A Recent Study on Marriage
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Institute of Family Studies recently published a study on Christian marriages in America. One joyous finding is that Christian couples have the happiest marriages.
This is wonderful news at a time when everything around us often seems so lousy. One reason Christian marriage brings joy is that it’s incarnational. Christians understand that in marriage they are united to live together, share space, converse, and support one another. While this may not seem like much to you, as we live in what some call the “Anti-social century,” you should know that many couples do not see marriage as the union of Jesus Christ and His bride, the Church. They don’t talk, they don’t share a bedroom, and they don’t support one another.
If marriages aren’t on solid foundations, then the family is on shifting sand.
I invite you to read the synopsis of the study I mentioned above here. One caveat to keep in mind when reading the synopsis is that the joy the study discusses stems from both the husband and wife being Christian. But when this is true, the study reveals how religion remains directly linked to the joy of marriage and family life today, how the Christian faith affects marital stability and intimacy, and how specific traditions and beliefs shape the character of marriage.
Again, this study's findings are great news for the church, and we should show the joy we have in the precious gift of marriage in how we speak, how we act, and how we remember our marriage.
In Christ,
Pastor Rogness
