Summary StatementAt Longview Christian Church, we describe marriage through a humble reading of scripture. We believe that marriage is meant to describe the union between a man and woman who forge a covenant relationship with one another forsaking all others.
|
The Biblical Example
"So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." - Genesis 2:21-25
"In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." - Ephesians 5:28-33
"In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." - Ephesians 5:28-33
The Picture at LCC
Marriage is a celebration of a man and a woman, both created in the image of God, becoming one flesh. This relationship is meant to be a source of abiding comfort and the place from which life is addressed in the most intimate of community. In this covenant, two parties come together to make a sacred commitment before God and others binding themselves to one another, to stand by one another, no matter the cost.¹
The language describing this union is the same language that describes the connection standing between creation and Creator. The way a husband and wife stand with each other as a source of strength is a reflection of God being our source of eternal help and strength. A helpmate is the one who stands alongside to face the challenges of life and join in the celebration of its triumphs.
Marriage also takes on a profound metaphorical use in the way that it stands as a sign-post to the love God has for those who bear his image. It serves to describe the lengths to which God has gone to show his love in the sacrifice of Jesus. Those who exist in a relationship with Christ are described as the bride because of the way that he sacrificed himself on their behalf. We believe this is more than a simple turn of phrase. This opens the door to a place of peace because what has been completed for the benefit of those connected with God but also serves as a challenge to both parties in the covenant of marriage to love one another in a similar, self-sacrificing way.
At LCC, we understand that this particular view of marriage may stand in contrast to other religions, denominational traditions, or cultural movements. We ask, and have the expectation that all teachers, leaders, and members of the LCC community promote our understanding of how marriage is described in scripture. We do this while still treating every individual with the love, kindness, respect, and dignity they deserve regardless of their particular stance and understanding on this topic.
We also understand that sometimes, for any number of reasons and situations, marriages come to an end. In the tragic brokenness of our world people need a place to find community and to worship. No matter what your marital status is and what your particular journey has looked like, you are welcome at Longview Christian Church.
The language describing this union is the same language that describes the connection standing between creation and Creator. The way a husband and wife stand with each other as a source of strength is a reflection of God being our source of eternal help and strength. A helpmate is the one who stands alongside to face the challenges of life and join in the celebration of its triumphs.
Marriage also takes on a profound metaphorical use in the way that it stands as a sign-post to the love God has for those who bear his image. It serves to describe the lengths to which God has gone to show his love in the sacrifice of Jesus. Those who exist in a relationship with Christ are described as the bride because of the way that he sacrificed himself on their behalf. We believe this is more than a simple turn of phrase. This opens the door to a place of peace because what has been completed for the benefit of those connected with God but also serves as a challenge to both parties in the covenant of marriage to love one another in a similar, self-sacrificing way.
At LCC, we understand that this particular view of marriage may stand in contrast to other religions, denominational traditions, or cultural movements. We ask, and have the expectation that all teachers, leaders, and members of the LCC community promote our understanding of how marriage is described in scripture. We do this while still treating every individual with the love, kindness, respect, and dignity they deserve regardless of their particular stance and understanding on this topic.
We also understand that sometimes, for any number of reasons and situations, marriages come to an end. In the tragic brokenness of our world people need a place to find community and to worship. No matter what your marital status is and what your particular journey has looked like, you are welcome at Longview Christian Church.
¹ This does not excuse or provide a basis for any form of abuse or neglect. Covenant language points to a mutual commitment at the expense of selfish interests.