In America, marriage is on the rocks. The rates of matrimony have plummeted. And, as is so often the case with these sorts of social trends, explanations prove complicated. Pornography, cohabitation, and hook-up culture have warped the landscape, making the process of initiating and growing serious romantic relationships that culminate in marriage very difficult. The simple fact is that our culture does not put much serious or helpful thought into finding and committing to a spouse.
This affects Christian young people. Many of them should be married but aren’t. Yes, church members—including singles—must be cared for and loved. But it is likely that at least some of the outcry against the Church’s focus on married people and families arises from this marriage shortage. These young singles could faithfully fulfill the vocation of matrimony, and they are probably much better suited for that vocation. But, because of our anti-marriage culture, they haven’t found a mate or made the commitment.
Advice from their fellow pew-sitters can range from discouraging to unhelpful. At best, young people will hear about the importance of sexual purity and the biblical profile of a good husband or wife, alongside the injunction “it matters who you marry.” They are given precious little counsel about “how.” The culture’s script on this is libertine, egotistical hogwash. Meanwhile, the Church’s script—if it exists—can appear to reduce to a list of “thou shalt not’s,” concerns that led to the heated “dating debate” of the late 1990s.
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St. Jude's Anglican Church
We are a parish of the Reformed Episcopal Church. We have been worshiping together in the greater Richmond area for over a decade. We’d love to have you join us for Christian worship in the rich Anglican tradition.
