Bible & Theology Course for the Laity, DVK, Bangalore

Full Reports on the Bible & Theology Course - 2004

Introduction

The Bible is "a real bible" of marriage! It is full of verses on authentic married life and family life. It gives insight into the roles and obligations of partners. Jesus speaks of why a person should marry and why one should not divorce. The New Testament talks of marriage several times. The Old Testament too refers to marriage on a few occasions.

Some examples of the Bible's reference to Marriage and Family Life:

• Gen 1:27-28
• Gen 2:24-25
• Tob 8:5-9
• 1 Cor 7:1-40
• Eph 5:21-33
• 1 Thes 4:2-7
• Mk 10:2-9

Marriage and Family Life: Gen 1:27

"God created humankind in his image
In the image of God he created them
Male and female he created them."

God (a) / created (b) / humankind (c) / in his image (d)
In the image of God (d) / he (a) / created (b) / them (c)
Male and female (?) / he (a) / created (b) / them (c)

Thus, male and female should be (d); that is, "God's image".

Marriage and Family Life: Gen 2:24-25

Gen 2:24: "...therefore, a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh."

• God creates the male first (Gen 2:7)
• He realizes the inadequacy of the solitary life (Gen 2:18)
• He brings the animals to Adam as possible companions
• They offer relationship of some kind, but not authentic fellowship
• God then provides a new and true companion authentically and equally human (Gen 2:23: "...bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh!")
• The coming together of man and woman constitutes a unity (Gen 2:24: "...they become one flesh.")

Marriage and Family Life: Tob 8:5-9

Tobias and Sarah praying:

• v.5: "Blessed are you, O God of our ancestors, and blessed are your name in all generations forever. Let the heavens and the whole creation bless you forever."
• v.6: "You made Adam, and for him you made his wife Eve as a helper and support. From the two of them human race has sprung. You said it is not good that the man should be alone; let us make a helper for him like himself."

St Paul on Marriage

• 1 Cor 7:1-40
  • v.3: "The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband."
  • v.4: "The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does."
• Eph 5:21-33
  • v.31: "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."
  • v.32: "This is a great mystery, and I am applying in to Christ and the Church."
  • v.33: "Each of you, however should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband."

St Paul was a champion of equality for men and women.

Bible on marriage   Jesus on marriage   God as foundation
Sexuality&Marriage   Church's teachings on sexuality
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