Biblical marriage is beautiful

I stand for traditional marriage (one man and one woman for life). I love marriage with my beautiful wife of 28 years and my two sons from the United States and Guatemala. What a privilege to enjoy this God-designed institution called marriage. The traditional family unit has made America great and brings so much peace to my life. As the debate on marriage rages, many elected officials on both sides of the aisle render comments in support of or opposition to the definition of marriage, with some sending news-breaking statements while both political pundits and peasant commoners discuss the implications. While using caution when remarking about the actions of others, I have often wondered what is their guideline for truth?

Current society finds many citizens deciding critical issues based on polls or humanistic thinking- which views humans as the decision makers or as “gods” of their own lives. I, in turn, take a biblical view of allowing my belief system to be shaped by biblical foundation principles. These principles have been the foundational tenets of America and, in my opinion, are why we have been so blessed as a nation. Psalms 33:12 reminds us, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance” (NIV). America’s embrace of these principles have been essential in structuring the moral fabric of society for over two hundred years. In fact, in the book of Genesis, God established the beauty of the traditional marriage when creating Adam and Eve and then asked them to “be fruitful and multiply the earth.” This view of marriage was not conceived from some human mind, but from God. Today, not only has this view of God been attacked, but self has been elevated to “god” as the great moral authority causing many to abandon truth. The abandonment of truth, however, does not alter the societal implications with regard to marriage.

America has been great because of its reliance on a Supreme Being, and its honoring of biblical principles. George Washington, the nation’s first president, stood with his hand on the Bible and said these words as he was inaugurated, “It would be improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe.”

We must continue as a nation to follow these truths from scripture, and here are a few with regard to marriage:

• Male and female are God’s creation for purposes of his glory.

• Marriage is ordained of God to protect our lives, give peace, and multiply the earth.

• God forbids sexual sins of all types.

• The family is the societal fabric upon which cultures are built.

From these guidelines, it is evident God ordained a beautiful life for all to enjoy. Through sin, that perfect life was destroyed and replaced by chaos. The only way to have a restored life is to experience the forgiving grace of our loving Savior. While some would argue that the traditional marriage has its issues, it is still the designed plan for the good life. Sin is what has caused hurt and pain, greed and lust, but the beauty of traditional marriage continues to be the best plan when enjoyed alongside the love of God.

Additionally, a study of history correlates traditional marriage and biblical principles with a nation’s well-being. One does not need to look far to discover that the destruction of civilizations has followed the corruption of the family unit through sexual sins and inappropriate relationships. From a sociological point of view, Pitirim Sorokin, Harvard founding sociologist, suggests that civilization is only possible when marriage is normative and mother and father accept responsibility for their offspring. Humankind, left to its own devices, is quite adept at destroying culture. Do we Americans understand that our society is creating many problems by embracing a culture that destroys the traditional family unit?

From financial perspective, the pure economics of a societal breakdown are staggering. As the meaning of the traditional family unit disintegrates, history shows that social needs will be increased, costing millions to society. Multiple studies show children need the established family unit, and that when it breaks down, there are negative consequences. Children become confused, requiring additional counseling services, healthcare services, medications, etc. Families struggle economically when a mother and father are not present to provide their roles of love and protection for the family unit.

In conclusion, David Popenoe and Barbara Whitehead are on target when sharing, “Marriage is a fundamental social institution the ’social glue’ that reliably attaches fathers and mothers to their children. It contributes to the physical, emotional, and economic health of men, women, and children, and thus to the nation as a whole. It is also one of the most highly prized of all human relationships and a central life goal of most Americans.”

I believe in God’s original design for marriage, and I call for America to embrace the beauty of the family.

Timothy Keener, in The Meaning of Marriage, said, “Marriage is glorious, but hard. It is a burning joy and strength, and yet it is also blood, sweat, and tears, humbling defeats, and exhausting victories … there is no relationship between beings that is greater or more important than marriage.” It is useless to be malicious toward those who oppose this viewpoint, but it is imperative to remain bold while refusing to bow to those who desire to destroy the intrinsic human beauty of biblical American culture.

I believe in the beauty of life created with intentionality, and firmly embrace God’s love which reaches all humankind. I love every man and woman, and I am convinced life will be full of joy and peace when God, not self, is God and we observe His guidelines for living. Again, I love biblical marriage.

This Op-Ed was submitted as part of a Special Section from The Washington Times Advocacy Department.