What God Has Joined Together, The Christian Case For Gay Marriage,David Myers and Letha Scanzoni

"Gay marriage has become the most important domestic social issue facing twenty-first-century Americans -- particularly Americans of faith. Most Christians are pro-marriage and hold traditional family values, but should they endorse extending marriage rights to gays and lesbians? If Jesus enjoined us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and the homosexual is our neighbor, does that mean we should accept and bless gay marriages? These and other, related questions are tearing many faith-based communities apart."

Subtitling your book as 'The Christian Case For Gay Marriage' is an inflammatory prospect considering the difficulty in convincing many Christians that there's a case for gay anything, let alone marriage. Thankfully this is a book that is by an large an altogether subtler and more nuanced tome that the title suggests - albeit one with a very specific axe to grand.

Starting on the supposition that the two sides of the argument (reduced down to conservative Christians and liberal everything's) can be convinced through logic and reason seems a more challenging idea than the actual argument. As the authors freely acknowledge most people's opinion is made up in advance and they choose the arguments that reinforce that stance. Despite the overwhelming evidence (both scientific, psychological and biblical) to reinforce their case it's unlikely that anyone who seriously stands opposed to homosexuality will be convinced by reason - but it does provide a wealth of arguments for those who would take up that battle to those who choose to ignore it.

Setting the argument within the context of years of church-science battles (astronomy, global warming, contraception, women) and the changes to biblical marriage that have been accepted (divorce, interracial partnerships, female roles) they create a compelling argument in favour of strengthening marriage by welcoming gay couples that can be sold as a conservative and liberal victory.

It contains a great breakdown of actual evidence, philosophy and biblical teaching about homosexuality and marriage, whilst never descending to platitudes. Definitely worth picking up if you want a way to advance the conversation past 'Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve'.

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