Patterns of Change
In the rapidly changing social climate of the late-twentieth century, the churches continue to insist on outdated rules of sexual conduct in the mistaken belief that these are unchanging and unchangeable. In fact, over the past 2000 years the attitudes of Christians to human sexuality and its expression have changed markedly and changed often. Yet in the heat of contemporary debates about sex, marriage and women, few within the Christian community or outside it acknowledge the extent of such changes.
Certain key moments in church history, such as the debate about the marriage of the clergy during the Reformation, demonstrate how changing circumstances have forced the Church to alter its mind. In more recent times the increasing acceptance of contraception, divorce and homosexuality have confronted the Church with new challenges. This authoritative study will free modern readers from a simplistic belief in an unchanging Christian sexual ethic.
