What Is Marriage?

In Shawn McCraney's teaching on marriage in "Heart of the Matter," he explains that biblical marriage is defined by the act of sexual intercourse between a male and female who willingly come together, emphasizing personal responsibility for the potential children from such unions. He advocates for re-evaluating traditional views on marriage by recognizing it as a personal choice guided by biblical principles rather than ceremonial traditions, and highlights the importance of selfless love in relationships.

Shawn emphasizes that marriage, according to God, is defined by sexual intercourse between two people of the opposite sex, and critiques how religious institutions have misrepresented this by prioritizing ceremonial rituals over the genuine act of marriage, thus controlling individuals' perceptions and actions. He advocates for the importance of teaching future generations about the authentic meaning of marriage, focusing on the serious nature of sexual intercourse and the liberty of individuals to choose their marital practices without external religious intervention.

Shawn discusses that in the age of fulfillment, Christians are guided by the Spirit to choose who they marry, with an understanding that marriage, a worldly institution, is good when entered for life and can be challenging regardless of faith alignment. He emphasizes that marriage involves self-sacrifice, often referred to in terms of agape love, and stresses that decisions should be led by divine wisdom, acknowledging that while biblical principles suggest caution such as not being unequally yoked, the Spirit provides individual guidance.