by Mark Achtemeier
Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, Ky. 137 pages
REVIEWED BY MARY HARRIS TODD
Christ’s family is in deep discussion about marriage: what it is and who can enter into it. With this book, evangelical pastor and scholar Mark Achtemeier adds his voice to the conversation in an accessible and humble way.
Achtemeier is not the first member of his own family to reflect deeply on marriage from a biblical perspective. In 1976 his mother, Elizabeth Achtemeier, published a book titled “The Committed Marriage,” which has long been my go-to reference on the subject. Like his mother, Mark Achtemeier reverences God, cherishes the Bible and gives meticulous attention to many texts while keeping the whole of Scripture and Christ himself in view. Both conclude that God designed marriage to help our human love grow into the image of God’s self-giving love for us, and both stress covenant commitment as the hallmark of Christian marriage. Although Elizabeth Achtemeier observed the intimacy and long-lasting commitment of some homosexual couples, she saw this as an inadequate substitute for heterosexual marriage and not in accord with God’s original intentions. Mark Achtemeier started out with a similar viewpoint, but he is now convinced that homosexual couples can fulfill God’s purposes for marriage as well as heterosexual couples. God gives the blessings and responsibilities of Christian marriage also to them.
Friendships with gay and lesbian disciples of Jesus are what prompted Achtemeier to begin to question his absolute certainty about homosexuality. He heard story after story of men and women who wanted above all to follow and serve Jesus and who struggled with same-sex attraction. For years they begged God to take away these feelings and they worked hard in an attempt to change. Yet instead of leading to the abundant, joyous life promised to those who abide in Christ, their faithfulness to church teaching led them to self-loathing, despair and estrangement from God. Shaken by the brokenness he saw, yet also amazed by the peace of those who had managed to come to terms with their sexuality, Achtemeier began reexamining the Scriptures and the church’s teaching.
Achtemeier outlines key principles of responsible biblical interpretation and he points out the dangers of drawing conclusions based on isolated Scripture verses. Then he works his way systematically through passages related to love, marriage and sexuality. He summarizes God’s intentions for marriage before turning to all the texts that speak of some kind of same-sex activity. He finds no connection between the violent, exploitive, idolatrous and out of control behaviors spoken of there and loving, committed same-sex relationships. He also explores texts showing God working outside of God’s people’s expectations. For example, the living Word himself became flesh scandalously outside the norms of conventional marriage. In Calvin’s radical reinterpretation of the biblical law against usury, Achtemeier finds a precedent for fresh interpretations like his own that overturn conclusions that had previously seemed self-evident. He also considers how couples can bridge the gap between scriptural ideals for marriage and the flawed realities of our everyday lives.
What is committed, Christian marriage? The family discussion continues. Coming out of deep, prayerful searching, Mark Achtemeier’s voice is a helpful one as Christ’s sisters and brothers listen to Scripture, and to each other, and for the word of God.
MARY HARRIS TODD is pastor of the Morton Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Visit with her at The Mustard Seed Journal.
