Homosexuality and Christianity: Can Two Women Be Married
The concept of marriage in Christianity is rooted in biblical teachings, with the Genesis account of creation establishing the foundation for the understanding of marriage as a union between one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24). The New Testament reaffirms this understanding, with Jesus referencing the creation account to emphasize the monogamous nature of marriage (Matt. 19:4-6) [3].
In the context of Christian theology, marriage is considered a divinely instituted ordinance, designed for the happiness of humanity, increasing the human population, and raising godly offspring [4]. The apostle Paul's writings in 1 Corinthians provide guidance on marriage, indicating that while it is not sinful to marry, it is a matter of personal choice and circumstance (1 Cor. 7:28) [1, 2].
The question of whether two women can be married within a Christian context is complex and has been approached differently across various Christian traditions. Historically, Christian theology has understood marriage as a union between a man and a woman, based on biblical teachings. The early Church Fathers, such as Tertullian, emphasized the singular nature of marriage, referencing the union between Adam and Eve as a model [10].
The Reformed tradition, as represented by Charles Hodge, affirms monogamy as the law of Christ and the Christian Church, citing biblical passages such as Matthew 19:4-9 and Romans 7:2-3 to support the idea that polygamy is sinful [7, 8]. Similarly, the Catholic tradition, as reflected in the writings of Thomas Aquinas, views marriage as a sacrament that is inherently monogamous [9].
In contrast, some contemporary Christian traditions and denominations have reevaluated their stance on same-sex marriage, with some now affirming the union between two women or two men as valid within a Christian context. However, this perspective is not universally accepted across Christian denominations and traditions.
The biblical account and historical Christian theology emphasize the importance of understanding marriage within the context of biblical teachings. While there are diverse views on the matter, the traditional understanding of marriage as a union between one man and one woman remains a cornerstone of Christian theology [5, 6].
The historical development of Christian thought on marriage has been shaped by biblical interpretation, patristic writings, and theological traditions. As such, the question of whether two women can be married within a Christian context remains a matter of ongoing debate and discussion across different Christian traditions.
Sources
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 7:28 (YLT) — But and if thou mayest marry, thou didst not sin; and if the virgin may marry, she did not sin; and such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I spare you.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Corinthians 7:28 — But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Wife — The ordinance of marriage was sanctioned in Paradise (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6). Monogamy was the original law under which man lived, but polygamy early commenced (Gen. 4:19), and continued to prevail all down through Jewish history. The law of Moses regulated but did not prohibit polygamy. A man might have a plurality of wives, but a wife could have only one husband. A wife's legal rights (Ex. 21:10) and her duties (Prov. 31:10-31; 1 Tim. 5:14) are specified. She could be divorced in special cases (Deut. 22:13-21), but could not divorce her husband. Divorce wa”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Marriage — Divinely instituted -- Ge 2:24. A covenant relationship -- Mal 2:4. Designed for The happiness of man. -- Ge 2:18. Increasing the human population. -- Ge 1:28; 9:1. Raising up godly seed. -- Mal 2:15. Preventing fornication. -- 1Co 7:2. The expectation of the promised seed of the woman an incentive to, in the early age -- Ge 3:15; 4:1. Lawful in all -- 1Co 7:2,28; 1Ti 5:14. Honourable for all -- Heb 13:4. Should be only in the Lord -- 1Co 7:39. Expressed by Joining together. -- Mt 19:6. Making affinity. -- 1Ki 3:1. Taking to wife. -- Ex 2:1. Giving daughte”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 49: be admitted to the ministry, in neither case does the passage give authority to receive a polygamist into the fellowship of the Church. Considering, then, that monogamy is the undoubted law of Christ; considering that we have no evidence that He made an exception in favour of heathen converts; and considering the great importance that churches, founded in heathen lands, should bear true witness of the doctrines and precepts of Christianity, it would seem clear that no man having more than one wife should be admitted to Christian fellowshi”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 4:19: 4:19 Marrying two women was contrary to God’s ideal pattern for marriage (2:24) and might be another manifestation of the arrogance and rebellion of Cain’s descendants.”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 49: his admission into the Christian Church? The answer to this question has been sought from three sources: First, the Scriptural doctrine of marriage; secondly, the example of the Apostles when dealing with such cases; and thirdly, from a consideration of the effects which would follow from making monogamy an indispensable condition of admission to the Church. As to the first point, it is admitted by all Christians, that it ie the law of God, the law of Christ, and consequently the law of the Christian Church that polygamy is sinful, being ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 49: and one woman; and, therefore, that those whom God had joined together no man could put asunder. This is the doctrine clearly taught in Matthew xix. 4-9 ; Mark x. 4-9 ; Luke xvi. 18 ; Matthew v. 32 . In these passages our Lord expressly declares that if a man marries while his first wife is living he commits adultery. The exception which Christ himself makes to this rule, will be considered under the head of divorce. The Apostle teaches the same doctrine in Romans vii. 2, 3 : “The woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her hus”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Supplement (Supplementum), Of the Impediment to Marriage, Arising from a Solemn Vow, Art. 3: Article: Whether the wife may take another husband if her husband has entered religion before the consummation of the marriage? I answer that, Just as bodily death of the husband dissolves the marriage tie in such a way that the wife may marry whom she will, according to the statement of the Apostle (1 Cor. 7:39); so too after the husband's spiritual death by entering religion, she can marry whom she will. On the contrary: On the contrary, No one can bind another to those thi”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — CHAP. II.--MARRIAGE LAWFUL, BUT NOT POLYGAMY.: We do not indeed forbid the union of man and woman, blest by God as the seminary of the human race, and devised for the replenishment of the earth [15] and the furnishing of the world,[16] and therefore permitted, yet Singly. For Adam was the one husband of Eve, and Eve his one wife, one woman, one rib.[17] We grant,[18] that 40 among our ancestors, and the patriarchs themselves, it was lawful[1] not only to marry, but even to multiply wives.[2] There were concubines, too, (in those day”