marriage Flashcards
Marriage
. A RITE formal, prescribed act in a religious observance. Within the rite there are certain rituals
RELIGIOUS RITES are performed/undertaken by believers to: Celebrate, Symbolize, 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.
• A Sacred Commitment
• A Sacrament (in some denominations)
• A Lifelong Commitment
• A Monogamous, Indissoluble (eternal/binding) and Faithful Relationship
• A Covenant Relationship – a model of the love which Christ has for God’s people
• A Vocation
• The foundation of the family and the Church
3 MAIN ASPECTS TO DESCRIBE
- 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.
describe
o Marriage solidifies the relationship between Jesus, the Church and individuals. The purpose of marriage is to provide a context for sexual relationships, mutual companionship, establishing a family unit and procreation Gen1:28 (to emulate God as a creator).
o Marriage is a significant and scripturally based rite of passage in Christianity, designed with a purpose to unite two individuals into one couple under the direction of God. The scriptural sources about marriage are found in both the old and new testament.
o In the Christian tradition, marriage is seen as a life-long, monogamous and heterosexual commitment which replicates the love of Jesus for the Church. In some wedding ceremonies a parallel is drawn between a husband and wife and the relationship between Jesus and the Christian church (Ephesians 5:31-32).
o This is shown by Genesis 2: 18, stating- “…it is not good for man to live alone, I will make a partner suitable for him…a man will leave his parents and cleave with his wife”, referencing the Christian belief that marriage is a rite of passage which transforms two individuals into a divinely bound couple.
o Agape Love: 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.
o 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.
o God’s infinite love is reflected in married love
o 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.
o Marriage is not a PRIVATE ceremony, but rather a PUBLIC RITUAL before the Christian community.
o A marriage should take place in a church simply because that is the place that has been sanctified by communal worship.
o The priest or minister DOES NOT MARRY THE COUPLE. Rather, he is the WITNESS of the church. The couple MARRY EACH OTHER. The priest/minister BLESSES the marriage.
o Marriage is a greater expression of public love than cohabitation.
