5 Reasons Biblical Marriage is Relevant for Current Generations

Marriage is declining in America. According to a 2019 study by the Pew Research Center, the percentage of Americans who have cohabited was larger than that of those who have been married. This is not surprising, considering that “most Americans find it acceptable for unmarried couples to live together, even for those who don’t plan to get married.”  Since Western societies are becoming more secularized, we should expect the rejection of religiously grounded practices like marriage. People have tried to redefine marriage, wanting to abandon the biblical practice and definition of it. For example, in 2015, the American Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision. This expanded “marriage” to include same-sex couples, granting them legal rights and privileges. Those who practice consensual non-monogamy (also called ethical non-monogamy) argue that dating or being in a sexual relationship with another person outside of their spouse is not adultery if all individuals involved give their consent. According to an article by Psych Central, this arrangement in which husband and wife are willing for their spouse to have additional partners is seen as a healthy way to cope with being “attracted to multiple people at once.” Amid this whirlwind of ideas and changes to the definition of marriage, where should Christians stand? Do we give in to the whims of an ever-changing culture so that we are relevant? Are we supposed to ignore or reinterpret the verses in Scripture that define marriage and discuss sexual relationships just to appease the world? Even though the culture will continually shift, the Bible does not change. We should follow God’s Word and remain steadfast to its truth. This includes being faithful to what Scripture teaches about marriage.  Although society increasingly wants to move beyond it, marriage is still important. Here’s why: Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Nadtochiy