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Living in Love and Faith: Christian teaching and learning about identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage
Living in Love and Faith sets out to inspire people to think more deeply about what it means to be human and to live in love and faith with one another. It tackles the tough questions and the divisions among Christians about what it means to be holy in a society in which understandings and practices of gender, sexuality and marriage continue to change.
This book is one of the resources produced by the Living in Love and Faith project. Commissioned and led by the Bishops of the Church of England, it has involved many people across the Church and beyond. They bring a great diversity and depth of expertise, conviction and experience to exploring these matters by studying what the Bible, theology, history and the social and biological sciences have to say.
The book takes readers on a journey that begins with reflections on God’s gifts of life, relationships, marriage and learning. A survey of what is happening in the world with regard to identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage is followed by an exploration of how Christians are to understand and respond to these trends in the light of the good news of Jesus Christ. The book then examines the ways in which Christians seek to hear God and how it is that they draw different conclusions.
The book invites the whole church to use the Living in Love and Faith resources to learn together. It closes with an appeal from the Bishops to join them in discerning a way forward for the church that is open to new vistas on our disagreements and new perspectives on our differences.
This book is one of the resources produced by the Living in Love and Faith project. Commissioned and led by the Bishops of the Church of England, it has involved many people across the Church and beyond. They bring a great diversity and depth of expertise, conviction and experience to exploring these matters by studying what the Bible, theology, history and the social and biological sciences have to say.
The book takes readers on a journey that begins with reflections on God’s gifts of life, relationships, marriage and learning. A survey of what is happening in the world with regard to identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage is followed by an exploration of how Christians are to understand and respond to these trends in the light of the good news of Jesus Christ. The book then examines the ways in which Christians seek to hear God and how it is that they draw different conclusions.
The book invites the whole church to use the Living in Love and Faith resources to learn together. It closes with an appeal from the Bishops to join them in discerning a way forward for the church that is open to new vistas on our disagreements and new perspectives on our differences.
- GenresTheology
483 pages, Paperback
Published November 9, 2020
8 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
The Church of England
1,714 books14 followersThe roots of the Church of England go back to the time of the Roman Empire when Christianity entered the Roman province of Britain. Through the influences of St Alban, St Illtud, St Ninian, St Patrick and, later, St Augustine, St Aidan and St Cuthbert, the Church of England developed, acknowledging the authority of the Pope until the Reformation in the 16th century.
The religious settlement that eventually emerged in the reign of Elizabeth I gave the Church of England the distinctive identity that it has retained to this day. It resulted in a Church that consciously retained a large amount of continuity with the Church of the Patristic and Medieval periods in terms of its use of the catholic creeds, its pattern of ministry, its buildings and aspects of its liturgy, but which also embodied Protestant insights in its theology and in the overall shape of its liturgical practice. The way that this is often expressed is by saying that the Church of England is both 'catholic and reformed.'
The changes that have taken place in the Church of England over the centuries have been many and various. What has remained constant, however, has been the Church's commitment to the faith 'uniquely revealed in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds,' its maintenance of the traditional three fold order of ministry, and its determination to bring the grace of God to the whole nation through word and sacrament in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The religious settlement that eventually emerged in the reign of Elizabeth I gave the Church of England the distinctive identity that it has retained to this day. It resulted in a Church that consciously retained a large amount of continuity with the Church of the Patristic and Medieval periods in terms of its use of the catholic creeds, its pattern of ministry, its buildings and aspects of its liturgy, but which also embodied Protestant insights in its theology and in the overall shape of its liturgical practice. The way that this is often expressed is by saying that the Church of England is both 'catholic and reformed.'
The changes that have taken place in the Church of England over the centuries have been many and various. What has remained constant, however, has been the Church's commitment to the faith 'uniquely revealed in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds,' its maintenance of the traditional three fold order of ministry, and its determination to bring the grace of God to the whole nation through word and sacrament in the power of the Holy Spirit.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 20, 2020
This is an important and useful book, part of the process of discernment which the House of Bishops exhort all members of the Church of England to be involved in as we seek to discern what we should believe and do about human identity, sexuality, relationships, and marriage. The book is only one part of the process which also includes the Living in Faith and Love Course, available online.
The book is informative, exciting, encouraging, depressing by turns. Everyone should learn something from reading it. But will anyone change their minds about these contentious issues? Or will they go away from the book and the course simply confirmed in what they believed already?
There may be hope, because the single thing that has helped me to move on from the traditional certainties on which I once stood has been meeting, or hearing the experience of, gay and transgender people. I couldn’t close my mind to people’s real experience of marginalisation, victimhood, the freedom they experienced when they accepted who they were as God’s creations and God’s children. But will there be other people whose minds are permanently closed?
Watch this space.
