This essay argues that marriage is Christian because there is a specifically Christian theology of marriage that understands its nature as sacramental. For a great part of the Christian tradition, marriage has been dismissed or regarded as inferior in favour of celibacy. It is possible, however, to have a thoroughly positive understanding of marriage alongside celibacy.
I will examine this question by looking at two key examples in the Christian tradition, Gregory of Nyssa’s On Virginity and St. Augustine of Hippo’s The excellence of Marriage. For Nyssa, celibacy seems to be the ideal. I will show that his treatment is more complex than this; it is clear, however, that he does not regard marriage as in the sense of having a positive theology of it. Augustine, on the opposite, advocates for an understanding of marriage as a good way of Christian life, but still insists on its inferiority to celibacy. I will show, however, he opens a way that allows a development of theological interpretation of marriage as a sacrament of love. I will argue that as a sacrament of love, marriage does not have to be sacrificed in favour of celibacy but neither should it be regarded as an inferior good compared to celibacy.
The predominantly negative view of marriage in both authors is influenced by their (partly unconscious) engagement in the Mystic and/or Gnostic traditions. I will argue that both authors neglect the crucial aspect of love in marriage which stems from the reluctance to regard the spiritual and bodily dimensions of love as inseparable. This is caused by the negative view of the embodied world and sexuality, which leads to an impoverished notion and a diminished role of love that is not appropriate with regard to man’s embodied nature and destroys the possibility of understanding marriage as an active, positive participation in God’s love.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Part I: Gregory of Nyssa
Part II: St. Augustine of Hippo
Procreation (and Social Bond)
Mutual fidelity
Sacramental bond
Part III: Developing from the Classic Theologies
Embodiedness and Sexuality
Trinity and Community
Part IV: Marriage as a Sacrament of Love
Commitment and indissolubility
Incarnational expression
Shared transcendence
Creativity
Charity and virtues
Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
This essay explores whether marriage can be considered a Christian institution by examining its theological foundations. The central research question investigates how a positive, sacramental understanding of marriage can be developed, moving beyond the historically negative or functional views found in classical traditions by reinterpreting the relationship between embodiment, love, and the Trinitarian nature of God.
- The influence of Gnostic and Mystic traditions on historical views of marriage.
- The critique of functional or negative theological perspectives in Gregory of Nyssa and St. Augustine.
- The integration of embodiment and sexuality into a sanctified view of marital union.
- The reinterpretation of marriage as a participatory movement within Trinitarian love.
Excerpt from the Book
Part I: Gregory of Nyssa
Gregory of Nyssa was heavily influenced by Neo-Platonism and, as a contemplative theologian, advocates for the virginity of the soul, which is not identical with celibacy and therefore not contrary to marriage as an institution. I will show, however, that his understanding of marriage is not positive but functional.
Life on earth is a journey which should not be enjoyed. He who is “studying the divine ways [...] (a)s long as he is in the tabernacle, exhibiting mortality, weighed down with his existence, he laments the lengthening of his sojourn in it”, because it keeps the soul struggling with giving itself to God. The human being is called to become entirely spiritual instead of embodying Divine nature within the worldly dimension. Love and imitation of God are only achievable through pure, spiritual contemplation. The aim of the soul consists of the contemplation of Him and the self-purification in His image. The way to the Divine lies in detachment from the embodied world, as the wings of purity (grace) can only draw the soul towards God when it is not held back by passions. Nyssa likens the soul to a stream that cannot reach God when it is poured into many worldly channels as the stream necessarily has to split in order to engage in both marriage and divine contemplation: the human mind [...], as long as its current spreads itself in all directions over the pleasures of the sense, has no power that is worth the naming of making its way towards the Real Good.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the argument that a specific Christian theology of marriage exists, which interprets the institution as sacramental rather than merely secondary to celibacy.
Part I: Gregory of Nyssa: Examines how the influence of Neo-Platonism leads Nyssa to a functional and largely negative view of marriage, emphasizing detachment from bodily passions.
Part II: St. Augustine of Hippo: Analyzes Augustine’s three goods of marriage—offspring, fidelity, and the sacramental bond—while noting the tension caused by his personal struggle with the perception of sexual desire.
Part III: Developing from the Classic Theologies: Proposes a synthesis that reconciles the classic theological focus on social unity with a modern, affirmative understanding of sexuality and Trinitarian love.
Part IV: Marriage as a Sacrament of Love: Develops a constructive account of marriage as a participatory experience of Divine grace, focused on commitment, incarnation, and shared transcendence.
Conclusion: Summarizes the shift from a negative or purely functional view of marriage to a positive, sacramental understanding that mirrors the movements of love within the Trinity.
Keywords
Christian Marriage, Theology of Marriage, Sacramental Bond, Gregory of Nyssa, St. Augustine of Hippo, Trinitarian Love, Embodiment, Sexuality, Procreation, Fidelity, Divine Grace, Incarnation, Celibacy, Christian Tradition, Participation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic work?
The essay explores the theological justification for marriage within Christianity, specifically addressing how it can be understood as a sacrament rather than just a functional social institution.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers historical theological perspectives on marriage, the impact of Neo-Platonism and Gnosticism on early views, the role of sexuality and embodiment, and the connection between marriage and the Holy Trinity.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to develop a robust, positive theological framework that affirms marriage as a "sacrament of love," arguing that it should not be viewed as inferior to celibacy.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses historical-theological analysis and critical literature review, specifically engaging with the texts of Gregory of Nyssa and St. Augustine to build a contemporary constructive theology.
What is examined in the main body of the text?
The body analyzes the works of Nyssa and Augustine, identifies their limitations regarding the body and sexuality, and then offers a new interpretive path for viewing marriage through Trinitarian love.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Sacramental Marriage, Trinitarian Love, Christian Theology, Embodiedness, and theological reinterpretation of the classic tradition.
How does the author treat Gregory of Nyssa's view on marriage?
The author describes Nyssa’s view as primarily functional, noting that he views worldly attachments, including marriage, as potential obstacles to the spiritual soul's journey toward God.
What is the significance of the "sacrament of love" concept in this essay?
It represents the author's proposed shift toward an inclusive and equal understanding of marriage, where the couple participates in the divine, reconciling love manifest in the Trinity.
- Quote paper
- Céline Sun (Author), 2018, Is Marriage Christian?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/448970
