This chapter lays the groundwork for
what is to follow.After explaining why it
is important to take a marriage and
family class,we define key terminology
to assist in better understanding the plan
of this text.Marriage is defined as a
social,legal,and economic institution.
Each state defines marriage differently
and makes its own laws governing the
conditions of marriage.One of the most
volatile issues today,especially as it
relates to Christians,is same-sex unions.
Marital laws in mostWestern
countries today require marriages to be
monogamous.Until recently,polygamy,
especially polygyny (many wives married
to one husband),was widely practiced in
most cultures.The influence of Judeo-
Christian principles is primarily
responsible for transforming the larger
culture,making monogamy the norm.
Families can be classified into
different types: nuclear,extended,
families of origin,and families of
procreation.Different cultures
emphasize different types of families.In
African-American and Hispanic cultures,
the extended family is usually very
important.In contrast,Caucasian
middle-class families are expected to be
mobile and independent from their
extended families.
We can learn about family in several
ways.Experience can give valuable
information.However,it can also
propagate myths about family,which can
cause people to have unrealistic
expectations about marriage and family
life.Science provides a more objective
way to discover the facts about marriage
and family life.Scientific evidence is
collected utilizing standardized methods
such as surveys,interviews,case histories,
or systematic observation.These data are
then systematically analyzed,often using
statistics to test hypotheses.In this way,
we gain a more complete understanding
of what is currently happening in
marriages and families.
While science can inform us about
current behaviors in marriages and
families,the Bible provides important
insights about why such behaviors occur.
It also gives us principles which govern
marriage and family life under God’s
control.Such principles as“covenant”
and“mutual submission”are essential in
creating a spousal relationship that
mirrors God’s relationship with human
beings.Summary
Why Marriage and Family?