Explain the concerns that the Pentateuch raises about intermarriage with gentiles and explain how some of the other books of the Jewish Scriptures begin to modify the Mosaic laws that are concerned with intermarriage.

DISCUSSION QUESTION

Write your first paper on one of the following topics. The papers should be at least 2000 words. Use citations from the appropriate texts to support your arguments

1. Explain the concerns that the Pentateuch raises about intermarriage with gentiles and explain how some of the other books of the Jewish Scriptures begin to modify the Mosaic laws that are concerned with intermarriage.

2. Explain the Catholic conception of the sacrament of marriage concentrating particularly on the concept of consent. Explain what Catholics believe are the good and necessary elements of a marriage.

3. Explain the Christian conception of the nature of love as it is revealed in the First Letter of John. Compare the ideas in the First Letter of John with M. Scott Peck’s notion of the nature of love. Explain how these ideas about love are relevant to Christian marriages. Also explain why Peck believes that people often confuse certain types of desire with love.

4. Explain what Gary Thomas in his book Sacred Marriage sees as the central purpose of marriage. What does he say that individuals should do in marriage so that this central purpose is fulfilled? What virtues does Thomas say are developed in a good marriage?