Featured What constututes a marriage?

Marriage is a matter of law, but the law does not make a marriage. A man and woman are wedded when in the presence of witnesses they exchange vows and publicly confess that they will live together as husband and wife.

 

Sure it does. Paul distinguishes between virgins, married, and widows.

We can distinguish which of these are married according to God through His spokesman Paul. There is no room for anything but a husband and a wife, and clear terms as to what God expects (as well as a little advice form Paul, which we can safely assume was inspired teaching) is found in all of those cultures that span Redemptive History.

For example, we know Abraham violated what falls under a proper course in a marriage when he was not truthful, but deceptive, about his wife. We see marriage used to illustrate God's relationship to His people, where we see the underlying teaching of faithfulness.

We can go to the Word of God and determine whether what is called marriage is acceptable to God, and determine what is not. The particulars of the culture or society are secondary to the teachings of the Word of God in regards to marriage and how it is to be carried out by those married, and we should be able to determine if our marriages are right in the sight of God based on Biblical Doctrine (both in ceremony as well as practical application).


God bless.

 

No. They're lying. And stealing.

There is no commitment without the public exchange of vows in whatever ceremony communicates that the couple is united in marriage.

So did everyone else. Sex doesn't make a marriage. A man and a woman might commit adultery, or fornication, but they don't commit marriage.

 

Who says you have to go before a bunch of witnesses for it to be considered right in God's eyes? Some people can't afford to do a ceremony and can't make that happen anyway The only witnesses are the people who signed the certificate. I believe we have to go by the law of the land and get the license, but you don't need an elaborate ceremony.

 

Just wondering who it was that made such an assertion?

 

What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 1 Cor 6:16
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

 

The first marriage there was a proclamation.

This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.​

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Marriage is not a private matter. Marriage is a societal matter. How is one to know that a man and woman is married? There's only one way. They say so in a public manner.

The elderly in your example are telling the people they're not married in order to defraud their benefactors.

 

I would agree about the matter of a license, but the fact that the state has a duty and vested interest in enforcing and protecting the institution.

 

Hypothetical

Let's say a twelve year old boy and a twelve tear old girl fine themselves marooned on a habitable island and manage to live tens of years. In the eyes of God could they ever be considered married? When, if yes?

 

Two teenagers walk into your office and say "We went into one of our mother's rooms and now we believe we are married, but our folks have a problem with it."

What do you say to them?


God bless.

 

Bring you parents here, and lets all sit down and work this situation out.

If one is 18 or 19, and the other is 17 or less, then the authorities must be called.

 

The context of the question is whether one needs a marriage license or ceremony in order for a couple to be married.

The example given was an elderly couple that would lose benefits by being married. If we say it is okay for them to be considered married, then this would have to equally apply to anyone who wanted to be married.

God bless.