C. Norman Kraus

On Being Human (eBook, ePUB)

Sexual Orientation and the Image of God

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

Too often the biblical passages governing sexual morality are interpreted in simplistic, proof texting ways that take no account of the cultural gap between ancient Israel and the modern world. And too often the official positions of churches are determined by opinion polls and majority votes rather than a sober theological and ethical assessment of the issues involved. A third way is called for that avoids the errors of both naive fundamentalism and the Bible-dismissing zeitgeist--a way that puts theological reflection at the forefront. This little book aims to provide a theologically informed, biblical approach to help Christians find a new way forward in their dialogue over questions surrounding homosexuality. It deconstructs the Augustinian theological tradition that has defined, evaluated, and regulated sexual behavior in the western Christian traditions. Kraus maintains that the doctrine of the creation (rather than the doctrine of sin) must be the framework for understanding sexuality and sexual desire. He argues that the basic justification for erotic physical intimacy is the fulfillment of God's original intention for human community (shalom). Beginning with the definition of "the image of God" as a social symbol that mirrors the Trinity, Kraus calls the church to reflect that trinitarian image as it is seen in Christ. He argues that this stance at the very least calls the church to empathetic inclusion of the GLBTQ community in its ongoing discernment conversation, which, of course, means full participation in its life.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Wipf and Stock Publishers
• Seitenzahl: 130
• Erscheinungstermin: 7. Oktober 2011
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781621890713
• Artikelnr.: 55268158

Autorenporträt

With his wife, Ruth, C. Norman Kraus served under Mennonite Board of Missions in short-term assignments and for seven years in Asia and Australia (1980-1987). It was during this time that the present book was written.

He has served on the Mennonite Board of Missions' overseas committee and has gone on teaching missions to churches in India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, and various East African countries. He was also a member of the Health and Welfare Committee of the Mennonite Board of Missions for five years.

Kraus has taught at the following seminaries in Asia: Serampore Theological College (1966-67) in India; Union Biblical Seminary (1983) in Pune, India; Eastern Hokkaido Bible School (1981-86) in Japan; and Baptist Theological College of Western Australia (1987).

Prior to his assignment in Japan, Kraus was a professor of religion and director of the Center for Discipleship at Goshen College. He was also book review editor of the 'Mennonite Quarterly Review'. A student of both Anabaptism and Evangelicalism and its origins, he is the author of 'Dispensationalism in America' (John Knox, 1985).

A native of Newport News, Virginia, Kraus earned graduate degrees from Goshen Biblical Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary (Th.M.), and Duke University (Ph.D.). In addition to numerous articles, he is the author of 'The Healing Christ' (Herald Press, 1971), 'The Community of the Spirit' (Eerdmans, 1974), 'The Authentic Witness' (Eerdmans, 1979), and the editor of 'Evangelicalism and Anabaptism' (Herald Press, 1979).

In 1950, Kraus was ordained as a minister in the Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference. He has moved to Virginia, where he is a member of the Park View Mennonite congregation and interim pastor (1990-91) of Community Mennonite Church, both of Harrisonburg, Virginia. He and his wife, Ruth, are the parents of five grown children.

At present Norman and Ruth are at home in Harrisonburg, where is is continuing his writing.