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The Case for Marriage
Shanasia Freeman
Liberty University
DBFA 410-B01
Professor Rachel Burger
June 14, 2021
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Summary
Marriage is a very important entity created and ordained by God. Marriage by definition
is the legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship,
originally encompassing a union specifically between a man and a woman. Biblically the
traditional view of a Christian marriage, is a solemn and public covenant between a man and a
woman in the presence of God. Scripture conveys to us the importance of marriage in the book
of Genesis, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and
they shall become one flesh,” Genesis 2:24. In a traditional view of marriage, two soul in the
flesh are joined together spiritually to fulfill God’s ordained purpose for marriage. The Case for
Marriage: Why Married People Are Happier, Healthier, and Better Off Financially, is a concrete
literary analysis that encompasses strengthening marriage as the paradigm, in light of the secular
culture climate. Linda Waite and Maggie Gallagher expresses ways to enrich marriages while re-
implementing marriage as the basis of a thriving healthy society, in a world where the ideal of
marriage shifted. In this literary content, the benefits of marriage in society are presented,
whether economically, sociably in lieu of happiness, or spiritually. In a world where divorce,
same-sex marriage and cohabitation is at an all time high, these authors bring forth the case of
marriage, the beacon of hope in relationships and life.
Concrete Responses
After reading the text, I was able to draw the connection to my life. I have always been
told that marriage is not only the right way in which we should create our family but also that it
is God’s only way for the fulfillment of the family unit. Marriage has been transformed over the
case of history here in America. In light of this unprecedented shift. When the text conveyed
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“marriage as an ideal is under a sustained and surprisingly successful attack,” (Waite &
Gallagher, 2001), I could not agree more. Whereas I know that the law of the land allows for
certain aspects that are an abomination of God’s word, I believe it assists in diminishing the
family unit and marriage. Traditional views of marriage and the modern view of marriage make
up two contrasting spectrums in light of a biblical worldview. I can reflect back to a time, where
I would hear my peers discuss marriage in a negative light. I would hear them say things like
marriage is a scam, or entrapment, or as stated in the text, “marriage and family ties were
regarded by the human potential movement’ as potential threats to individua fulfillment as a man
or a woman. Or marriage being described as a trap circumscribing a woman’s social and
intellectual horizons and lowering her sense of self-esteem,” (Waite & Gallagher, 2001). I
remember how those negative occurrences made my mind wonder, why would people not follow
God’s will for their lives. I have always dreamed of being married, having children and creating
my own healthy and happy family. Despite the myths circulating marriage presented in the book
I still believe that marriage is the foundation of all families second to God.
Reflection
As I reflect on what I read, there are several questions that arise in lieu of the case for marriage.
Since the authors are trailblazers in providing a blueprint for reenforcing the entity of marriage
despite the secular world view, I wonder if they conducted a consensus on why people oppose
marriage when it is not only God granted but healthy and happy? Would it be beneficial to show
those in opposition of marriage the statistics of how marriage is financially and economically
beneficial? When people oppose marriage I wonder if they consider God’s thoughts on him not
being pleased with their decision? I would like further information on the thought process of
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those who do not want to be married and how they derived there. I would also like to pose the
question of is marriage all that is has cracked up to be? As an unmarried person reading the text,
and witnessing many marriages fail, is marriage truly a happier and healthier alternative. Yes
biblically marriage is the only way, but in a mental sense is marriage always healthy and
happier? I would like for the spectrum of marriage and divorce to be on two different playing
fields, divorce being on the bottom in terms of less divorces than healthy marriages, but statistics
show that divorce is at an all-time high. If marriage is the beacon of hope in terms of
representing the family unit why are there so many cases of divorce, as well as broken and
blended families? These are just a few questions I would ask if given the opportunity to pick the
authors brains.
Application
As a believer of God and believing that his word not only reigns true but is sufficient, I
will continue to strive for marriage and honor what God has ordained for the family unit.
According to Sola Scripture, Christian scriptures are the sole infallible source of authority for
Christian faith and practice. Scripture states in reference to marriage “Let marriage be held in
honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral
and adulterous.” Hebrews 13:4 (KJV). Although there is a trend of fewer people marrying
resulting in higher percentages of children being born out of wedlock, same-sex marriages,
divorce, cohabitation all goes against God’s will for our lives as believers. Sexual immorality to
include, same-sex marriages, and not limited to cohabitation, all are an abomination of God’s
word. Despite the startling rise in divorce, cohabitation, and unwed parenthood, marriage
remains a core value and aspirations of many Americans,” (Waite & Gallagher, 2001). If we as
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Christians walk in the spirit of Christ we will be swayed from fulfilling not only the lust of the
flesh but of a free expressive mind in terms of what the modern idea of marriage is and how it is
portrayed in society.
