Simone Lawson
There are differing views on what constitutes a legal marriage in God's eyes. Some believe that a man and a woman are considered married in God's eyes when they complete a formal wedding ceremony, while others argue that sexual intercourse is what seals the deal. There are also those who think that a marriage is only valid in God's eyes when it is legally recognized by the government. While the Bible does not explicitly outline a specific path for marriage, it emphasizes the importance of covenantal vows and cultural practices in recognizing a marriage union. Ultimately, the community's acknowledgment of a marriage is crucial, as they are accountable for respecting the sacred commitment between a couple.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legal marriage | Some believe that a legal marriage is required for a marriage to be valid in God's eyes. |
| Formal wedding ceremony | A formal ceremony involving covenantal vows is considered a requirement for marriage in God's eyes. |
| Sexual intercourse | Some believe that physical consummation of the marriage is necessary for it to be valid in God's eyes. |
| Vows | Vows are considered essential, and they must be unconditional for the marriage to be valid. |
| Covenant | A covenant with God, with the goal of worshipping Him, is believed to be necessary. |
| Witnesses | At least two witnesses are required to validate the marriage. |
| Government recognition | While not always possible or necessary, government recognition is encouraged when it aligns with biblical principles. |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage as a covenant
Marriage is a covenant, a sacred bond between a man and a woman, instituted by and entered into before God. It is a lifetime commitment to each other, a promise to forsake all others and remain faithful to your partner. The Bible describes marriage as a covenant in several places, often when referring to those who did not keep their commitment.
The idea of a covenant is that it is a permanent bond, until 'death do us part'. It is a promise to give all of yourself to your partner and to commit to the marriage for life. This means that, even when passionate feelings fade, the marriage covenant remains. This is a reflection of Jesus's own faithfulness to his bride, the church.
A covenant is not a contract, which is temporary and often has a time limit. A contract can be self-serving, whereas a covenant is about serving the other person and putting the needs of the relationship first. A covenant requires both people to maintain lives of virtue and moral obligation, which is not usually requisite in a contract.
In a Christian marriage, the presence of God in the marriage is what makes it valid. God is the glue that holds the marriage together. The vows are what make a marriage valid, and they must be unconditional.
In the eyes of God, a man and a woman are married when they have completed a formal wedding ceremony involving covenantal vows. However, some argue that a marriage is only legitimate in God's eyes when it is also recognised by the government.
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The role of sex
There are several viewpoints on what constitutes a legal marriage in God's eyes. Some believe that a man and a woman are considered married by God when they have completed a formal wedding ceremony involving covenantal vows. Others argue that God only considers a couple married when they are legally married, i.e., when they become husband and wife in the eyes of the law.
A third viewpoint asserts that God considers a man and a woman to be married at the moment they engage in sexual intercourse. This belief is based on the interpretation of the ""one flesh" principle found in Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, and Ephesians 5:31. According to this view, sexual intercourse is the final "seal" on a marriage covenant, fulfilling the physical aspect of becoming one flesh.
However, it is important to note that the Bible does not explicitly state that sex constitutes marriage. Some argue that if sex were the sole requirement for marriage, there would be no such thing as fornication or sexual sin in singleness. Additionally, a couple can be legally and ceremonially married without engaging in sexual intercourse, and they are still considered married in God's eyes.
While sex is an integral part of marriage, it is not the sole defining factor in God's eyes. Consensual sex does not equate to the commitment of marriage. Instead, marriage is a public institution created by God, and it involves mutual promises and accountability. The roles of husband and wife are public roles within society, not just within the individual relationship. Therefore, vows, rings, ceremonies, and marriage licenses are crucial in holding marriage partners accountable to their promises and creating a public declaration of their union.
In summary, while sexual intercourse is an important aspect of marriage, it is not the sole determinant of a legal marriage in God's eyes. A combination of factors, including cultural, familial, and covenantal practices, as well as governmental recognition, contribute to what constitutes a legal marriage.
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The need for a ceremony
The concept of marriage is a sacred one, and it is interesting to note that while the Bible does not explicitly outline a set of instructions for a wedding ceremony, it is commonly accepted that a formal ceremony is required for a couple to be considered married in the eyes of God.
The Bible does, however, provide some guidelines and principles that support the idea of a wedding ceremony. Firstly, the Bible emphasises the importance of covenants and vows in marriage. In Genesis 2:24, we find the concept of a "one flesh" principle, which is the foundation of a marriage covenant. This covenant is a promise of monogamy and a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman. The exchange of vows and blessings is a crucial aspect of a wedding ceremony, as it publicly declares the couple's intention to honour this covenant.
Secondly, the Bible recognises the significance of community and family in marriage. Throughout history and across cultures, ceremonies have been a common practice, often involving festivities and celebrations that bring together the couple's community. This public declaration of their union allows the community to bear witness to the marriage and hold the couple accountable to their vows.
