Equality and the Family

In the current Commonweal, I review Don Browning's Equality and the Family: A Fundamental, Practical Theology of Children, Mothers, and Fathers in Modern Societies.  It's only available online to subscribers, but here's an excerpt:

Browning’s theological method of cultural engagement does not signal religion’s capture of public policy, as feared by those who cry “theocracy” whenever Christian views are aired in debates about the family, marriage in particular.  Instead, theology is one source by which to “create a public philosophy about marriage.”  While marriage is not solely a religious institution, the covenantal and sacramental quality of its religious dimension can be one theme that helps capture marriage’s centrality to personal identity and the social order.  Our public philosophy, according to Browning, must also recognize marriage as a natural institution that satisfies and directs a wide range of natural human inclinations, as a contractual institution between two consenting adults, as a social institution that contributes to the public welfare, and as a communicative relationship that requires a high degree of interpersonal skill and sensitivity.  Browning helpfully broadens the public conversation by reminding us that the multifaceted role of marriage demands that we utilize a broad set of historical, religious and social scientific sources.  Maintaining a rich public understanding of marriage is hard work, but abandoning the project creates a void that is quickly filled by the concept of marriage as a private contract, which itself exacts a significant personal and social cost.