This timely book, by one of the world’s leading theologians in this field, makes a positive theological contribution to present intellectual and practical discussions about families and children.

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• Explores the intellectual and practical debates about the changing nature of family forms, roles and relationships, and how Christian faith and theology can contribute to the thriving of families and children.
  
• Considers the causes and consequences of changes to families over recent decades.
  
• Utilizes the theological resources that are best equipped to deal with these changes and to shape ethical teaching, ethical practice, moral judgements, and public policies.
  
• Develops family-friendly readings of scripture, tradition and doctrine, and moves forward theological treatment of marriage, gender and children.

• THEOLOGY AND FAMILIES 6
  • Contents 10
  • Preface 12
  • Part I Sources 14
    • 1 Beginning with Real Families and Children 16
      • 1.1 Family Forms 16
      • 1.2 Global Upheavals 20
      • 1.3 Theological Responses 26
      • 1.4 Theology and Families: Arguments and Themes 34
    • 2 The Bible in the Service of Families 38
      • 2.1 Families Then and Now 38
      • 2.2 The Bible and Critical Familism 46
      • 2.3 Family-Friendly Readings 56
    • 3 The Teaching of Jesus about Families and Children 64
      • 3.1 The Teaching of Jesus about Families 64