IRD believes that sexuality is a gift from God that is properly expressed through marriage, and marriage is to be affirmed and repaired by both church and society as the lifelong union of one man and one woman.
IRD has compiled the following data to assist individuals dealing with marriage and sexuality issues within their church. Links to external resources are provided to assist individuals research, but IRD is not responsible or necessarily endorse all material that can be found at these sites.
IRD's Mount Nebo Paper: Is Marriage Worth Defending? Read this comprehensive paper by Alan F.H. Wisdom.
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Marriage & Sexuality Resources:
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IRD Fact Sheets
A $1.2 million grant from the San Francisco-based Haas Fund has been designated to six Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) “mainline” church organizations. This grant will be received by these organizations over the next two years. Each of these organizations strives to alter church teaching on marriage and sexuality. Find out more information about them below.
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Articles
- Why is marriage so important: within the Church and Society?
Within the Church:
Repairing the Three-Legged Stool by James Tonkowich
The Truth about Living Together by James Tonkowich
Theology Matters- A Publication of Presbyterians for Faith, Family and Ministry
Let Marriage Be Held in Honor by Alan F. H. Wisdom
March-April 2005 Issues PDF Including- Five Rings & A Wedding, Sermon: The Holy Bond of Marriage, Sermon: A Christian Vision of Marriage, Sermon: Clothe Yourselves with Love
Within Society:
Paying the High Price of Divorce by James Tonkowich and Dan Anderson
Marriage, Religion, and Democracy by James Tonkowich
Marriage and Economic Liberty by David Murray
The Revolution in Parenthood: The Emerging Global Clash Between Adult Rights and Children’s Needs by Elizabeth Marquardt (international appeal sponsored by the Commission on Parenthood’s Future)
Love and… Marriage and the meaning of sex by Jennifer Roback Morse
- Does the Bible really condemn homosexual acts? What is a biblical response?
Dr. Edith M. Humphrey writes several papers, dealing with the issue of sexuality thoroughly:
Why this Issue?
Discussion Papers from a Dialogue on Same-Sex Unions: Anglican Diocese of New Westminster
What constitutes a faithful reading of scripture?
What is Disordered Sexuality?
How is Homosexuality Understood in Scripture, Tradition, and in Contemporary Theology?
What would it mean for the Church to Bless Same-Sex Unions?
Homosexuality: Rebellion Against God by Richard B. Hays
Homosexuality and the Church by Alex D. Montoya
What God Hath Not Joined: Why marriage was designed for male and female by Edith M. Humphrey
What’s Wrong with Gay Marriage? By Paul Copan, Ph.D (Ch 10 of When God Goes to Starbucks: A Guide to Everyday Apologetics)
Between Man and Woman: Questions and Answers About Marriage and Same-Sex Unions by the Committee on Marriage and Family Life of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Always Our Children: A Pastoral Message to Parents of Homosexual Children and Suggestions for Pastoral Ministers A Statement of the Bishops’ Committee on Marriage and Family
Homosexuality: Speaking the Truth in Love by Mardi Keyes
Theology Matters- A Publication of Presbyterians for Faith, Family and Ministry
The Duties of Love: A Christian Response to Homosexual Behavior by Jerry Andrews, Susan Cyre, James Edwards, Robert Gagnon, Ulrich Mauser
Responding to Pro-Gay Theology by Joe Dallas
- Does permitting same-sex marriage really have any effect on traditional marriage?
Beyond Gay Marriage by Stanley Kurtz
The End of Marriage in Scandinavia: The ‘Conservative Case’ for same-sex marriage collapses by Stanley Kurtz
Three and Four Parent Families: The next step on the slippery slope By Stanley Kurtz
The Confession: Have same-sex-marriage advocates said too much? By Stanley Kurtz
The Confession II: ‘Conservative’ proponents of same-sex marriage are about to overtaken by radicals by Stanley Kurtz
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Resources by Denominations, for Churches
Presbyterian Church (USA)
One by One Presbyterian Church (USA)
“Our mission is to equip and educate the church to minister the transforming grace and power of the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are in conflict with their sexuality.”
Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Harvest USA
“Proclaiming Christ as Lord to a Sexually Broken World”
Anglican Communion of Canada
Zacchaeus Fellowship
“Zacchaeus is a fellowship of men and women who hold to the church’s historic view on sexuality in the face of former or present struggles with same-sex attraction.”
Dr. Edith M. Humphrey writes several papers, dealing with the issue of sexuality thoroughly (Anglican):
Why this Issue?
Discussion Papers from a Dialogue on Same-Sex Unions: Anglican Diocese of New Westminster
What constitutes a faithful reading of scripture?
What is Disordered Sexuality?
How is Homosexuality Understood in Scripture, Tradition, and in Contemporary Theology?
What would it mean for the Church to Bless Same-Sex Unions?
United Methodist Church
Transforming Congregations
“Equipping the Church to Model and Minister Sanctified Sexuality”
Non-Denominational
Exodus International
“The largest information and referral ministry in the world addressing homosexual issues.”
“Mobilizing the body of Christ to minister grace and truth to a world impacted by homosexuality.”
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Books and Websites
Books:
The Meaning of Marriage: family, state, market, & morals
edited by Robert P. George & Jean Bethke Elshtain
The Case for Marriage: Why Married People are Happier, Healthier, and Better off Financially
by Linda Waite and Maggie Gallagher
The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics
by Robert A.J. Gagnon
Websites:
Monergism.com
Find numerous articles on homosexuality, church and marriage
Institute for Marriage and Public Policy
“Strengthening marriage for a new generation”
The Center for Marriage and Families at the Institute for American Values
The Heritage Foundation Issue: Marriage Promotion
Probe Ministries: Faith and Sexuality
Articles on Gender Issues, Homosexuality, Marriage and Family, Personal Development/Relationships, and Sexuality
Alliance for Marriage
More Children Raised in a Home with a Mother and Father
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Additional Writing by the IRD
Click Here to find additional writings on marriage.
Mount Nebo Paper: Is Marriage Worth Defending? by Alan F.H. Wisdom
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