The Biblical View of Marriage/ Marriage, Family and Relationships


Were you raised in a Christian home? If so, What are your views on marriage? What was modeled? What was accepted? What was expected in the home? Marriage between a man and woman right? Vows spoken of love, honor, trust, and image. Image of the Godly marriage and culture (man and woman) The normal and pride and true marriage, neatly tied up and presented as such. So, why is marriage between a man and woman? Why is that what Christians accept and expect? Is it because God say it in the Bible? Gen. 1:27, "God created man in his own image, He created them male and female." (Christian Standard Translation) God makes it clear that he created marriage between a man and woman end of story. No ifs, ands or but wait.......  Christian culture accepts and encourages this view. Think about it. The models of marriage messages in Christian culture are man and woman. Father walks down the bride (woman) to meet her future husband(man) to join in a holy union. Now all the Christian couples can forelock across a giant field, normal and heterosexual. Yay!!! My point?  First, of all, I am not bashing Christian marriage, nor am I implying that I endorse any other form of "marriage" I am saying that Christians have been conditioned and indoctrinated   to believe that marriage between a man and woman is the measuring stick for what we should aspire to be.  OK, Let's back up a minute and take a deep breath and  look at what Christian scholars have to say

First, Marriage in the Old Testament - It is Rooted in Creation. For example, "God created man in his own image to rule the earth for God. God created man first and he is given ultimate responsibility for the marriage relationship. While, the woman was the "suitable helper" (Kostenberger,  p. 23)  Second- Marriage is monogamous (Have sexual relations with own husband and own wife(1 Cor. 7:2) (Christian Standard Translation Bible ).  A wife does not have right over her body, but her husband does, In the same way a husband does not have right over his own body his wife does. (1 Cor. 7:5). Do not deprive one another expect when you agree for a time to devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together otherwise. (1 Cor. 7:5). (Christian Standard Translation Bible). I do not think this verse means that the husband or wife owns or has ownership of each  others  body, It means that the couple are to have sex within their marriage.  Sex is not the core of a married relationship.  I am not saying sex is bad, I am saying that having sex be the focus of being married is.  I think this is the problem with the secular culture, They think that sex is what being married is all about. When in truth, it is really about building a foundation and growing together. Whereas the secular view on marriage is the complete opposite of course. For example, It is encouraged to purse sexual desires without restraint, Promiscuity is widely promoted through the culture and Pologmony (more than one partner at a time)  and affairs as well are accepted. (Christian, George p. 1,397). 

Now let's look at the Martial Roles in the perspective of the Old Testament
"Men are to love and cherish their wives and to treat them with respect and dignity. (Gen. 1 and 2)  Men are the ultimate authority over the family and the wife. Women however are to have children, Manage the household, and provide companionship to the husband." (Kostenberger, p. 30 Chapter 2)  The scholars make the point to say man and woman. God makes it clear like, I said before Marriage is for men and women only.  It is a covenant a union of one flesh.  Finally, Marriage is according to (O'Donvovan is "A way of Comprehending  the love of Christ for his church." Marriage is God's design.

F.T.C. Disclaimer- "I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher Inter Varsity Press and I am only required to provide a review of the book not necessarily positive.  All opinions are solely therein my own." I am disclosing this in accordance with the F.T.C. CFR Title 16, Part 255, "Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."


MLA Reference Page

1. Kosenberger, Andreas J.
"God, Marriage and Family"
(Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation)
Chapter 2 "Leaving and Cleaving"
"Marriage in the Old Testament"
Pages 22-23

"Marital Roles and Responsibilities of Husbands Towards Wives"
p. 29

"The Roles  and Responsibilities  of Wives Toward Their Husbands"
p. 30

Crossway Publishing

Wheaton, IL.
2004.

2. "Marriage, Family and relationships"

(Contemporary   Perspectives)

Chapter 12 "One Man, and One Woman: The Christian Doctrine of Marriage"

O'Donvovn, Oliver

England, London

Inter Varsity Press,

2017.


3.  CSB Study Bible

Holman Bible Publishers

2018.

Christian Standard Translation














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