Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical Views of Marriage

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While Protestants do not view marriage as a sacrament, their tradition seems to hold a somewhat lower view of marriage, seeing it as more instrumental and symbolic rather than liturgical or as a means of spiritual sanctification, which is unattainable in non-Christian marriages. When marriage is not regarded as distinctly sacred, entering into marital unions becomes a less thoughtful decision spiritually and is conceptually, therefore, easier to dissolve: “We’re just not compatible.” Many Protestants mistakenly treat marriage as a mere rite of passage into adulthood rather than a deeply spiritual institution that serves as an apologetic witness to the world, affirming the historicity and validity of redemption accomplished and applied. Protestants would benefit greatly from emphasizing that marriage, sex, and the family are, by definition, sacred and spiritual institutions.

It’s striking that Tim Keller’s popular book on the meaning of marriage does not have a chapter on raising children and sanctity of the family as a part of the meaning of marriage.

The Orthodox Church upholds marriage as a sacred and divinely instituted union, emphasizing its foundation in the creation of Adam and Eve and its sanctification through Christ’s first miracle at Cana. Marriage symbolizes the indissoluble bond between Christ and the Church, elevating the union of man and woman to a holy mystery. This Christ-centered sacrament transforms marriage into “a small church” that reflects the Kingdom of God, requiring faith in Christ as a shared foundation for the couple.

The Orthodox Church views marriage as essential for preserving the family, which serves as a spiritual and societal cornerstone, fostering the proper upbringing and formation of children. Recognizing contemporary threats such as secularization, moral relativism, and alternative forms of cohabitation, the Church strictly adheres to the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman while condemning practices such as same-sex unions and legalized cohabitation without sacramental blessing. Civil marriages, though recognized by the state, lack the sacred character of a Church-blessed union, and the Church extends pastoral care to guide those in such arrangements toward understanding the sacrament’s spiritual significance.

The Orthodox Church also maintains rigorous standards for marriage, addressing conditions like age, consent, and kinship, while balancing strictness with pastoral sensitivity. Rooted in both biblical and natural law traditions, the Church views the marital bond as both a divine and human institution.

In response to modern challenges such as rising divorce rates, abortions, and family instability, the Church calls on its leaders to provide robust pastoral support to protect and nurture the institution of marriage and the family. This mission is seen as vital to safeguarding not only individual relationships but also the fabric of society, always grounded on the unshakable foundation of Christ.

The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a sacred covenant established by God, raised by Christ to the dignity of a sacrament. It unites a man and a woman in a lifelong, faithful, and exclusive partnership ordered toward their mutual good and the procreation and education of children. Marriage reflects the union of Christ and the Church and is rooted in God’s original plan for humanity, as revealed in Scripture.

Marriage is indissoluble, requiring free and mutual consent from both spouses. It is a public and liturgical act celebrated before the Church, signifying the grace that strengthens the couple’s love, sanctifies their union, and helps them grow in holiness. This grace enables them to reflect Christ’s love and to carry their crosses together in fidelity and service.

Marriage is open to fertility, and children are considered the supreme gift of the union. Parents, as the first educators of their children, are called to nurture their faith and moral development. For those unable to have children, marriage retains its meaning through expressions of charity and sacrifice.

The Catholic Church recognizes the challenges posed by sin in marriage, including discord, infidelity, and separation. However, it emphasizes reconciliation and the enduring bond of marriage, even in cases of separation. Divorce and remarriage are not permitted, as they contravene God’s law, though divorced individuals remain part of the Church and are encouraged to live Christian lives.

Mixed marriages and interfaith unions require special pastoral care, emphasizing the importance of shared faith and values for marital harmony. The family is considered the “domestic church,” where faith is nurtured, and virtues are cultivated, serving as a foundation for Christian life and witness in the world. The Church upholds marriage as essential for the well-being of individuals, families, and society.

The Gospel Coalition teaches that marriage is a God-given, voluntary, sexual, and public union between one man and one woman from different families, designed to serve God. Marriage in this framework is not viewed as scared. It is rooted in the created order and stands as an unchangeable foundation for human life. While marriage may take different cultural expressions, its essence as a divine institution remains constant. Jesus affirmed this by referring to Genesis, where marriage is established as a union of male and female, both as a gift from God and as a moral standard. Marriage serves several purposes: it allows humanity to serve God through procreation, faithful intimacy, and social order. Procreation involves bearing and raising children in the Lord’s discipline, stewarding creation, and viewing children as a costly but precious blessing. Faithful intimacy within marriage reflects God’s covenant love and points to the ultimate intimacy between Christ and His Church. Marriage also contributes to social order by providing a proper context for sexual expression, protecting society from the chaos and disorder caused by unrestrained sexual desires.

