Sexuality and Marriage: Guidelines for the Twenty-First Century. by Maria Elizabeth Tukker a Dissertation Submitted in Fulfilmen
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Sexuality and marriage: Guidelines for the twenty-first century. by Maria Elizabeth Tukker A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree MA (Biblical and religious studies) in the Department of Biblical and Religious studies at the UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA FACULTY OF HUMANITIES SUPERVISOR: Prof P Geyser CO-SUPERVISOR: Prof D Human August 2011 © University of Pretoria TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY ................................................................................................................. 6 ABBREVIATIONS.................................................................................................... 10 DECLERATION ....................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 12 1.1 Background .............................................................................................................................. 12 1.2 Actuality and Relevance ........................................................................................................... 13 1.3 Problem Statement .................................................................................................................. 14 1.4 Aims and Objectives ................................................................................................................. 16 1.5 Research question .................................................................................................................... 17 1.6 Methodology ............................................................................................................................ 18 1.7 Hypothesis ............................................................................................................................... 18 1.8 Chapter division ....................................................................................................................... 18 1.9 Hermeneutic starting point and interpretation ....................................................................... 19 1.9.1 Biblical interpretation ................................................................................................... 20 1.10 Technical terms ........................................................................................................................ 21 CHAPTER 2 SEXUALITY ....................................................................................... 23 2.1 Understanding sexuality .......................................................................................................... 23 2.2 Meaning of the sex act ............................................................................................................. 24 2.3 What could be the Social purpose of our Creation as Sexual Beings? .................................... 25 2.4 Erotica and spirituality ............................................................................................................. 27 2.5 Sexuality in Biblical times ......................................................................................................... 28 2.6 Purity and dirtiness in the Bible ............................................................................................... 29 2.7 Song of Songs on sexuality ....................................................................................................... 29 2.8 Sex within the marital bond ..................................................................................................... 33 2.9 The sex act as the Sacrament of marriage ............................................................................... 33 2.9.1 What is a Sacrament? ................................................................................................... 33 2.10 Sex before marriage ................................................................................................................. 36 2.11 Cohabitation ............................................................................................................................ 36 2.12 Sexuality and interpersonal relationships ............................................................................... 38 2.12.1 Sexual intercourse as personal communication ........................................................... 38 2.12.1.1 Affirmation of identity .......................................................................................... 38 2.12.1.2 Sexual identity ....................................................................................................... 39 1 2.12.1.3 Self-esteem ........................................................................................................... 39 2.12.1.4 Submission ............................................................................................................ 39 2.12.1.5 Relief of distress .................................................................................................... 39 2.12.1.6 Reconciliation ........................................................................................................ 40 2.12.1.7 Thanksgiving .......................................................................................................... 40 2.13 The relative value of sex .......................................................................................................... 40 2.14 Enjoyment of sex to the end of married life ............................................................................ 40 2.15 Sexual ethics ............................................................................................................................ 40 2.16 Why do Christians associate sex with sin? ............................................................................... 41 2.17 Sex in context ........................................................................................................................... 43 CHAPTER 3 MARRIAGE ....................................................................................... 47 3.1. The meaning of marriage ......................................................................................................... 47 3.2. The importance of marriage .................................................................................................... 47 3.2.1 Social importance .......................................................................................................... 47 3.2.2 Religious importance .................................................................................................... 49 3.2.3 Importance of legislation .............................................................................................. 51 3.3 Purpose of marriage ................................................................................................................ 51 3.3.1 God’s Glory .................................................................................................................... 51 3.3.2 Companionship ............................................................................................................. 52 3.3.3 Procreation and child rearing........................................................................................ 52 3.3.4 Sexual intimacy ............................................................................................................. 53 3.4 The origin of marriage.............................................................................................................. 53 3.4.1 Pre-modern times ......................................................................................................... 54 3.4.2 Modern times ................................................................................................................ 55 3.4.3 Post-modern time ......................................................................................................... 55 3.5 The nature of marriage ............................................................................................................ 55 3.6 Biblical marriage versus modern marriage .............................................................................. 56 3.7 Marriage in the fist-century Mediterranean world ................................................................. 57 3.7.1 Entering matrimony as a process .................................................................................. 58 3.7.2 Negotiating: Choosing a spouse .................................................................................... 58 3.7.3 Engagement (Betrothal) ................................................................................................ 59 3.7.4 The marriage ceremony ................................................................................................ 59 3.7.5 The position of women in marriage .............................................................................. 60 3.7.6 Adultery ......................................................................................................................... 60 2 3.7.7 Divorce .......................................................................................................................... 61 3.7.8 Remarriage .................................................................................................................... 61 3.8 Song of Songs on marriage ...................................................................................................... 62 3.9 Marriage