Question

Along with information in Balswick’s and Balswick’s Chapter 3, write about how you think the church can support singles select life-long mates in God-honoring ways.

Which option(s) appeal to you?

Why?

Discuss the concepts of assimilation and accommodation in regards to differentiation and Trinitarian relationality in Balswick and Balswick (2014).

Does Chapman’s idea of unity support or conflict with Balswick’s and Balswick’s ideas of the Trinitarian relationship and differentiation? Support your answer.

Describe the social exchange theory in regards to adaptability and authority in marriage.

Do you agree that marriages can thrive if rewards outweigh costs?

Answer 1

In the chapter titled ‘Mate selection and cohabitation : romance and reality ‘, Balswick and Balswick present a case of offers non-normative love relationships or live-in relationships between single couple, as an example of how sociological and biblical teachings work together. He believes that Christian family, properly understood, is not authoritarian but authoritative.

The authors describe how integrating single people into the traditional programmes of the church is the sometimes challenging due to the unchanged focus on marriage and familie. However, as more single people are committing to a rigor of church community, the clergy Andy the religious community is changing its practices to make the religious life more inclusive for the single members. To this end, Balswick and Balswick have elaborated on various practices.

One such practice which was found to be very appealing was the initiatives taken by elder members of the church group to provide an accepting community or the single perosns families ,such as by inviting the single members to spend holidays and enjoy meals with them and their families. This strategy can help to make the single people feel included and welcomed into their lives. This practice is found to be of great relevance as it creates ease about one’s own life choices about not having a spouse and can help reinforce religious faith especially during festivals as the community meals would create an assurance that rituals and practices associated with faith can exist Venn outside the realm of a marital relationship.

Another practice which can be promoted by the church community is to acknowledge that some Christians may choose to commit themselves to a lifelong, monogamous union outside of marriage, believing this is God's best for them. Single people especially from the younger adult group may believe that this reflects an authentic sexuality that is congruent for them and their view of Scripture. In this situation the focus is drawn on human compassion and social acceptance which brings the church to support all persons as they move in the direction of God's ideal for their lives and it can therefore strengthen the church community beyond its religious programme and develop relationships within the community as an integrated social institution.