Origin of Marriage

Origin of Marriage In the Old Testament, marriage is most frequently treated as a patriarchal institution for the perpetuation of the tribe. However, late in the history of Israel, we can see signs of a growing sacramental awareness in the creation stories of Genesis and in the prophetic literature, (understood of course, in the broader notion of sacramentality). Many biblical scholars see in Genesis (1:27): God created man in the image of Himself, In the image …

…only in the openness to bring forth life but in the binding together of man and woman in a covenant of mutual self-giving. That these new insights have contributed to an enriched appreciation of the sacrament is evidenced in the success of Marriage Encounter and various other family life movements. The fruits of movements such as these bring to the Church an even greater experience of the presence of Christ in our midst through marriage.