Man and Woman

Sub-Theme 1: Family Life

A.

(I) Present Situation

The family is the basic human community, where people can be loved and accepted. Changing patterns of family life. Tension between parents, older relatives and the experiences and views of the young. Tension between nuclear and extended families. Ideas of collective responsibility to society and loyalty to extended family.

(II) African Tradition

The extended family: Co-responsibility, education of children for community living, a developing process of growing together and sharing. A large family with many children was a sign of blessing and wealth. Tension because both husband and wife have strong loyalties to their original families. Polygamy has been an accepted practice for various reasons. Childless marriage has usually not been acceptable.

(III) Church History with Emphasis of Africa

Changing patterns of family life. Christian idea of mutual love and respect set out in the New Testament. Early centuries in Africa: existing patterns were accepted by Christians but also challenged by the Christian idea. Marriage and family life in the Middle Ages: legalistic attitudes.

Reformation and after: emphasis on Christian family life. Attitudes of Christian missionaries to traditional African customs. Changes effected by education. New patterns emerging. The search for the Christian ideal is expressed in different ways within cultures.

B. Bible

Old Testament

The family is the basic unit of society (Genesis 12:1-5). Children are a sign of God's blessings (Genesis 15; 2; Psalm 128:3). Sterility is considered a curse (1 Samuel 1:8; Genesis 30:1-8). Family solidarity is a sacred obligation (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:6). The family is the center of education (Proverbs 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15,17). Involvement in development of national resources (1 Kings Chapter 5 and 7; 2 Chronicles 26:9-10). Genesis 2:21-24: stability of family; ideal of monogamy. Malachi 2:13-16: divorce, at first permitted (Deuteronomy 24:1), is later condemned. Polygamy was practiced by some of the kings (1 Kings 11) but virtually disappeared after the exile.

New Testament

Mark 10:1-12: ideal of monogamy, asserted in Genesis, is reaffirmed by Jesus; mutual love and respect is the basis of family relationships. Mark 3:31-35: God's love for us and our love for him underlie all relationships. Luke 2:46-50; 9:57-62: the family must be outward looking to a wider human community. Christians should be nation-conscious (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). Ephesians 6:1-4; Colossians 3:19-21; 1 Peter 3:1-8: relationships within the family must be loving and not tyrannical. Christian attitudes of love, acceptance and forgiveness within the family help the members to respond with love and tolerance to others beyond the family circle (Colossians 3:12-15).

C. Synthesis

The Christian idea of marriage emphasizes the primary obligation of love and responsibility of husband and wife to each other and to their children. The family should be seen in relation to the Christian community, to society and to the wider community of all men.

Sub-Theme 2: Sex Differences and the Person

A.

(I) Present Situation

Today's societies stress the value of the person, regardless of sex, at least in principle if not in practice. Boys and girls are seeking for their identity: what does it mean to grow up into manhood and womanhood? Cultural viewpoints influence attitudes of men towards woman and women towards men. New possibilities lead to changing roles, with dangers of confusion and discrimination.

(II) African Tradition

The tasks of men have been clearly differentiated from those of women. Men have generally enjoyed greater freedom and mobility than women. Women generally have not played an overt part in politics or public life; a woman's life has been oriented to motherhood. In matrimonial societies the status of women has been enhanced.

(III) Church History with Emphasis on Africa

The Christian idea of respect for persons, whether male or female, has been stressed. Women have had important roles in the work of the Church. Discrimination has existed in various areas of life in the Christian churches.

B. Bible

Old Testament

The situation in Israelite society: distinction of roles and inequality of men and woman (Genesis 30:1-2; Exodus 20:17; Proverbs 6:20-26). Genesis 3:8-19: created to be companions and co-responsible, men and women accuse each other, women become enslaved by men. The biblical author sees this situation as the result of sin. Genesis 1:26-31; 2:18-25: Men and women are different but equal, created in God's image and likeness, entrusted with mastery of the universe, and meant to be companions. Signs of hope: emphasis on the individual (Exodus 22:20-27). Some Israelite women are symbols of the active part which all women are entitled to take in society( Deborah; Jael, the woman of Tekoa; Esther). 1 Samuel 2:1-8: Hannah's expression of hope echoes the hope of all Israelite women.

New Testament

John 13:34-35: Jesus proclaims the dignity of each person and the basic law of love which should govern all relationships. He is open to all kinds of people whatever their race (John 4:1-9), social status (Mark1:40-45), profession (Matthew 9:9-13), moral life (Luke 7:36-39), sex (Luke 10:38-42; John 11:1-5), or age (Mark 10:13-16). All men and women are children of God, loved by him (John 3:16), any form of discrimination is a denial of the family ties that hold them together (Matthew 5:43-48). Galatians 3:27-28: there are no longer distinctions. But unity does not mean uniformity (1 Corinthians 12:12-30). The law of mutual love and respect is the basis of relationships (Galatians 5:13-15; Philippians 2:3-5).

The Christian ideal is the equality of man and woman as persons although each sex has its own unique tasks. Each person is to be valued for himself or herself rather than for the role he or she fulfills. 
  

Sub-Theme 3: Courtship and Marriage

A.

(I) Present Situation

There is, at present, greater opportunity for contact and more freedom of mixing between boys and girls which can result in a growing of mutual understanding and respect. There is more freedom in the choice of marriage partners. Some links with the clan are weakening. Various views of marriage. Marriage is seen as a framework for developing relationships of love and understanding.

(II) African Tradition

Marriage discussions and the choice of marriage partners are the concern of the whole family group. Bride wealth (bride price) is very common but is not present everywhere. Pre-marriage instruction was given by one's family and immediate community.

(III) Church History with Emphasis on Africa

Monogamy ahs been promoted as the ideal, as a requirement. Emphasis on choice of marriage partner. Marriage seen as a continually developing relationship of love.

B. Bible

Old Testament

Marriage is willed by God and is a way of sharing in God's creative activity (Genesis 2:18-24). The day-to-day reality of division and strife between man and wife (Genesis 3) shows the need for laws to help married persons treat each other with love and respect (Exodus 22:16-17). God makes known the possibilities for the marriage relationships and attitudes that the partners need to cultivate towards each other (Hosea 2) Marriage is revealed as a covenant between the partners for mutual growth and development. The relationship can grow only if it is based on integrity, tenderness, justice, love and faithfulness.

New Testament

Jesus refers to the joy of the marriage relationship (Mark 2:19; John 4:16-19; John 8:1-11). He recalls the idea of monogamy which was expressed in Genesis 2:24, but was later ignored (Mark 10:1-12). He taught that all relationships need to be open-ended (Matthew 19:11-12) and individuals must follow the way that they are called to follow, possibly even not to marry. Paul expressed the Christian ideal of marriage as a covenant of love in which each partner is totally given to the other in genuine love (Ephesians 5:21-33; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5). The foundation of Christian marriage is the new life in Christ which the partners share (Romans 6:1-11).

C. Synthesis

Marriage is a growing relationship of mutual commitment to be explored and developed all life long. Husband and wives united in Christ are helped to grow in love. Each partner is a minister of saving to the other, precisely by being committed to the other in love.