Defining Marriage

Webster’s dictionary defines marriage as…

Well, does it really matter how Webster defines marriage? Merely a man-made list of words, a dictionary’s definitions are subject to change as our culture transforms.

Yet “…the word of God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)

For a more accurate description of marriage, I prefer searching the Bible, a historically accurate and error-free text written by the Creator of this timeless and sacred institution. Our perfect God has no need to modify His definition to suit the ebb and flow of society throughout the ages.

“God made them male and female. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” Mark 10:6b-8a

God speaks through three key figures over the course of approximately five thousand years to confirm marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman who physically and emotionally unite to become one flesh. God first makes this statement on marriage in Genesis; Jesus confirms it in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark; Paul restates it in the book of Ephesians.

Additionally, various books in both the Old and New Testaments provide clear familial roles, including specific duties of the husband and specific, but often different duties of the wife. While nowhere does the Bible suggest men and women are not equal, it does clearly distinguish between the two sexes, especially concerning marriage.

“To the woman He said: ‘…your desire shall be for your husband…’ ” Genesis 3:16

“Wives, submit to your own husbands…” Ephesians 5:22, Colossians 3:18

“…let the wife see that she respects her husband.” Ephesians 5:33

“Husbands, love your wives…” Ephesians 5:24, Colossians 3:19

“Husbands, likewise, dwell with them in understanding, giving honor to the wife…” 1 Peter3:7

“Wife” is always feminine; “husband” is always masculine. Every indication points to marriage as being between a man and a woman. Further, sexual relations between men or between women are clearly forbidden.

“If a man lies with a man as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination.” Leviticus 20:13

“…For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful…” Romans 1:26b-27a

A solid stand on marriage as established by God is rapidly fading, with a segment of Christians being all too quick to support altering God’s definition of marriage. How arrogant of us, mere humans, to think we are more informed than our Creator! “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes….” (Isaiah 5:21a) The perspective of Christians who profess a personal relationship with God yet accept a definition of marriage as anything other than between a man and a woman is baffling.

Differences between men and women cannot be ignored. God’s physical design of His human creation and His perfect plan for procreation necessitate marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Same-sex marriage is like trying to fit together two mismatched pieces of a puzzle. It does not complete the biblical picture of marriage or family, but rather distorts it.

I appreciate the protection in our Constitution of the separation of church and state. Yet nowhere is that protection meant to include separating God’s moral laws from our country’s legal system, which in fact was founded upon basic biblical principles. As American citizens, we must protect those values upon which our country was started. As followers of Christ, we must support what God established from the beginning and has confirmed throughout His Word.