Analysis What is Marriage and Family from Christian Perspective

The authority of scripture has special emphasis for Christian living as the true, inspired Word of God. One of the most powerful passages in the Bible that express the authority of scripture is 2 Timothy 3:14, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching and for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” The Bible is written by a variety of people which narrates the acts of God in a way that is accessible to all. Scripture is flawless and perfect because it comes from a perfect God whose inspired words are illuminating and infallible. Richard L. Mayhue suggests, “To understand and accept the fact of God’s authority is a simple as accepting the fact of God Himself.” God ‘s authority in Scripture is expressed in Matthew 28:18, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” God’s authority is original and fundamental to the “nature of how God displays His authority.”

Continuing on in 2 Timothy 3:15, Paul refers to “the sacred writings,” which most likely corresponds broadly to the Old Testament.” This draws a distinct correlation between OT and NT teachings and doctrines and is proof that God speaks through all scriptures for the purpose of salvation.

An alarming trend for the church today is dismissal of accepting the authority of scripture. To counter this trend, Christians need to speak biblical truth by asserting that the authority of scripture is permanent and “an inescapable element of Christian theology.” Those proclaiming to be Christians today seem to lack the ability to accept the “Bible as the Word of God for humankind to which we should all give total allegiance.” There is a quickness to accept only certain parts of the Bible and not allow scripture to change our thinking. The New Testament gives us the perfect example that we should receive the word of God as holy, just and full of truth as reflected in John 1:14 when “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Finally, 1 Thessalonians 2:13 points to the irrefutable truth of God’s authority, “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also preforms it’s work in you who believe.” It is impossible to be a Christian without receiving and understanding that the Word of God “is something that God says, something that God does, and something that God is.”

Marriage and Family

The book of Genesis has much to say about marriage and family beliefs. God is clear that “marriage then is, according to scripture, a sacred bond that is characterized by permanence, sacredness, intimacy, mutuality and exclusiveness.” God’s Word is clear in Genesis 2:24 “That is why a man leaves his father and his mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Marriage is a divine covenant given to us by God “as an essential building block of a healthy state and the Church.” God’s teachings involve an order which God established right from the creation. This is evidenced in Scripture when God created land, animals, and man. Genesis 1:27, “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.” God’s order, his divine teaching is that marriage is between a man and women and deserving of God’s blessing. The Bible speaks to God’s order in Corinthians 14:33, “For God is not a God of disorder but of peach, as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.” God’s design for a covenant marriage is evidenced in New Testament scripture when Jesus speaking to crowds in Judea states, “Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together” in Mark 10:9. God’s wisdom and words and work did not end with the Old Testament, he sent His Son, Jesus to affirm that God’s Word is true.

Going back to the beginning in Genesis, God also reveals his biblical teaching about families and children. Genesis 1:22 states “God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; the fill earth and subdue it.” Husbands and wives are to have children and God reminds his people of this teaching again “after the Flood, to Abraham after the birth of his son and when he sent his Son.” God wants Christians to obey his commandments and teachings and to share these with our children. The words of the Jeremiah demonstrate God’s sovereignty over all in the passage of Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” It is God’s design that Christians know His Word, teach His Word and preach His Word to all nations. “It is incumbent upon the church to educate both itself and the larger culture on God’s intentions for marriage.”

Sadly today, there are many in who wish to redefine God’s Word on marriage and families. “Scholars even speak of the postmodernist marriage that, according to them differs entirely from the traditional Christian idea of marriage.” The Bible teaches that marriage is sacred and Genesis 2:24 stipulates man and women shall be married then it’s clear that “Heterosexuality is the only possible arrangement for marriage as the Creator has commanded.” Thus, a marriage between same sex people would never be endorsed by God.

In conclusion, it is important for all to understand the biblical foundation of marriage is a deeply spiritual covenant of which its significance is demonstrated in the Kingdom and in society.