Assignment task:
Reply to Gina
Creation, the Fall, and Redemption in Marital Functioning
Understanding marriage from a biblical and theological perspective gives us a richer grasp of creation, the fall, and redemption as they shape relationships today. Each stage shows the truth for God's design in marriage, how sin distorted everything, and the redemptive restoration through Christ. Together these stages give us a theological framework to understand how couples relate, experience intimacy, and how they can reflect God's covenant love in marriage.
God established marriage as a divine covenant in the reflection of His love and image. The Bible tells us in Genesis 1:27-28, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God, He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth" (NKJV, 1982). God created marriage for a purpose, to have mutual dependence upon each other, and for unity. Genesis 2:18 states, "And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him" (NKJV, 1982). This means that marriage is a partnership for emotional intimacy and unity.
From a biblical perspective, this means that men and women are equal and made to work together, not to compete or rule over each other. Köstenberger and Jones (2021) state that marriage reveals a relationship of "mutual service, trust, and shared dominion". This is an example of a God designed healthy marriage of unity, respect, and a shared purpose.
A marriage rooted in God's design promotes trust, emotional safety, and open communication. The absence of sin in Genesis 2:25, "And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed" (NKJV, 1982), complete transparency and acceptance, showed the design God created for marriage satisfaction. Johnson (2019) found that in marriage counseling mutual vulnerability and emotional vulnerability are foundational for marital satisfaction. God created marriage as a good gift for marriages to flourish and have a covenantal intimacy with one another.
The fall disrupted God's original design for marriage, introducing sin, shame and relational division. Genesis 3 reveals how sin led to rebellion against God and caused division between humanity and both God and one another. The moment Adam and Eve sinned they immediately experienced fear and shame, creating emotional distance and mistrust within the relationship.
God tells Eve in Genesis 3:16, "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you" (NKJV, 1982), their sin created power struggles, and selfishness. Instead of the mutual cooperation God designed for marriage, it has become vulnerable to domination, manipulation, and blame. In Genesis 3:12, Adam says, 'The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate' (NKJV, 1982), revealing humanity's tendency to avoid accountability, a pattern still seen in many marriages today.
The fall explains why couples struggle with communication, trust and vulnerability in marriages today. Sin not only corrupted our relationship with God but also our relationship with others. Yarhouse and Sells (2017) state that, "marital discord is a microcosm of the larger human condition, self-interest replaces sacrificial love" (p. 92). The fall reminds marriage counselors to see dysfunction not merely as behavioral issues but as expressions of brokenness that require spiritual healing and grace within the marriage.
Redemption changes the way we see marriage through Jesus Christ. Because of His death and resurrection, Jesus restores what was lost when sin entered the world. He brings people back into a right relationship with God and gives couples the power to love each other in the way He intended. Ephesians 5:25 tells husbands to "love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her" (NKJV, 1982), showing that marriage should be built on selfless, Christlike love.
Through redemption, marriage becomes a picture of the gospel. Both husband and wife are called to respect and serve each other "out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21). Instead of fighting for control, couples are invited to practice humility, forgiveness, and kindness. With the help of the Holy Spirit, they can grow closer, rebuild trust, and show grace to one another. As McMinn and Campbell (2023) note, redemption brings healing to relationships by restoring love and renewing emotional and spiritual connection.
Through creation, the fall, and redemption is a comprehensive theology for understanding marital relationships. Creation shows God's intention for marriage, the fall exposes human brokenness, and redemption offers restoration. When a marriage is centered on Christ, it mirrors God's design, confronts sin with humility, and opens the door for grace and redemption. Ultimately, a Christ-redeemed marriage isn't about perfection but about purpose, showing God's faithfulness through our human struggles.
In conclusion, understanding marriage through creation, the fall, and redemption gives couples and counselors a full picture of God's purpose and grace in relationships. Creation reveals the beauty of unity and equality that God intended, while the fall explains the pain, conflict, and disconnection that entered the world through sin. Yet, redemption through Jesus Christ brings hope and healing, restoring what was broken and empowering couples to love one another with humility and grace. When marriages are Christ-centered, they become living examples of the gospel, showing forgiveness, compassion, and commitment that reflect God's covenant love. Though no marriage is perfect, a redeemed marriage stands as a testimony of God's faithfulness, reminding us that His grace can restore even the most broken relationships and bring purpose through His design. Need Assignment Help?
References:
Johnson, S. M. (2019). Attachment theory in practice: Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) with individuals, couples, and families. Guilford Press.
Köstenberger, A. J., & Jones, D. W. (2021). God, marriage, and family: Rebuilding the biblical foundation (2nd ed.). Crossway.
McMinn, M. R., & Campbell, C. D. (2023). Integrative psychotherapy: Toward a comprehensive Christian approach. InterVarsity Press.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version. (1982). Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Worthington, E. L., Jr., & Sandage, S. J. (2016). Forgiveness and spirituality in psychotherapy: A relational approach. American Psychological Association.