The related themes of households and families figure prominently in the New Testament. On various occasions Jesus taught about marriage, divorce, and more general familial relations. Paul likewise preached about families, extended families, figurative families, and codes of conduct for those inhabiting the same household. Peter provided direction to the church regarding relations between husbands and wives and parents and children. James counseled church membership to treat one another as “brothers” and “sisters.” Jesus, Peter, and Paul also taught about the important contributions single members and widows make in the kingdom and such household complexities as mixed-faith marriages or relationships between slaves and masters. Thus, the New Testament contains much counsel on household conduct, familial relationships, and belonging to “the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

We are grateful for the good work of the Religious Studies Center team: Jared W. Ludlow, Devan Jensen, Annalyn Douglas, Sam Lambert, Erica Smith, Carmen Cole, and Brent Nordgren.

Lincoln H. Blumell

Jason R. Combs

Mark D. Ellison

Frank F. Judd Jr.

Cecilia M. Peek

Devan Jensen

Beverly Yellowhorse

2022 Sperry Symposium Committee