A Christian Marriage

Analytical Essay # 116002

Religion and Theology > Christianity
Religion and Theology > The Bible
Women Studies > Marriage

Re-interprets the concept of a Christian marriage as based on the biblical passage Ephesians 5:21-33.

1,905 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, over time, the interpretation of the biblical passage Ephesians 5:21-33, which compares a Christian marriage to the relationships of Christian to the Church in that the wife should be subservient to the husband, has changed. The paper relates that this old interpretation has done damage to the Church as it is not in keeping with the tone of the rest of the Bible. The paper further relates that, today, this passage has been re-analyzed indicating that it does not say that either husbands or wives are superior to each other but rather simply outlines the roles of this marital partnership.

From the Paper:

"As this passage comes to a close, it returns to how the relationship between husbands and wives is similar to the relationship between Christ and the Church. It states that "a man will leave father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh", which suggests that the husband and wife become joined as one. If this is true, however, then there would not be any subordination because there would only be one person present."

Sample of Sources Used:

Gide, Andre. The Immoralist. New York: Vintage Publishing. 1996
Hyatt, Eddie L. and Susan C. Who's The Boss? viewed 21 September 2006. http://www.godswordtowomen.org/studies/articles/boss.htm
McFarland, Ian A. "A canonical reading of Ephesians 5:21-33: Theological gleanings". Theology Today. Oct 2000.
Sumner, Sarah. "Bridging the Ephesians 5 Divide A fresh look at what this controversial marriage passage says--and doesn't say". Christianity Today. November 2005. P. 59.