THE FAILURE OF MARRIAGE

The failure of the institution of marriage is one of the most serious developments of the last forty years. The family is the cornerstone of our society. When the family erodes and deteriorates the society is going to follow. Our society is actively dismantling marriage. When marriage is tossed aside to the curb the family disintegrates. Divorce has become commonplace. I can remember being in elementary school in the 1960’s and hearing the shocked whispers that the parents of one of the kids in our class were getting a divorce. Today, families are so splintered and complicated that it is refreshing to a teacher to have a student who comes from a traditional, nuclear family! Even Christian marriages are breaking up with fearful regularity.

The entire concept of marriage is questioned by our society. It is seen as a manmade institution which reflects the logical development of evolution and civilization. People see it as no more than the legalization of a natural human drive, an instinct, an impulse. It is called outdated. It is despised as a Puritanical, religious institution that no longer serves postmodern society.

Christians believe marriage was created and instituted by God. We say that our marriages are directed by God and that we are instructed in marriage by his word. We believe marriage reflects the relationship of the Holy Trinity. We profess that marriage also images the relationship of Christ and his church. What does the Bible say about marriage? What does it teach us about our roles and relationships in marriage? Will the teaching of the Bible help me to have a happier and more successful marriage?

Ephesians 5:22-33 is one of the best known passages of scripture about marriage. Paul addresses the roles and attitudes of Christian wives and husbands. He talks about the spiritual significance of marriage. He compares the relationship of the husband and the wife to the relationship between Christ and his church. This passage is often read at weddings. However, it is often quickly forgotten and it is frequently misunderstood and abused.

Ephesians 5:22-24: “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.”