Whatever you may think about it, same-sex marriage matters to the church and to the future of our society. It is becoming a reality to America, and we need to know how to respond. Sean McDowell and John Stonestreet take on the issue in a fresh and practical way in their book, Same-Sex Marriage: A Thoughtful Approach to God’s Design for Marriage.

They begin by providing a helpful overview of what just happened to our culture. Then they provide both biblical and secular analysis to the issue of same-sex marriage. While it is important to know what God thinks about marriage, it is even more helpful to show why traditional marriage is important even if you don’t accept the Bible and its teachings. There are good secular arguments for traditional marriage.

Consider these three undeniable facts of reality. Sexual intercourse between a man and a woman brings babies. Societies have a vested interest in the process that produces children. Numerous studies demonstrate that children fare better when cared for by their biological mothers and fathers. Put simply: sex makes babies; society needs babies, and babies deserve mothers and fathers. That is why societies have recognized and managed these three truths, both culturally and legally.

In the second part of the book, they talk about what we can do for marriage. They say we should learn from the success of the homosexual movement that radically changed America’s thinking about same-sex marriage in less than two decades. They also believe that Christians should repent of bad attitudes. We should repent of telling inappropriate jokes that dehumanize gays and lesbians or treating people differently because of their sexual orientation.

Their final chapter provides lots of practical suggestions for everyday questions. What if a gay friend, co-worker or family member announces that they are getting married to their partner? Fortunately, they provide practical and biblical answers to questions we will have to consider in this new cultural and social environment.