CHRISTIANITY - marriage Flashcards
1
Q
marriage
A
Marriage = a sacred commitment involving the lifelong union between a man and woman, identified as a rite of passage both as a religious celebration and legal institution. It is a monogamous, indissoluble and faithful relationship, reflective of the Covenant with God, so that the continued foundation of the family and the Church can be promoted. The marriage ceremony is the process of publicly acknowledging a commitment to this relationship.
- Christian marriage is considered a reflection of the union between Christ and the church
- Marriage allows believers to procreate as directed in Genesis (Gen 1:28 ‘Be fruitful and Multiply’)
- The couple says vows declaring love and commitment to each other before their family, friends and God.
2
Q
background to marriage
A
- From a legal viewpoint, marriage is regarded in Australia as a civil institution irrespective of whether the ceremony takes place in the Church or at a marriage registry. Therefore, there are civil laws governing marriage in Australia.
- Must be 18years old.
- All couples require a marriage licence which can be obtained from the Registry of Births, Death and Marriages. When the couple applies for this licence they have to state on the application form where they intend to get married. The location of marriage cannot be altered once the marriage licence has been issued. The licence is valid for up to three months.
- The marriage must be witnessed by two people over the age of eighteen. Once married, the couple receives a marriage certificate and a copy is forwarded by the wedding celebrant to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
- The many different denominations of Christianity have a great number of variations in the marriage ceremony. Even within a denomination (e.g. Catholic) the eight rites have different practices.
- Christian marriages take place under the guidance of a celebrant or presider
- Most Christian marriages take place in a church building although many are being held in spaces such as forests, parks, beaches and natural settings.
3
Q
religious rites
A
Rite = a formal, prescribed act in a religious observance – within the rite there are certain rituals.
RELIGIOUS RITES are performed/undertaken by believers to :
• Celebrate
• Symbolise
• Make present their central beliefs
• Are a method by which members of a religious community celebrate what is important in their lives
• An important medium for bringing the individual and the group into contact with the transcendent.
4
Q
significance of marriage to christians
A
- It recognises the instruction given in Genesis that humans should be fruitful and multiply
- Mirrors the relationship of Jesus and his church- a relationship of love and sacrifice.
- For the church it is an acknowledgement of a commitment between 2 people in the sight of God and the community.
5
Q
love
A
AGAPE = the greatest love
- means unconditional love; “love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31)
- The love of a husband and wife is like the love Christ has for his Church, and they are therefore called upon to love one another as they would love themselves. The Greatest Commandment –first is Love your Lord God with all your heart and your soul and mind and all your strength. The second is love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other greater commandment.
- Scriptures also make it clear that parents have an obligation to bring their children up in a loving, Christian environment.
6
Q
theology of christian marriage
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- God’s infinite love is reflected in married love
- Marriage is seen as the highest vocation you can be called to…..
- Quote: John 15:13 No greater love than to give your life for your beloved.
- Quote: Hosea 2:19 I will espouse you to me forever.
- The highest vocation one can be called to
- A reflection of God’s infinite love
- Scripture plays an important role – when gathered assembly listen to the word, it is as if God is speaking
- A way of bringing the individual and community in contact with the transcendent
- A covenant – the highest type of bond in the Bible
- Allows the couple to go forth and multiply
- An act of religious observance
- Vocation for individuals
7
Q
principal beliefs of christianity
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- life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
- revelation
- salvation
- divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ
- nature of God and the trinity
8
Q
marriage and principal beliefs
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- Death & resurrection – marriage vows (till death do us part)
- Belief in the trinity – expressed through the sign of the cross, circling the table 3 times, prayers, hymns, blessings, holy spirit is present through the lighted candles in the church (Orthodox hold candles and Catholics light two candles to form one)
- Divinity & humanity of Jesus – scriptures and Eucharistic prayer
- Revelation – shown through the scripture readings, wedding at Cana turning water into wine reminds couple that Jesus is always present at weddings
- Salvation – minister blesses the couple granting them the fullness of life in the kingdom of heaven
9
Q
significance of marriage to individual
A
- Elevates the mundane to the supernatural. Marriage = Covenant with God. Marriage allows for deeper spiritual meanings between the couple and God. Every aspect of the couples’ relationship is meant to reflect the love Christ has for his church, so that even the most mundane events of life, the love the couple has for each other deepens their relationship with God. This is exhibited in the Wedding of Cana, in which Jesus performed his first miracle of changing water into wine. (Jn 2:1-12). This is reflected in the ceremony when the gospel reading is recited (Catholics and Orthodox).
