Marriage (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Notes
Marriage in Christianity
What is Christian marriage?
Marriage holds a central place in Christian teaching and is viewed as much more than just a legal agreement between two people. For Christians, marriage represents a sacred bond that reflects God's love and involves divine blessing. It is considered a covenant relationship that brings together a man and woman in a lifelong commitment before God and their community.
The Christian purpose of marriage
Christians believe that marriage serves three fundamental purposes, each reflecting God's design for human relationships:
The Three Key Purposes of Christian Marriage:
- Companionship and support - Deep friendship and partnership
- Sexual relationship and family life - Proper context for intimacy and creating children
- Lifelong commitment and social stability - Permanent vows that strengthen society
1. Companionship and support
Marriage provides a deep friendship and partnership between husband and wife. This mutual support helps both individuals grow spiritually and emotionally, creating a bond that strengthens them through life's challenges. The relationship offers comfort, understanding, and shared experiences that enrich both partners' lives.
2. Sexual relationship and family life
Christianity teaches that the proper context for sexual intimacy is within marriage. This sacred aspect of the relationship is seen as God's gift to married couples, allowing them to express their love physically and, when blessed, to create new life through having children. The family unit that may result becomes the foundation for raising children in a loving, stable environment.
3. Lifelong commitment and social stability
By making permanent vows before God, married couples provide stability not just for themselves but for society as a whole. This commitment demonstrates moral behaviour and creates a secure foundation for family life. The permanence of marriage reflects God's unchanging love and provides an example of faithful commitment to the wider community.
Biblical teachings on marriage
The Christian understanding of marriage is firmly rooted in Biblical teaching, particularly the creation account in Genesis. The Bible emphasises that marriage should be monogamous - between one man and one woman - and intended to last for life.
Key Biblical Teaching - Mark 10:6-9:
"But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but they are one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
This passage shows that marriage was part of God's original plan for humanity and that the union creates something new - two people becoming "one flesh" in a spiritual and physical sense.
The phrase "what God has joined together, let no one separate" emphasises the permanent nature of marriage in Christian teaching.
Christian beliefs about marriage
Marriage as a sacrament
Most Christians view marriage as a sacred ceremony in which God is actively involved. The wedding service includes prayers, blessings, and vows made in God's presence, showing that this is not merely a human agreement but a spiritual union blessed by God. Many Christian denominations consider marriage to be a sacrament - a special ceremony that conveys God's grace.
A gift from God
Christians believe that marriage is part of God's loving plan for humanity. It is seen as a precious gift that allows people to experience deep love, companionship, and the joy of creating life together. This perspective makes marriage something to be treasured and protected rather than taken lightly.
Lifelong commitment and faithfulness
The Christian ideal of marriage involves making promises that last until death. This commitment provides security and demonstrates the kind of faithful love that God shows to humanity. Even when relationships face difficulties, Christians are encouraged to work through problems rather than give up, reflecting God's patient and forgiving nature.
Alternative Christian Vocations: While marriage is highly valued, Christianity also recognises that some people may have different callings. Some Christians believe they have a vocation to remain single and dedicate their lives entirely to serving God, perhaps as monks, nuns, or in other forms of ministry.
Non-religious attitudes to marriage
Not everyone views marriage through a religious lens. Humanists and other non-religious people often see marriage as a meaningful commitment between two people who love each other, but they don't necessarily involve God or religious beliefs in their understanding.
These couples may choose to have civil ceremonies rather than religious services, focusing on their promise to each other rather than seeking divine blessing. For them, marriage represents a secular commitment based on love, mutual respect, and the desire to build a life together. While they value the institution of marriage, they understand it as a human creation rather than something ordained by God.
Marriage vows and their meaning
The traditional Christian marriage vows capture the essence of the commitment that couples make to each other. These promises are typically spoken publicly during the wedding ceremony:
Traditional Christian Marriage Vows:
"I, [name], take you, [name], to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forwards; for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish; till death us do part; according to God's holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow."
Breaking down the vow components:
- "To have and to hold" - expresses the desire for closeness and intimacy
- "For better, for worse" - acknowledges that life will bring both joy and difficulty
- "For richer, for poorer" - shows commitment regardless of financial circumstances
- "In sickness and in health" - promises care during times of illness or weakness
- "To love and to cherish" - expresses both deep affection and treasuring the other person
- "Till death us do part" - emphasises the permanent nature of the commitment
- "According to God's holy law" - recognises that this is a sacred promise made before God
Some couples today choose to write their own vows or modify traditional ones, but the core elements of lifelong commitment and mutual love remain central to Christian marriage.
Key Points to Remember:
-
Marriage serves three key purposes: companionship and support, sexual relationship and family life, and providing lifelong commitment for social stability
-
Biblical foundation: The creation account in Genesis and Jesus's teaching in Mark 10:6-9 establish marriage as God's plan for one man and one woman in a permanent union
-
Sacred commitment: Christians view marriage as more than a human contract - it's a sacrament blessed by God that creates a spiritual bond between two people
-
Traditional vows: The marriage promises cover all aspects of life ("better or worse, richer or poorer, sickness and health") showing the comprehensive nature of the commitment
-
Different perspectives exist: While Christians see marriage as religiously significant, non-religious people value it as a meaningful secular commitment between loving partners