[Ben]

What do you think are the main symptoms and causes of these marriage problems? Maybe make a quick list?

[Ben]

Marriage in the NT

1. Sermon on the Mount
2. Mt 19:3-12 Jesus answers the Pharisees’ question on divorce, likely based on a controversial interpretation of Deut 24:1-4. He references Genesis 1 (v.4) — where humanity is created in God’s image as male and female. He makes an appeal to Yahweh’s creator-authority then connects this immediately to Genesis 2 (skipping the woman-origin story) saying the same creator said they will form a new family unit and become one flesh. He then prohibits man separating what was joined by God’s authority. When the Pharisees’ object appealing to Moses, Jesus says Moses permitted it “because of the hardness of your hearts.” Jesus is rightly pointing out the Deut 24 law is permissive, not prescriptive. In fact, divorce is not legally instituted anywhere in the Law, though rules are given to govern man’s apparently established practice which had evolved after “the beginning” where God’s pure creative intention was revealed. It’s interesting that this section is followed directly by the blessing of Children — at least one way that marriage becomes “one flesh” — and the command to be like them to enter the Kingdom. Next, it’s The Rich Young Ruler whose moral-of-the-story is reward for giving up spouses and children among other things. If we take this as a whole teaching, these second two sections would add to marriage two important ideas. (1) “They were like two kids again” — pursuit of the Kingdom in marriage requires the freedom of dependence on God like children and perhaps an open-hearted joyful acceptance and innocence. (2) Marriage and family do not supersede Jesus and his Kingdom in priority and must be aligned through sacrifice and submission to following Jesus.