THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IN MARRIAGE
The church’s teachings on marriage have been influential because they clarify the church’s understanding of the institution. For Christians, marriage is a holy relationship between a man and a woman for the sake of offspring, financial security, and the public declaration of affection (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:6-9; Witte Jr., 2015). The church’s view of marriage is inspired by this concept, which places a premium on sacrifice, loyalty, and devotion within the context of a committed and loving partnership.
Despite changes throughout time, many married couples still view their church as an important institution. When it comes to starting, keeping, or ending a marriage, the church has always been an important resource for counsel, support, and a feeling of belonging for both individuals and their families. Using both historical and modern instances, this article will examine the numerous ways in which the church has impacted marriage.
The church has also had a major impact on marriage law by creating guidelines for how marriages might be formed and ended. The early Christian church established a system of canon law to regulate marriage, including the conditions under which a marriage may be considered legal, the reasons for which it could be declared null and void, and the rights and obligations of each spouse (Witte Jr., 2015). For the church to have a hand in regulating marriage and seeing to it that its members follow the teachings of Christianity, a legal framework was necessary.
The church has always played an important role in the lives of married people beyond its legal responsibilities. The church has long worked to aid married couples by providing them with pastoral counseling, pre-marital education, and marriage enrichment programs (Kusner et al., 2014). These efforts have been especially crucial during periods of rapid societal change, when new cultural norms and expectations have added stress to already-tense marriage bonds.
Historically, the church’s impact on marriage has extended beyond its own members to affect cultural norms and perspectives on the institution. Church teachings on topics like the sanctity of marriage and the significance of a lifetime commitment have helped shape a cultural norm that places a premium on marriage as an essential part of adulthood (Cherlin, 2009). Public policy and legal frameworks have been shaped by this norm, further emphasizing marriage’s significance in people’s lives and societies.
Particularly with regards to topics like divorce, remarriage, and same-sex marriage, the role of the church in marriage has been a contentious and hotly contested topic in recent years. It has been argued that the church’s stances on these topics are no longer relevant or in line with modern ideals, while defenders of the church’s teachings insist that they reflect eternal truths that should continue to inform our perspective on marriage (Witte Jr., 2015). Despite these differences, many married people still look to their local church as a place to find fellowship and advice as they navigate the ups and downs of married life.
through sum up, the church plays a wide and varied part in marriage, from premarital counseling through marriage counseling to marriage breakup. The Church has influenced the institution of marriage via its teachings, legislative frameworks, and pastoral care in ways that are consistent with its conception of the holy nature and purpose of the relationship. The church’s traditional position in marriage has changed throughout time, and its future function is still up for question. Nevertheless, many married couples and their families still hold a deep respect for the church.
References:
Cherlin, A. J. (2009). The Marriage-Go-Round: The State of Marriage and the Family in America Today. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Kusner, K. G., Mahoney, A., Pargament, K. I., & DeMaris, A. (2014). Sanctification of marriage and spiritual intimacy predicting observed marital interactions across the transition to parenthood. Journal of Family Psychology, 28(5), 604-614.
Witte Jr., J. (2015). The Western Case for Monogamy over Polygamy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
