Interfaith marriage is and will continue to be a reality in our society. Regardless of how our various religious traditions regard it, men and women will fall in love and marry partners of different faiths. Such marriages offer challenges and opportunities to both the couples and their faith communities.

While interfaith marriages have existed for quite some time, in the United States particularly, marriages across religious boundaries are increasing. The traditional norm of a same-faith, same-race, two-parent household with natural-born children is now but one of many family configurations in American society.

Just what is at stake when two people from different religious traditions marry? What should they consider? What should their families consider? What about children? And how should churches receive them?

This study will focus on only Christian-Jewish and Christian-Muslim marriages, with the hope that the discussion will shed some light on other interfaith relationships. In session 1, participants will identify the challenges and opportunities faced by those in interfaith marriages, their families, and the congregations to which they come. They will reflect on how they view such marriages and how they can relate to those involved in them. In the second session, participants will explore the views of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism regarding marriage and interfaith marriages. They will consider biblical perspectives on interfaith marriage and discuss the theological challenges such relationships raise.