Christianity and the Making of the Modern Family
This book is Ruether!s (theology, Garrett-Evangelical Seminary) self-professed  critique of the failure of the Christian Right!s  family values! campaign to embody an ethic of justice and reconciliation.  Highlighting historical Christianity!s paradoxical stances on marriage, celibacy, and women, Ruether argues strongly that the concept of the family has undergone many manifestations over time and that, when espousing  a return to family values,  the church stands more on cultural standards than theological truths. Ruether!s strength lies in presenting a comprehensive sociopolitical history of women and the family rather than in delineating corresponding Christian/clerical responses to changing social norms. She neither pits church doctrines against social claims nor explains how the church historically altered its vision with respect to the family. While it might sacrifice depth for breadth, this is still a highly readable and important political stab at timely theological and cultural questions for women!s studies and religion collections."Sandra Collins, Duquesne Univ. Lib., PACopyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.