- Structures the lives of the couple. Prior to marriage they are both single with responsibility just for themselves. Now married they share the same home and they have ongoing responsibility for each other and for their children. Responsibility grows.
- Commences way of holiness. Marriage is a sacred and life long union of a man and a woman who give themselves to each other in trust and love. Their relationship should reflect the everlasting love that God has for the Church through Christ. Through marriage, the couple express their love and service of God through their love and service of each other.
- Following God’s will – holiness – salvation – eternal life. The individual creates stronger links with God.
- Installs an ethical framework
- Vows commit to a moral marriage. The couple will. Raise children according to Christian ethics.
- There is commitment (sharing ones faith) to each other and also to God. This life-long commitment to marriage is demonstrated through the Christian vows
o Support partner
o In sickness and in health
o Love and honour - The ring is a sign of fidelity (faith)- always a commitment to God. A ring is a covenant (loving agreement) between man and woman, there is no beginning or end
- The couple move into a partnership (2 become one) Gen 2:24. They become one flesh and allows for sexual union = new family. The practice of Marriage in Christianity is therefore a vehicle and visual expression of the individuals intention to carry on the tradition.
10
Q
significance of marriage to community
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- It’s a celebration of the community - A means of identification with the community of believers. It establishes an ongoing link with the denomination. Linked with denomination through marriage, children’s baptism and education.
- Strengthens the community of believers. This happens through the prayers that the congregation say for the couple about to be married. They affirm their Christian beliefs, and the central beliefs about marriage are made clear through the rite itself.
- A means of reflection. On the couple’s participation within Christianity and their ultimate purpose as human beings, to grow in holiness through their relationship.
- Acknowledges, supports and encourages the human conditions of suffering, joy and bereavement. This is particularly clear in the marriage vows “for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”
- Declare their faith to the community and builds community. Everybody there to support the couple. Strengthens communal ties. The prayers and blessing encourages communal participation. It’s a public service where the community bare witness. It promotes unity within the church and encourages shared expression of faith.
- When a couple marry in the Christian Church, the ceremony speaks of love, permanent commitment, fidelity, openness to children and perseverance in good time and bad.
- It is these qualities which make marriage a unique relationship.
- There is no other human relationship which requires so total a commitment between two people.
11
Q
how christian rite of marriage makes present the central beliefs of the tradition
A
- Circling – Orhtodox – trinity, circle has no end
- Vows – Commitment
- Gospel Readings – reinforce the principles and values of marriage
- The nuptial blessing brings out two themes of Catholic marriage: that a husband’s human love for his wife is a model of the love which Christ has for God’s people- the Church, and that marriage is a relationship based on faithfulness which is plain for all to see.
- Marriage Contract – symbol of the legal component
- Prayers – prayers bless the couple
- Bride wearing white – symbol of purity
- Veil – symbol of modesty, purity and reverence for God
12
Q
marriage in sacred writings
A
- Marriage imagery is used over and over in the scriptures to help us understand God’s loving plan for creation.
- The Bible begins with the story of the creation of man and woman as partners made in the image of God and it concludes with the wedding feast of the Lamb in the book of Revelation (19:5-8)
- Mark’s Gospel clearly stated the ideal of Christian marriage. His language uses the creation story in Genesis 2, which depicted the ideal peace that humans could enjoy, a oneness of male and female. Adam and Eve became ‘one flesh;, a single person in marriage:
13
Q
importance of scripture to marriage
A
- Old and New testament both reveal the depth of God’s love for his people – in a Christian marriage ceremony, the readings reflect this love.
- When the gathered assembly listen to the word, it is as if God himself speaks
OLD TESTAMENT
- Both Old and New Testaments provide insights into how the ancient Jews and later the early Christians understood marriage. There can be little doubt that the majority of Jews of Old Testament times and Christians in the early Church were married, as marriage receives a good deal of attention in the Scriptures.
- The Jewish people likened marriage to the covenant God made with them at Mount Sinai. God’s words, spoken by the prophets, drew upon metaphors that likened the Covenant with the Chosen People to that of a husband with his wife. Unfaithfulness to God was likened to adultery. The Jews, therefore, saw beyond marriage as an institution merely necessary for the survival of the human race, and developed the notion of marriage as a sacred relationship.
NEW TESTAMENT
- Jesus developed this image of marriage as a sacred covenant. He applied the image of the bridegroom to himself and the relationship of marriage to that which he had with his followers. While Jesus was with them the disciples could rejoice in his presence. There was no need to fast. Jesus promised that the kingdom of heaven would be like the happiness experienced when meeting the bridegroom.