The book is informative, exciting, encouraging, depressing by turns. Everyone should learn something from reading it. But will anyone change their minds about these contentious issues? Or will they go away from the book and the course simply confirmed in what they believed already?
There may be hope, because the single thing that has helped me to move on from the traditional certainties on which I once stood has been meeting, or hearing the experience of, gay and transgender people. I couldn’t close my mind to people’s real experience of marginalisation, victimhood, the freedom they experienced when they accepted who they were as God’s creations and God’s children. But will there be other people whose minds are permanently closed?
Watch this space.
April 18, 2024
This is the official teaching resource for the Church of England (CoE) mandated and prepared by the House of Bishops as a result of the outcome of the House of Bishops’ latest round of negotiations on how the CoE should respond to same sex relationships. Having seen the bishops’ actions since this book (launching the Prayers of Love and Faith and other motions in the general synods since), I went into this booking expecting very little.
In many ways I was pleasantly surprised. There was lots I liked about this book. It has many of the archetypal strengths of CoE practice: it is gracious, careful, measured, comprehensive (in scope though not depth), accessible, ecumenical, relational, experiential.
Stand out for me was the material in part 2 which assesses our current context on this issue from the perspective of society (chapter 5), science (chapter 6) and religion (chapter 7).
And yet the book also has many of the archetypal weaknesses of CoE practice: it is often wishy-washy, indirect, otiose, meandering, non-judgemental, visionless, shallow.
It sets up the debate in a reasonably comprehensive manner but then leaves you hanging, with no real evaluation of the arguments and no conclusions drawn.
But of course that was the intention.
The book itself is designed to be an education rather than a proposal. The proposal is to learn and understand the breadth of views in the CoE and to listen non-judgmentally and be open to having your mind changed. It doesn’t advocate for one view over another (per se).
And that is why the book ultimately fails.
The book itself admits that the role of the bishops is, in the language of the 1662 Ordinal: “be ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to God’s word; and both privately and publicly to call upon and encourage others to the same.”
This book is a relic to the failure of the Bishops to fulfill such a calling. And their actions since the release of the book have shown they have not only failed but gone further and abused their position.
As documented in this book, perhaps the main reason the CoE is in this mess is the failure of leadership in the CoE. Going back to at least the early 90s the CoE bishops have been in their majority liberals who ultimately have a low view of scripture, a truncated view of the gospel, and have led the church in capitulating to the culture. They have undermined the moral authority of the church and its ability to discipline its clergy, resulting in the widespread practice of false teaching and unrepentant sinful practice (even celebrating sin) in this area for decades. They have promoted self-expression over self-denial. Affirmation over alter calls. Cowardice over confrontation. Cultural assimilation over prophetic witness.
On the whole, a useful book for anyone interested in the current debates tearing mainline denominations in the West in two. Those within the Church of England will find it particularly useful.
There is much that is good and useful in this book. However, given how irresponsibly it deals with the most important task of expounding the biblical material that deals with the prohibition of same sex acts and evaluating the opposing views, sadly I don’t think I would be comfortable recommending this book to others unless they had prior familiarity with the arguments on both sides already. It is quite shocking that a book of nearly 500 pages only has 10 pages dealing with the relevant biblical passages!
A house divided cannot stand…
For a more detailed review by someone more capable than me, read: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
3.5/5.0
In many ways I was pleasantly surprised. There was lots I liked about this book. It has many of the archetypal strengths of CoE practice: it is gracious, careful, measured, comprehensive (in scope though not depth), accessible, ecumenical, relational, experiential.
Stand out for me was the material in part 2 which assesses our current context on this issue from the perspective of society (chapter 5), science (chapter 6) and religion (chapter 7).
And yet the book also has many of the archetypal weaknesses of CoE practice: it is often wishy-washy, indirect, otiose, meandering, non-judgemental, visionless, shallow.
It sets up the debate in a reasonably comprehensive manner but then leaves you hanging, with no real evaluation of the arguments and no conclusions drawn.
But of course that was the intention.
The book itself is designed to be an education rather than a proposal. The proposal is to learn and understand the breadth of views in the CoE and to listen non-judgmentally and be open to having your mind changed. It doesn’t advocate for one view over another (per se).
And that is why the book ultimately fails.
The book itself admits that the role of the bishops is, in the language of the 1662 Ordinal: “be ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to God’s word; and both privately and publicly to call upon and encourage others to the same.”
This book is a relic to the failure of the Bishops to fulfill such a calling. And their actions since the release of the book have shown they have not only failed but gone further and abused their position.
As documented in this book, perhaps the main reason the CoE is in this mess is the failure of leadership in the CoE. Going back to at least the early 90s the CoE bishops have been in their majority liberals who ultimately have a low view of scripture, a truncated view of the gospel, and have led the church in capitulating to the culture. They have undermined the moral authority of the church and its ability to discipline its clergy, resulting in the widespread practice of false teaching and unrepentant sinful practice (even celebrating sin) in this area for decades. They have promoted self-expression over self-denial. Affirmation over alter calls. Cowardice over confrontation. Cultural assimilation over prophetic witness.
