Marriage and sexuality are some of the most hotly debated topics today, with differing opinions on the meaning and function of gender, sexuality, marriages, and divorce. In this course, we examine the biblical bases across both Testaments that underlie a Christian framework of marriage and sexuality. This framework is then applied onto the topics of gender equality, divorce, and same-sex attraction, offering handles on living out a gospel-centred vision for sexuality in our world today. Completing this course provides both a theological and practical foundation for understanding and discussing issues surrounding marriage and sexuality, and for loving those who struggle with such issues.
* Guidebook included
Self-paced
39
4 hours
Wesley is associate professor of New Testament at Western Theological Seminary, Michigan and an ordained minister. He is the author of Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality , Paul and the Trinity: Persons, Relations, and the Pauline Letters, Spiritual Friendship: Finding Love in the Church as a Celibate Gay Christian, and The Lord's Prayer: A Guide to Praying to Our Father. He contributes regularly to periodicals such as Christianity Today, and has spoken at Wheaton College and Dallas Theological Seminary.
BGST aims to bridge the gap between vocation and theology; we offer a thorough and systematic training programme for the whole people of God. This serves to help them live out their Christian faith in their vocations and be more effective in serving God, whether they are professionals in the workplace or Christian ministries.
Guidebook for the Course
1-1 Assumptions about Scripture
FREE PREVIEW1-2 Significance of the 'Image of God'
1-3 Humanity as 'male and female'
1-4 The three Augustinian goods of marriage
1-5 The Fall and its effects
2-1 Paul's background and pre-Christian framework
2-2 Paul's new Christian framework
2-3 The basis of Paul's ethic
2-4 Paul on sexual immorality in the church
2-5 Paul's rationale for sexual purity
2-6 Applying Paul's teachings on sexual immorality
2-7 Believers out of step with their baptism
3-1 Mirror reading and Corinthian theology
3-2 Corinthian 'slogans' and Paul's responses
3-3 Summing up Paul's approach
3-4 Counsel for married and single believers
3-5 The right expression of marriage
3-6 The opportunity afforded by celibacy
3-7 Consequences of Paul's discussion
4-1 Jesus' theology of marriage
4-2 Jesus' teaching on celibacy
4-3 Jesus' teaching on the eschatological transformation of marriage
4-4 An eschatological framework for marriage and singleness
5-1 Grounding sexual ethics in the Gospel
5-2 'Equality' of the sexes
5-3 Authority and benevolence in hierarchical relationships
5-4 From dominance to mutual subordination
5-5 Working out the principle of reciprocity
5-6 Complementarianism and egalitarianism
5-7 Divorce and remarriage
5-8 Pastoral approaches to supporting marriages
6-1 Wesley's testimony on same-sex attraction
6-2 Arguments in favour of same-sex unions
6-3 A biblical and realistic understanding of sexual identity
6-4 Behaviour versus attraction
6-5 Prayer and healing for those with same-sex attraction
6-6 Perspectives on singleness
6-7 The need for friendship and community
6-8 A robust understanding of same-sex attraction
Wesley Hill