- “While the Scriptures present many images of marriage, there is no … unified set of ideas or concepts”.- F.S. Fiorenza and J.P Galvin, Systematic Theology: Roman Catholic Perspectives,
Fortress Press Minneapolis, 1991, Vol II, p.316
- However, these images present a profound insight into God’s relationship with human beings and the relationship between man and wife. Knowledge that human relationships should mirror God’s relations with human beings has influenced the growing understanding of the theology of marriage within the Catholic Church from early times (cf. F.S. Fiorenza and J.P Galvin, Systematic Theology: Roman Catholic Perspectives, p.317).
- Marriage was a common reality at the time of Jesus of Nazareth. It is highly likely that the apostles (or at least some of them) were married. The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) record Jesus at Peter’s house being told that Peter’s mother-in-law was ill in bed. Jesus went in and ‘touched her hand and the fever left her’ (Mt 8:15; cf. Mk 1:30, Lk 4:38).
14
Q
variant perspective on marriage
A
ORTHODOX CHURCH
- the marriage begins at the entrance of the church, where the promises of marriage are made and the rings are exchanged.
- The spiritual meaning of the marriage is expressed when the couple process into the church.
- Readings, which explain the meaning of marriage, are read at a table or lectern in the centre of the church.
- The couples hold lighted candles during the service of the word. The priest then places crowns or wreaths on the heads of the couple.
- The Gospel reading is that of the marriage feast of Cana. After the Gospel and prayers, a cup of wine is given, and the couple drink from the one cup.
- The bride and groom then join hands and a led by the priest three times around the centre table.
BAPTIST CHURCH
- there is no set marriage service, and there is great freedom about it, but there are three main parts to the service.
- The introduction begins with a hymn and a talk about the meaning and purpose of marriage.
- The couple then declare that they do not know of any reasons why they should not be married. This is followed by prayer.
- The second part of the marriage ceremony is called the Covenant. Here the promises of marriage are given and received. The couple join hands. Rings are given and the couple are declared married.
- The third part of the service consists of the service of the Word. Scripture is read. There is a sermon. There are prayers for God’s blessing on the marriage.
- The service ends with a hymn and a blessing.
ANGLICAN CHURCH
- banns are declared on the three Sundays preceding the wedding. Banns involve asking the congregation if they know of any reasons why the couple should not be married.
- The service begins with a procession of the bride to the altar where her father or another suitable person presents her to the groom. Readings are taken from the Bible.
- There is an explanation of the meaning and purpose of marriage. The couple make their promises to each other, and a ring is given to the bride as a sign of the marriage.
- They kiss, and then the parish registers are signed, and the registrar is present to register the marriage legally if the priest or vicar is not himself a registrar.
- The couple process out of the church before the congregation. (Some wedding ceremonies include Communion - this is known as a nuptial Eucharist.)
CATHOLIC CHURCH
- the bride processes (escorted or unescorted) to sanctuary where she is presented to the groom and the couple are greeted by the priest.
- The greeting and opening prayer are then recited, followed by a reading scripture.
- The priest then reads the Gospel.
- There is a homily, where the priest talks about the Christian meaning of marriage.
- The couple now assemble at the altar, where they state their free consent, their desire to love and honour each other for life and to accept children lovingly from God.
- The groom and bride in turn recite the marriage vows –
- I (name) do take thee (name) to be my lawful wedded -wife / husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.
- Rings are exchanged and the priest accepts their mutual consent and declares them husband and wife.
- This is followed by a nuptial blessing, the signing of the marriage register and the procession of the newly wedded couple down the aisle of the church.
- There is the option of including the liturgy of the Eucharist in the wedding ceremony. When the liturgy of the Eucharist is included in the ceremony, it is called a nuptial mass.
15
Q
elements of a christian marriage
A
- Inside a Church
- Opening hymn or song
- Procession of the Bride - Bride is presented to groom
- Homily or Sermon delivered by the Minister/Priest which represents God
- Readings from Scripture.
- Rite of consent to marriage
- Exchange of Wedding Vows, joining hands during vows
- Drinking wine from the cup (Catholic/Orthodox/Anglican
- Nuptial Mass)
- Blessings and exchange of Rings.
- Readings from Scripture
- Blessing over the couple
- Marital kiss.
- Prayers.
- Signing of the marriage contract/register
- Minister and Community as witnesses.
- Closing hymn or song
- Process out of the Church