The definition of marriage emphasizes its voluntary and public nature. It requires the free consent of both a man and a woman, excluding coercion, and involves a covenant made before witnesses, ensuring accountability and societal support. Marriage is exclusively heterosexual and monogamous, reflecting God’s design as established in creation. It also prohibits incest to safeguard the sanctity of family relationships. Within marriage, husbands are called to exercise self-sacrificial headship, while wives embody godly submission, reflecting the relationship between Christ and His Church. This lifelong covenant is not based on fluctuating emotions but on a promise made before God and upheld by His grace.

Marriage is a living picture of the gospel, showcasing Christ’s love for His Church. Despite human failings, the gospel offers grace and redemption for those who have fallen short in matters of sexual sin. Through Christ, individuals can find forgiveness, cleansing, and strength to live faithfully in marriage. Ultimately, marriage is designed for God’s glory, the flourishing of human life, and as a reflection of the ultimate union between Christ and His people. Through it, couples embody the grace and faithfulness of God, pointing to the eternal hope found in Christ’s love.

Evangelicals Have A Low View of Marriage

The Gospel Coalition’s view of marriage represents a significantly lower and less sacred perspective compared to the Orthodox and Catholic teachings. While it affirms marriage as a God-given union and acknowledges its role in reflecting the relationship between Christ and His Church, it lacks the depth and theological richness found in the Orthodox and Catholic understandings. The Gospel Coalition primarily emphasizes marriage as a practical framework for serving God through procreation, intimacy, and social order, treating it as a functional institution rather than a sacred mystery or sacrament. Marriage isn’t sacred, sex is not sacred, the family is not scared.

In contrast, the Orthodox Church elevates marriage to the level of a holy mystery, deeply rooted in divine action and grace. It views marriage not merely as a human partnership but as a sacrament that transforms the couple into “a small church,” reflecting the Kingdom of God. This sacramental understanding imbues marriage with spiritual significance, requiring faith in Christ as its foundation and making it a vehicle for holiness and divine grace. Similarly, the Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a sacred covenant raised by Christ to the dignity of a sacrament. It unites spouses in a lifelong partnership characterized by mutual sanctification, grace, and a deep reflection of the union between Christ and the Church. Marriage in the Catholic tradition is a public, liturgical act celebrated within the Church, signifying its sacred nature and its role as a means of grace for the couple.

The Gospel Coalition, while acknowledging the biblical basis for marriage, fails to regard it as inherently sacred. Its focus is primarily functional—highlighting marriage as a way to serve God and society—rather than emphasizing its transformative and sacramental nature. This view reduces marriage to a utilitarian role, overshadowing its deeper spiritual and mystical significance as a divine institution meant to sanctify the couple and embody the love between Christ and His Church. Furthermore, the Gospel Coalition does not place marriage within the context of worship or liturgy, unlike the Orthodox and Catholic traditions, which see the marital union as an integral part of the Church’s sacramental life.

Additionally, the Orthodox and Catholic views emphasize marriage as a reflection of divine love and the ultimate unity between Christ and His Church, with profound implications for the sanctification of the spouses and the nurturing of their faith. In these traditions, marriage is not only about mutual support and societal order but is fundamentally oriented toward eternal realities and the Kingdom of God. By contrast, the Gospel Coalition’s perspective, while acknowledging the biblical metaphor of Christ and His Church, falls short of fully integrating this vision into its understanding of marriage, treating it more as a symbolic picture rather than a transformative participation in divine grace and sanctification that is unique to the Christian life.

Ultimately, the Gospel Coalition’s view of marriage, while affirming its biblical foundations and moral framework, does not rise to the level of sacredness and mystery emphasized in Orthodox and Catholic teachings. It lacks the spiritual depth of sanctification, liturgical centrality, and divine grace that elevate marriage from a functional institution to a holy and transformative covenant grounded in the life of Christ and the Church. This omission reflects a diminished understanding of the profound spiritual and theological significance of marriage as a sacred gift from God.