Available April 2006

Competing answers to dilemmas involving love, sex, marriage, and family scream to us from nearly everywhere. The Redemption of Love reveals what the Bible has to say about these issues by applying the growing economic study of religion.

Using Genesis, Jesus, Paul, and the Song of Songs, Carrie Miles outlines a consistent description of biblical love throughout scripture, asserting that it is the only effective solution in today's battle to save marriage and family. This book is a valuable tool for clergy and laypeople.

ENDORSEMENTS

“So many books on marriage are saying the same old thing; this book by Carrie Miles is a fresh perspective. I learned from her focus on economics about the many ways our materialistic, capitalist culture puts a strain on families and draws us away from the wisdom of scripture. Her application of the Bible to our lives today is a welcome relief from the politics of hierarchy we hear all too often. In persuasive and clear tones, Miles argues for greater mutuality in marriage between men and women, and helps us see what it really means to put God first. Miles sets our hearts and minds back on the right course: mutual submission and married love that honors Christ..” — Alan G. Padgett, Luther Seminary

“In this candid and sensitive book, Carrie Miles shows how much of the 'traditional family values' were shaped by economic necessity. These values are not supported, however, by changing economic realities that in fact seem to support other values. Dr. Miles responds with a sophisticated analysis of biblical teachings on marriage, especially in the Song of Songs.” — Andrew Greeley, University of Chicago

“I regard this winsomely written, meticulously researched, hopeful, and wise book as a must-read. Dr. Miles has brilliantly connected an astute analysis of the relation of the pre-industrial economics of scarcity to traditional sexual divisions of labor and gender norms in the 'fallen world of thorns' with her insightful and persuasive readings of Genesis, the Song of Songs, and Ephesians. Many readers will find truly eye-opening her detailed investigation of the intimate relation between human survival and the focus of marriage changing from production to consumption. And her emphasis on the here-and-now consequences of redemption in Christ for marriage and sexual relationships is both theologically sound and wonderfully practical. This book can change your life and your marriage for the better.” — S. Scott Bartchy, UCLA

“Combining keen observations with sociological evidence, this book offers an understanding of the factors that have shaken the institutions of marriage and the family in modern societies and what can be done about it. Building upon both previous scholarship and a generous but responsible use of biblical writings, the author explains how we can be liberated from a self-centered 'economic' view of gender and sexuality relationships. The Redemption of Love calls for nothing less than a new ethics for marriage, gender, and family relationships, which in reality is a reaffirmation of biblical ethics. I look forward to using this well-written and insightful book in my gender and sexuality course.” — Jack Balswick, Fuller Theological Seminary

BRAZOS PRESS
256 PGS

	CARRIE MILES (Ph.D., University of Chicago) works as an organizational psychologist and consultant in Fairfax, Virginia. She is the executive officer for the Association for the Study of Religion, Economics, and Culture and senior research fello of the Consortium for the Economic Study of Religion.