Marriage
From Neoredemptive
The first human institution, inaugurated by God Himself (Genesis 2).
Men, as husbands, are called to lead in their marriage by loving their wives sacrificially as Jesus Christ loves His Church and gave Himself up for her. In this way they are to be witnesses to who Jesus is.
Women, as wives, are called to honor and submit to their husbands as the Church is to submit to the loving leadership of Jesus Christ. In this way, they are to be witnesses to how the church is called to live.
God hates divorce. This does not mean that he hates divorcees or divorcers, and neither does it mean that we should. It does, however, mean that we are not to take our marriages lightly.
Married Sexuality
The western church has done a deplorable job formulating a theology of married sexuality, and as a result has done an equally deplorable job at educating, instructing, admonishing, and disciplining believers with respect to their love lives.
We are quick to exile the leader caught in adultery, but our track record of restoration of the repentant (2 Cor) and reconciling their marriages is abysmal.
Our pastors and counselors operate out of an unspoken assumption that women are more innately virtuous than men, and that men's stereotypical approach to and use of sex (lust, gratification) is intrinsically more sinful than women's (emotional bandaging and manipulation). This leads them to, for example, repeatedly revile husbands for not being communicative enough, sensitive enough, or helpful enough around the house, but refuse to reprimand wives for sexual manipulation or frigidity. We have warped faithfulness to mean that spouses don't screw around sexually and stay engaged emotionally while turning a blind eye to those who screw around emotionally and disengage sexually.
We need to celebrate sexuality and sensuality as in the Song of Solomon. We need to learn and celebrate our obligations in married sexuality (1 Cor 7).
"Gay Marriage"
A marriage between two men or between two women has no legitimacy within the church, because it does violence to the identity and roles of Christ and His church which are depicted in the covenant of marriage. God did not die to save Himself, as if He needed saving; likewise, the church is not saved by the sacrificial love of another church. Down such roads lie all flavors of foolishness and heresy.
Having said that, those who are currently in "gay marriages" are in need of the love of Jesus Christ and the compassion of the church. Let us seek to be both thoughtful and truthful as we engage with people who have been sold the strange notions our fallen world continues to devise.
Categories: Stubs | Sex | Gender Roles
