Original Research

The “sanctity” of marriage – an archaeology of a socio-religious construct: Mythological origins, forms and models

Yolanda Dreyer
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 64, No 1 | a10 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v64i1.10 | © 2008 Yolanda Dreyer | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 14 January 2008 | Published: 14 January 2008

About the author(s)

Yolanda Dreyer, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Full Text:

PDF (193KB)

Abstract

The aim of the article is to argue that the sexual difference between female and male should be regarded as soteriologically indifferent. Though a biological reality of being human, sexuality is profoundly influenced by social constructs and the institution of marriage itself is a social construct. In this article the biological and social aspects are taken into account in a theological approach which on the one hand is interested in the relationship between God and human beings, and on the other in the way in which the Bible elucidates sexuality and marriage. The article indicates that the idea of sexual intercourse between a man and a woman as being equal to Godgiven “holy matrimony” has mythological origins. It focuses on these origins and on the multifarious forms of marital arrangements and models.

Keywords

No related keywords in the metadata.

Metrics

Total abstract views: 5647
Total article views: 3043

 

Crossref Citations

1. Transformations of Old Believer Wedding Rites in Latvia: The Case of Latgale
Jelena Korolova, Oksana Kovzele, Ilze Kacane, Maija Grizane
Journal of Ethnology and Folkloristics  vol: 15  issue: 2  first page: 159  year: 2021  
doi: 10.2478/jef-2021-0022