Gay Marriage: Analysis Of Newsweek's Article
Post 1: The Beginning
Post 2: Journalistic Integrity
Post 3: Bible And Marriage
Post 4: Homosexuality and the Bible
Post 5: Remaining Issues
Dr. Darrell Bock is Research Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He also is Professor for Spiritual Development and Culture there. He is an Editor at Large for Christianity Today and is a Past President of the Evangelical Theological Society (2000-2001). He is the author of over twenty books and is a New York Times Best Selling author. He has been blogging on this site since May, 2006.
I am not convinced that the personal relationship is so "western." 2 Cor 5:16-21 speaks of being reconciled to God. The child of God is adopted, which is certainly a relational metaphor (Gal 3-4). So the imagery and idea is fromthe Bibel (John 1:12- the right ot be called a child of God, certainly a relational familial theme). Islam has God so distant from us that these categories are difficult convey initially. This personal level of relationship with God is a shock of sorts to many muslims, but is part of the point of God relating to us in an incarnation (Heb 2:14-16).
Hope these brief remarks help.
dlb