Biblical_Models_of_a_Healthy_Marriage_and_Family_Life

Describe the biblical models of a healthy marriage and family life, and compare contrast these with models prevalent in contemporary society. Support your findings from a variety of literature sources' Within this assessment I’ll depict the biblical models of a healthy marriage and family life; compared to other models prevalent in today’s contemporary culture. Within the Christian family the importance of God reins supreme within a contemporary family in most cases, it’s another god the takes prevalence; in most cases this is the reason why marriages, don’t withstand the pressure of time. Firstly, we should examine what the biblical model for marriage is, in order to gain a perspective of God’s divine intention for marriage; the most significant scripture verses for Christian marriage within a Christian belief are; Jesus Christ as the God head, (Eph. 4:13–16; 1 Timothy 2 1-15) ; do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, (2 Corinthians 6:14); the husband as spiritual head of the family, (Eph. 5:23); love one another, and preserve spiritual unity in peace, (Eph. 4:1–3). Balswick and Balswick, (2008) stated; that they build on the marriage and family relationships on four sequential but nonlinear stages which are covenant, grace, empowering and intimacy. They continue to say that that the family relationship will be either dynamic and maturing or dying and stagnant. The underling core is unconditional love. So, why is it important that within the healthy family context that covenant, grace, empowering and intimacy are functioning, if we once again address scripture we find that the greatest gift is love' (1 John 4:7) love encompasses all of the above (1 Corinthians 13). It‘s predominant that the relationships within the marriage continues to flourish under the covenant, without the covenant their is no sound structure in which to build the foundations of a healthy family (Eph. 5:33). God’s connection within the marriage is the area of devotion, with the couple it‘s discipleship and a display of faithfulness to God and each other. As the relationship progresses it requires the grace and love of God intertwining together their commitment to each other. This then becomes the foundation on which to build the family. In such a marriage, life-long durability will reflect the constancy of God’s love to his covenant family (Loewen, Howard. 1980). Within the boundaries of covenant, grace, empowerment, intimacy and unconditional love the family will nurture and develop strong relationships, these fundamental qualities of acceptance, esteem and interpersonal communication skills will launch each individual into growth and maturity in their prospective position within the family unit. (Balswick and Balswick, 2008) Mostly strong Christian families are protected from their trials but saying that they seem to manage their trials with a strength rooted in their faith, this faith is enhanced by their involvement within their church family. Churches whose framework instils values, unconditional love and commitment within a sense of community. Within most churches there is a wealth of cross generational relationships that are supporting and guiding one another within a bigger family. (Garland, D 1999) Families are a variety of households and different family systems. Unfortunately, within today’s society Christian values and morals are becoming obsolete, culture is addressing many changes in regards to family systems example; only child families; large families; single parent families; blended families; same sex families; adoptive parent families; and grandparent families each has there own set of value and principles, constraints and cultural restrictions.(Berryman; Power and Hollitt). Families have deteriorated immensely from God’s intentions for the family. The current world situations indicate that the family has lost, or almost lost, many of the meanings that once gave it authority and status. It’s economic, educational, protective, recreational, status-giving, and religious functions are displaced elsewhere in society. (Köstenberger,) The outcomes are new models and positions for each member of the family. Parental influences are destroyed and they have to now contend with the influence of external subcultures. Some marriages are now influenced by the positions placed on it to survive as both husband and wife take on major roles outside the family home. The position as head of the home has changed with new roles becoming more evident through family breakdown. Now the modern marriage/family “nuclear family” bound together only by its devotion to each other. Another title for this family is “companionship family” because the intimate interpersonal relationship is its primary function. The families focus is friendship instead of loyalty to each other as in the more traditional, institutional families. (Köstenberger,) The family is under siege because today’s society is free to do as it pleases without considering the other person they are also effected by both domestic and exterior dynamics, degeneration of society and disconnections of families. (Köstenberger,) This dilemma provides an appropriate context for hearing again the central biblical themes which relate to marriage and the family. (Köstenberger,) (Jer. 3:14). “Marriage is a divine institution not a mere human invention. Granted if marriage were no more than a human invention or a social experiment, then different types of marriage could have equal value. But that is not the case. Marriage is God’s creation and that means that God defines what it is. As human beings, we do not have the right to decide the kind of marital relationship we want— although that doesn't stop us from trying.” Lowery, Fred (2002,page 6) In conclusion, we need to ask is God’s design for marriage becoming an alternative. Within the biblical stance marriage is the utmost expression of covenant not only within the marriage, but also in our relationship with God. Christian marriage stands out rightly the ultimate gift not only to each other but as the platform for the children of these parents who uphold the covenant. It also speaks incredibly to the community where the desolation of marriage is so prominent. This marriage statement becomes a witness and encouragement to others that cry out for guidance. Contemporary culture feels they alone have the resources to survive the realities of modern life. But without God as the centre they are doomed to fail; God covenant must be the foundation if the family is to survive. When the covenant commitment of marriage is placed within the larger covenant between God and his people, then the sphere of the family will again be a witness to the meaning of covenant commitment. “Many waters cannot quench love” (Song of Sol. 8:6). Bibliography: Anderson, M. (1988). Counseling Families from a Systems Perspective. Highlights . Retrieved 17 05, 2010, from ERICDIGESTS ORG ERIC Clearinghouse on Counselling and Personnel Services Ann Arbor MI: http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-9211/counseling. html Balswick, J., & Balswick, J. (2008). The Family a Christian Perspective on the Contempory Home. U S A: Baker Academic. Berryman, K., Power, R., & Hollitt, S. (n.d.). Retrieved 17 05, 2010, from Socialisation within the Family: http://ehlt.flinders.edu.au/education/DLiT/2002/family/fmily. html Garland, D. (1999). Family Ministry: A Comprehensive Guide page9. InterVarsity Press. Köstenberger, A. (n.d.). THE BIBLICAL FRAMEWORK FOR MARRIAGE (Midwestern Lecture #2). Retrieved 17 05, 2010, from http://www.biblicalfoundations.org/pdf/pdfarticles/midwestern_2. PDF Loewen, H. ( 1980, July). Covenant Love: Theological Reflections on Marriage and the Family Vol. 9 No. 3. 3-10. Retrieved 17 05, 2010, from http://www.directionjournal.org/article/'354 Lowery, F. (2002). Covenant Marriage: Staying Together for Life Page 6. Louisiana USA: Howard Publishing Co Inc. Scripture References: Eph. 4:13–16; 1Tim 2 1-15 2 Cor 6:14 Eph. 5:23 Eph. 4:1–3 1 John 4:7 Eph. 5:33 Jer. 3:14 Song of Sol. 8:6