The Biblical Design for Marriage:
 The Creation, Distortion and Redemption
of Equality, Differentiation, Unity
and Complementarity 

Paul A. Twelker
Professor Emeritus of Psychology
Trinity College
Trinity International University
These chapters examine the biblical concept of the one-flesh union, the evolution 
of marriage through the centuries, and implications for our culture today.

Introduction

Chapter 1 Early Israelite History

  • How Did the Early Israelites Marry?
  • Was There a Marriage Ceremony?
  • Marriage in the Early Church Period and Thereafter
  • How Common Was Polygamy?
  • What Was the Status of Women?
  • Reflections

Chapter 2 Jewish Tradition and Sexuality

  • The Role of Sex in Israelite and Jewish Tradition
  • Reflections

Chapter 3 Early Christian Thought

  • The Cultural Context for Early Christian Marriage
  • The Teaching of Jesus on Marriage
  • Marriage and the New Testament Writers
  • Marriage and the Early Church Fathers
  • The Influence of the Early Church Fathers
  • Was There Sexual Consciousness Before the Fall?
  • Reflections

Chapter 4 The Two Shall Be One Flesh

  • The One Flesh Union
  • "A Man Shall Leave His Father and Mother"
  • "And Shall Cleave to His Wife"
  • "And the Two Shall Become One Flesh"
  • Reflections

Chapter 5 Marriage and Union

  • The Marriage Covenant
  • The One-Flesh Union as a Type of Blood Covenant
  • Further Thought on the Relation between Marriage and the One Flesh Union
  • Reflections

Chapter 6 Equality and Subjection

  • The Relationship of Husband and Wife after the Fall
  • The Relationship of the Fall to Subordination of Women
  • The Distortion of Sin and its Effect on Relationship
  • Headship and Submission in the New Testament
  • Reflections

Chapter 7 Youth, Sexual Ethics and the One-Flesh Union

  • Introduction

  • The Biblical Norm for Interpersonal Sexual Relations

  • To Have Sex or Not Have Sex...That is the Question

  • What Constitutes Virginity?

  • Some Guidelines for Sexual Conduct

  • Serial Recreational or Casual Sex

  • Serial Liaisons with Developing Emotional and Sexual Intimacy

  • Serial Non-sexual Relationships Followed by a Single Intimate Bonding

  • Fostering Abstinence

  • Reflections

References

Related Papers 

Youth, Abstinence, and the One-Flesh Union
Sexual Attitudes and Abstinence Among Christian Youth