On the whole, a useful book for anyone interested in the current debates tearing mainline denominations in the West in two. Those within the Church of England will find it particularly useful.
There is much that is good and useful in this book. However, given how irresponsibly it deals with the most important task of expounding the biblical material that deals with the prohibition of same sex acts and evaluating the opposing views, sadly I don’t think I would be comfortable recommending this book to others unless they had prior familiarity with the arguments on both sides already. It is quite shocking that a book of nearly 500 pages only has 10 pages dealing with the relevant biblical passages!
A house divided cannot stand…
For a more detailed review by someone more capable than me, read: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
3.5/5.0
February 28, 2021
Church of England commission publications inevitably have a feel of theology-by-committee about them and this one is no exception. What marks it out from others is that the authors are open from the start about their differences and indeed parade them. It is a long read and because it deals with sensitive and controversial topics the language is studiously neutral. Those looking for something inspiring or polemical will be disappointed. I did appreciate the care which this report has been put together. The decision to end each part with a series of anonymised "encounters" was a wise one and I hope that hearing those voices would challenge every one who reads them. I appreciated the careful way in which opposing views were expressed as "some of us thinks x, some think y" rather than "some think x, others think y". There are no others in this debate. It all some of us.
The report is well grounded in science, scripture and culture. Every now and then the arguments are halted to explore particular issues which were well done. It deserves to be read and engaged with and I hope that it is.
The report is well grounded in science, scripture and culture. Every now and then the arguments are halted to explore particular issues which were well done. It deserves to be read and engaged with and I hope that it is.
February 18, 2021
This was a duty read - and at over 400 pages it felt like quite a big one. Having read a fair bit from both sides of the discussion about sexuality within the Christian faith I also wondered what I would learn. However, I was impressed by this report’s balance and by the desire to approach the issue from the perspective of how to disagree well rather than who is right. I was left challenged to consider how well I am willing to affirm the arguments of those I disagree with rather than being bolstered in my own position. Of course that is problematic, but it is important.
April 9, 2022
This book is not Christian, it is heresy.
Genesis 2:24 could not be clearer how a man leaves his mother and father, cleaves to his wife and the two become one flesh. That is the only standard of God that marriage is between one man and one woman only.
The Bible could not be clearer and the Church of England needs to start taking its theology from the Word of God and not the world.
This is just a feeble attempt to justify and promote sin.
Genesis 2:24 could not be clearer how a man leaves his mother and father, cleaves to his wife and the two become one flesh. That is the only standard of God that marriage is between one man and one woman only.
The Bible could not be clearer and the Church of England needs to start taking its theology from the Word of God and not the world.
This is just a feeble attempt to justify and promote sin.
March 15, 2021
An almost painfully balanced account of the debate over the issues in the title, I found it informative with its eyes fixed firmly on Christ and Christian unity. Unfortunately, it's very easy to think that the end result of this debate will be another fudge that satisfies nobody, but time will tell.
December 29, 2023
I love the idea of this book, encouraging a discussion by sharing different viewpoints and experiences. It is a shame so much of the discussion hasn’t been this tolerant, but I really admire this resource. There is a lot in here and it’s not light, so it has taken a long time to absorb, possibly too long.
January 16, 2024
A useful book to help think through the issues around identity, sexuality, relations and marriage from a faith/Biblical point of view. Lots of information, and varying perspective. On the negative side it is a report which attempts to give fair balance to all views and so is long and not very easy to read.
February 20, 2024
This book is incredibly comprehensive but I am very grateful that it exists and that it’s free for anyone to download. It’s a comprehensive look at a divisive issue which manages to say a lot without judgement. Reading it wasn’t always easy, whatever side of the debate you are on the book will make you angry but if nothing else it’s a lesson in how to respectfully and peacefully disagree in love.
January 14, 2021
Sadly I found this book a pretty dismal read. A certain amount of ‘on the one hand’ and ‘on the other hand’ was inevitable and necessary in what is only intended as part of a big process. But I would have expected to leave it with feelings of challenge and excitement.
March 4, 2021
Brilliantly written. It has blown me away and I feel a greater awareness and at the same time a greater weight of the difficulty of what it means to live in love and faith. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
April 4, 2025
Written to open discussions on same sex marriage in the CofE at time the partisan language of the authors obscures the theology. It certainly got me thinking and has given me some context to help discuss the matter, but there are better books on the subject out there.
August 11, 2021
A helpful delve into the broad discussion about identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage in the Church of England.
May 20, 2022
Comprehensive and helpful. The conversations that have been transcribed in it don't really work though.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews