When a husband promises to love his wife as Christ loved the church
and give himself up for her, he is declaring his intention to be a man
of strength and self-control for her benefit and for the benefit of any
children born to them. Such qualities, properly exercised in the spirit
of self-sacrifice, enhance the feminine and personal qualities of his
wife.
Each marriage and each era will work this out differently. It
is in this context and this alone that the revised marriage service
enables a woman to promise submission.
Her submission rises out of his submission to Christ.
It is a pity that the present discussion has been so overtly
political. Instead of mocking or acting horrified, we should engage in a
serious and respectful debate about marriage and about the
responsibilities of the men and women who become husbands and wives.
The Bible contains great wisdom on this fundamental relationship.
The rush to embrace libertarian and individualistic
philosophy means that we miss some of the key relational elements of
being human, elements which make for our wellbeing and happiness. It's
time to rethink marriage from first principles. It really matters.
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