Changes

The unity between a man and a woman in marriage is a picture or analogy of the relationship that God desires to have with his creation. The first marriage occurred nearly 6,000 years ago in the [[Garden of Eden]], in the area of the world that we now know as the Ancient Near East. The first couple was Adam and Eve.

The unity between a man and a woman in marriage is a picture or analogy of the relationship that God desires to have with his creation. The first marriage occurred nearly 6,000 years ago in the [[Garden of Eden]], in the area of the world that we now know as the Ancient Near East. The first couple was Adam and Eve.

Marriage is a life-long commitment, under any circumstances. Frequently this involves a public commitment ceremony ([[wedding]]) where vows are exchanged to each other and before God.

Marriage is a life-long commitment, under any circumstances. Frequently this involves a public commitment ceremony ([[wedding]]) where vows are exchanged to each other and before God. In present-day America, it also typically involves a marriage license issued by the [[state]] [[government]] or a subdivision thereof (e.g., a county).  However, marriage licenses are nowhere mentioned in Scripture; in fact, they are a relatively recent innovation and originally applied only to marriages that were otherwise forbidden.<ref>Information on marriage licenses from Mercy Seat Christian Church [http://www.mercyseat.net/BROCHURES/marriagelicense.htm]</ref>

[[Bill Bennett]] wrote:

[[Bill Bennett]] wrote:

*Based as it is on the principle of [[complementarity]], marriage is also about a great deal more than love. That "great deal" encompasses, above all, [[procreation]]. The timeless function of marriage is childbearing and child-rearing, and the best arrangement ever developed to that end is the marital union between one man and one woman ... <ref> ''The Broken Hearth'', Page 197) </ref>

*Based as it is on the principle of [[complementarity]], marriage is also about a great deal more than love. That "great deal" encompasses, above all, [[procreation]]. The timeless function of marriage is childbearing and child-rearing, and the best arrangement ever developed to that end is the marital union between one man and one woman ... <ref> ''The Broken Hearth'', Page 197) </ref> However, the Old Testament provided for [[polygamy]] and [[concubine|concubinage]] and includes many examples of both among the patriarchs.

==Biblical marriage advice==

==Biblical marriage advice==