at the same time providing the average educated reader with a wealth of original insights into the "mystery" of marriage: in creation and as transformed by Christ. Chapters cover sacramental consent, bond, and covenant as well as the quest for the sign. Such thorny problems as the role of faith in the sacrament, marriage with an unbaptized person, the most pressing ecumenical questions and the relationship between the sacrament and contraception are studied in depth. Finally, the "sacrament of family" is treated at some length with an eye to its social and redemptive dimensions.

This book is a personal testimony that reveals God’s plan to restore all things to Himself as stated in the first chapter of Ephesians, “ ... that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth.” The reconciliation of our marriage represents the value God places on the marriage covenant, both in the earthly realm and in the eternal realm according to His eternal purpose.

Editor H. Wayne House introduces a lively debate on varying Christian views of divorce and remarriage. Contributors include J. Carl Laney, William Heth, Thomas Edgar and Larry Richards.

Historically, Christians have been divided on the issue of divorce and remarriage; many institutions and theologies coming down on the side that it is adultery to remarry while one's former spouse is still alive. This is consistent with the words of Jesus in Matthew and the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans. Others stand by the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians where he clearly declares that it is not a sin to marry again if you were "put away" (abandoned or divorced) by an unbelieving spouse. There seems to be a conflict in Scripture regarding divorce and remarriage. You do not have to pick a side to the exclusion of the other. There is a marvelous harmony in the Word of God. In this book you will see Scripture in all of its glorious consistency, and you will appreciate the divine logic. The subjects of divorce, remarriage and adultery have confused both Christians and their pastors alike. In this thorough exegesis of all the Bible texts concerning divorce and remarriage, Michael Pearl answers these issues with the Word of God, revealing the perfect harmony in Scripture and God's divine plan for marriage. This is not a lecture or a diatribe against those who are divorced. If you are a pastor or counselor you will find this book to be a great tool to instruct those who are troubled by this subject.

In this book, I attempt to re-examine relationships in light of scripture for the purpose of revealing some misunderstood truth about relationships. I hope to provide the reader with a view of Relationship in light of how God would have us view it from a spiritual perspective. A relationship is the process of becoming one in unity with each other. It cannot be done by man alone even as a world view. A healthy relationship is a spiritual relationship. We need to look deeper into the word of God for understanding what God has joined together, not just in marriage but in our entire lives. In our society today we want to take what God has created and make it work our way. When it comes to a relationship we selfishly replace that responsibility with our personal desires. We are expecting the relationship to work under our control and understanding, giving no thought to the fact we really have no foundation for that relationship to stand. Even in considering the things that are most valuable to us in a relationship, the appearance, personality, character, money, sex or even intelligence are not foundations for a relationship. They may be valuable to us but not enough to base our lives on. They are not even stable themselves because nothing stays the same but God. When we have our own values and put them in the place of righteousness we will never be able to see or understand the truth. Our feelings and our values combined are a deadly combination for making decisions morally or ethically if not guided by the principles of God. Therefore, In a Relationship we should consider a required commitment with the understanding of what that means spiritually and physically. A relationship must be about oneness and with love. In order to understand a relationship we need to understand God’s will for our lives.