Lately I have been running into a few people saying the same thing, and I decided to bring it to the BMWK family for further investigation. “Is the Bible still relevant for marriages today?”
A few weeks ago a woman from one of the largest Christian family ministries was sharing with me that a seminary professor told her it would be impossible to live married according to the Bible. Specifically, it was that a man could not lead his family and still be a man according to the Bible.
I raise the question because so often we hear that there is this great benefit in going to church together, praying, reading and studying the Bible together. But yet it seems that there are many, like the seminary professor, that feel that the principles of the Bible aren’t “realistic” for our marriages today.
Of course culturally there are huge differences. There are instances where first cousins are married to each other, or one man is married to more than one woman, along with a host of other situations that just would not happen today. However, even in these culturally different scenarios, is it still possible to find relevant solutions for our marriages today?
Personally, I find no greater resource than the Bible. While the culture is very different, they walk or rode camels instead of cars, and there was neither the Internet, social media nor smart phones, but still I believe at the core of the message of the Bible and the couples captured in the Bible, there is wisdom for today.
In my own marriage, we have seen how God has spoken to us, not so much in a audible booming voice from heaven. But through the examples of marriages that have endured, there are some of the same core concerns of communication or trust that my marriage has. Through principles like having the mind of Christ or loving each other like we love ourselves, we have gained a stronger marriage.
Reading and applying the Bible has provided insight in to how we think both individually and as a couple. Recently, we have been challenged by two biblical couples, Chuza and Joanna and Aquilla and Priscilla, to be more conscious to look for ways to make a difference in the lives of others through our marriage. Sure, there are books and other sources that could have brought this to mind. However, there is something so powerful about the instruction and direction gained from being aligned with the truths of the Bible that can not be duplicated.
What about you BMWK family””is the Bible still relevant to your marriage?