The Significance of «One Flesh» in Relation to Marriage

Authors

  • Katharina PENNER Currently she teaches at the International Baptist Theological Seminary in the area of Biblical Studies and Counseling., Czechia

Keywords:

One Flesh, nature of marriage, creation of humanity

Abstract

This article deals with questions about the nature of marriage, the unity of spouses in marriage, and divorce as a phenomenon of the Fall, based on an analysis of the concept of «one flesh.» Primary attention is devoted to the creation of humanity and the original institution of marriage, where the phrase «one flesh» occurs for the first time. It is followed by an analysis of other biblical passages that directly refer to the expression «one flesh.» The goal of marriage is the unity of partners, which is possible due to certain covenantal conditions of leaving previous priority relationships, a strong connection between partners, and the uniting of all areas of their personalities. As marriage is a covenantal relationship comparable to the one between God and his people, the renewal, restoration and adaptation of the covenant for the benefit of each of the partners is always possible, even in the case of covenant violation.

Author Biography

Katharina PENNER, Currently she teaches at the International Baptist Theological Seminary in the area of Biblical Studies and Counseling.

Katharina Penner was born of German parents in Soviet Kyrghystan. Having moved to Germany as a teenager she had the opportunity to receive medical and theological education in Germany, Canada and USA, receiving a M.Div. in Theology in 1995. In 1993 she joined her husband teaching at St. Petersburg Christian University (Russia). In 2001 they moved to Prague and currently she teaches at the International Baptist Theological Seminary in the area of Biblical Studies and Counseling. She has two children, 8 and 6 years old.

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THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS #1 (2003)

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PENNER, Katharina. 2016. “The Significance of «One Flesh» in Relation to Marriage”. Theological Reflections: Eastern European Journal of Theology, no. 1 (June):139-62. http://reflections.eeit-edu.info/article/view/87961.

Issue

No. 1 (2003): Theological Reflections: Euro-Asian Journal of Theology

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Articles

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