Augustine on Marriage, Monasticism, and the Community of the Church

Marriage as Covenant: Tradition as a Guide to Marriage Education in the Pastoral Context

“…Theological speculation about the meaning of marriage during the initial three and one half centuries of Christianity was rare. Rather, attention was directed at pastoral responses to marriage in its real-life situation and the innumerable heresies that undermined its value and virtue (Carmody, 1985;Mackin, 1982;Otten, 1998).…”

“…The writings of patristic leaders tended to minimize the body, sexual expression, and women as a way to differentiate Christianity from dualistic heresies such as Gnosticism. Christian leaders, such as Tertullian and Clement of Alexandria, often attempted to distinguish an orthodox Christian view of marriage from its denigration by heretical movements (Martin, 1990;O'Callaghan, 1970;Otten, 1998). Further, the Gnostic trend toward incorporating a female principle within the godhead provoked additional misogynism.…”

“…Around the end of the fourth century, an ascetic lifestyle became a prominent ideal. Celibacy, in contrast to marriage, embodied a new and appealing (if not still somewhat controversial) Christian alternative in the West (Constantelos, 1985;Lawler, 1985;Otten, 1998;Schillebeeckx, 1965;Wiesner-Hanks, 2000).…”

“…Although he retained much of his suspicion of both sexual passion and expression when he became a Christian, Augustine was not as adamant as some of his contemporaries (e.g., Jerome or John Cassian) about a preferential option for celibacy (Farley, 1994;Olsen, 2001;Otten, 1998;Meilaender, 2000). He was a staunch advocate for marriage, especially in light of the Manichean position which he argued against.…”

“…Christian tradition reveres three covenants (Everett, 1998;Lawler, 2001;Otten, 1998). There is, first, the Old Covenant, the covenant between Yahweh and Israel.…”