Additionally, while the Bible does not mandate specific legal requirements for marriage, it does instruct Christians to obey and respect governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7). This suggests that, as long as the requirements are reasonable and not against the Bible, seeking formal governmental recognition through legal documentation is advisable.
It is worth noting that some Christians may argue that a legal marriage is not necessary in God's eyes, and that a private commitment between a couple before God is sufficient. However, the majority view seems to support the idea of a formal ceremony, and many Christians choose to follow cultural and legal traditions alongside their religious practices.
In conclusion, while there may be differing opinions on the specifics of what constitutes a marriage in God's eyes, the need for a ceremony is generally accepted. This ceremony serves as a public declaration of the couple's covenant, honours God's institution of marriage, and brings together the community in celebration and support of the union.
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Public vows
The Bible does not explicitly state when a couple is considered married in God's eyes. However, there are three common viewpoints on what constitutes a legal marriage in God's eyes.
The first viewpoint is that a couple is considered married in God's eyes when they are legally married, that is, when they become a husband and wife in the eyes of the law. This view is supported by the command to obey the government's laws (Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:17).
The second viewpoint is that a couple is considered married in God's eyes when they have completed a formal wedding ceremony involving covenantal vows. This view emphasizes the importance of public vows and the presence of witnesses, as marriage is a public institution created by God (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5:31).
The third viewpoint is that a couple is considered married in God's eyes when they engage in sexual intercourse. This view is based on the "one flesh" principle, which states that sexual intercourse between a husband and wife is the ultimate fulfillment of their union (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5:31).
While the Bible does not explicitly mention a ceremony or public vows as a requirement for marriage, it is generally accepted that a public declaration of marriage is necessary. This can be in the form of a wedding ceremony, a legal contract, or some other form of public proclamation recognized by the couple's culture.
In summary, while there may be differing viewpoints on what constitutes a legal marriage in God's eyes, public vows are an essential part of declaring and authenticating a marriage union. These vows are a public declaration of a couple's commitment to each other and their intention to live as husband and wife within their community.
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Legal recognition
The concept of legal recognition of marriage varies across different cultures, religions, and legal systems. In the context of "God's eyes," the discussion often revolves around Christian beliefs and the Bible's perspective on what constitutes a legal marriage. Here are some perspectives on legal recognition in this context:
Governmental Recognition and Legal Requirements:
Some Christians believe that legal recognition of marriage by the government is not necessary for God to recognize a union. They argue that marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman, and God is the ultimate authority. This perspective is supported by the belief that Adam and Eve, the first married couple in the Bible, did not have a government-sanctioned marriage. Instead, their union was recognized by God.
Cultural and Familial Practices:
According to some interpretations, a man and a woman should follow the cultural, familial, and covenantal practices that are typically recognized by their community to consider a couple "officially married." This perspective acknowledges that marriage traditions and rituals vary across cultures, and adapting to these practices is essential for legal recognition.
Formal Wedding Ceremony and Vows:
Many Christians believe that a formal wedding ceremony involving covenantal vows is necessary for God to recognize a marriage. This perspective emphasizes the public declaration of the union and the exchange of vows as a commitment made before God and witnesses. While the specifics of the ceremony may vary, the act of making the marriage public is considered crucial.
Sexual Consummation:
Another viewpoint suggests that God considers a man and a woman married when they engage in sexual intercourse. This belief stems from the interpretation of the "one flesh" principle found in Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, and Ephesians 5:31. However, this perspective is controversial, and some argue that sexual intercourse alone does not constitute marriage in God's eyes.
Government-Issued Marriage License:
While not universally accepted, some Christians recognize the importance of obtaining a government-issued marriage license for legal recognition. This perspective acknowledges the benefits, protections, and privileges that come with state-sanctioned matrimony. It is seen as a way to participate in the government-sanctioned institution of marriage while also recognizing God's authority.
It is worth noting that these perspectives are not mutually exclusive, and different Christian denominations and individuals may hold varying beliefs regarding the legal recognition of marriage in God's eyes.
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Frequently asked questions
No, a marriage license is not required for a marriage to be considered valid in God's eyes. God does not need government recognition to validate a marriage. However, Christians may still want to obtain a marriage license to enjoy the protections, benefits, and privileges that come with state-sanctioned matrimony.
A valid marriage is one where God enters into the marriage. God is the glue in the marriage, and the marriage cannot be broken. The Bible states that marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman for life.
There are differing viewpoints on this. Some believe that a formal wedding ceremony involving covenantal vows is required for a marriage to be considered valid in God's eyes. Others argue that a ceremony is not necessary, as it is a man-made tradition that is not explicitly required or sanctioned by the Bible.
There are differing viewpoints on this as well. Some believe that sexual intercourse is the final "seal" on a marriage covenant, and therefore, a couple is not truly married in God's eyes until they have consummated the marriage physically. However, others argue that sexual intercourse alone does not constitute a marriage in God's eyes, as there is no direct statement in the Bible to support this claim.
