In the book, God, Marriage, and Family, author Andreas J. Kostenberger sounds an alarm by announcing that “it can rightly be said that marriage and the family are institutions under siege in our world today, and that with marriage and the family, our very civilization is in crisis” (15). Initially, one may think that the crisis of society involves poverty, social injustice, and corrupt governments, however, those are merely the effects of the root cause of the problem. When one focuses the majority of their time on championing these causes, they are merely trimming the branches of a tree rooted in bad soil, and no amount of pruning will make a tree produce good fruit if the soil has been poisoned. Society must firstly understand the underlying causes, identify them, and make the necessary changes, if they wish to truly change the world for the betterment of all who live in it. Only by redirecting one’s passion to the real problem can one be effective in making the real change needed to positively influence society.
Kostenberger’s revelation is that the real problem is imbedded in society’s attack on marriage and the family. His research into that very issue leads him to the conclusion that “the Judeo-Christian view of marriage and the family with its roots in the Hebrew Scriptures has to a significant extent been replaced with a set of values that prizes human rights, self-fulfillment, and pragmatic utility on an individual or societal level” (Kostenberger,15). Essentially, instead of valuing and obeying God’s intended plan for marriage and family, society has taken God’s instruction out of His own divinely instituted institution and replaced Him with things that we think are far superior. Kostenberger is not saying that human rights, becoming self-fulfilled, and focusing on one’s own life are “problems.” He is saying that these issues have taken over the biblical basis for marriage and family.
Satan’s targeted arena to destroy society began with the very first married couple, Adam and Eve, and he hasn’t ceased his onslaught to this very day. As a whole, society reflects that the devil has stepped up his game in the last sixty years. Census data reflects a declining rate of marriage since 1960, falling from approximately 72% to 50% (Bedard, Census). It is also widely held that 50% of marriages end in divorce. On-demand abortion, gender-role confusion, sexual promiscuity, and governments redefining marriage are other major factors that influence society’s families which, in turn, shapes each individual’s life.
Children are seen as a problem instead of a blessing. Men and women are influenced to become whatever sex they desire. Marriage is seen as something negative so that children have no real structure to emulate themselves when they reach adulthood. Laws have been passed that are fundamentally destroying God’s intention of one man and one woman heading households through a sacred bond of marriage. Society is worse today than yesterday because of these factors. Since the 1960’s, when Satan’s attack on marriage and family went “full steam ahead,” the poverty level has increased, taxes are higher because of new social programs designed to fill the needs of single mom households creating an economic strain on society, and even personal freedoms are being threatened because they have allowed the government to be the “father” of the family. A serious question to ask oneself is, “Are we better off today because of all these changes in the past?”
People are taught in schools that our society is growing and changing for the better and that one day humanity will reach a utopian plateau where everything will finally be ok. All society has to do as a whole is keep working hard and press on making changes in certain areas. That is a lie from the devil. It is a fairy tale that he has used to distort truth and accomplish his goal of eternally separating people from God. Sadly, churches have also fallen victim to his lies. Male leadership is severely lacking. When men won’t step up and willingly step down, the feminist movement instructs women to assume these roles. Marriage and the family is supposed to picture the relationship Jesus has with the church, however, most families are broken and being led now by single mothers who have usurped God’s design because men have failed and neglected their God given place as head of the household (1 Cor. 11:3). Women are taking on more prominent roles in churches that God designed to be a picture of Christ with man as the head. Kostenberger correctly asserts that the root cause of these problem stems from a “lack of commitment to seriously engage the Bible as a whole” (17).
Churches are not the only ones affected by a lack of biblical commitment. Children that have no truth to stand on fall when the world’s problems invade their lives. “Sociologist Paul Amato estimates that if the United States enjoyed the same level of family stability today as it did in 1960, the nation would have 750,000 fewer children repeating grades, 1.2 million fewer school suspensions, approximately 500,000 fewer acts of teenage delinquency, about 600,000 fewer kids receiving therapy, and approximately 70,000 fewer suicides every year” (Whitehead). All of the changes society has made in the last sixty years has not made families come any closer to the utopia that humanity has been duped into believing. People have been tricked into believing that they are taking “one small step” forward for mankind toward complete bliss while the evidence suggests that, as a whole, society has actually taken a “giant leap” backwards.
Obeying God’s design and plan for marriage and the family is the solution, not following society ever further into a black hole of chaos. We are created in God’s image and according to His likeness (Gen. 1:26-27). Professor Don Dunavant correctly quotes in his article, Man – Made in the Image of God, Genesis 1:26, “would have meant to the original readers, 'Let us make man to be like us and to represent us.’” Bruce Ware in his journal article, Male and Female Complementarity and the Image of God, notes that “the image of God in man involves God's creation of divine representations (images of God) who, in relationship with God and each other, function to represent God (imaging God) in carrying out God's designated responsibilities.” Each person reflects the authority of God because they are created by Him and in His image; this is a truth that cannot be changed regardless of one’s faith in Him. Each person is also commanded to function as a faithful representative of God, as His ambassadors to everyone else, proclaiming the Gospel to all mankind; this is commanded, but, unfortunately, it is very seldom obeyed.
“Marriage is a covenant, a sacred bond between a man and a woman instituted by and publicly entered into before God and normally consummated by sexual intercourse.” (Kostenberger, The Bible's Teaching on Marriage and Family). Marriage and family are created by God. He initiated marriage. Marriage involves complementary roles for the man and woman. Neither is created superior or inferior to the other; they are just created differently. She supplies what he lacks and vice versa. Marriage involves a joining of one man and one woman. God did not join Adam with an animal, another man, or even multiple women; this tells us that beastiality, homosexuality, and polygamy are sin. Marriage forms a new family unit into a permanent “one flesh” bond where both people leave their mother and father and cleave to each other, and is only dissolved by death; on earth, God intends marriage to be permanent (Mark 10:9).
In God’s original plan, He created man first and woman to be comparable to him (Gen. 2). The curse has made the relationships of husbands and wives difficult, but not hopeless. The pain of the curse is not only physical, but also mental. From that day forward, parents would know that they are giving birth to children who would now die and be eternally separated from God forever. However, God has given a remedy to the sin problem; Jesus died for our sins, and sent His Holy Spirit to accomplish His will in our lives. With that power in our lives, Parents can now raise their children up in a household that creates an environment where they will have the best chance to know the Lord and be saved.
Children are the heritage of the Lord. Children are God’s reward to a marriage, not a curse as the world wants you to think. However, they are God’s property, His “heritage,” entrusted to parents for only a short time (Ps. 127:3). With the knowledge and power God has given us through the Holy Spirit, parents can now bring their children into obedience correctly and lovingly. We are not to provoke our children to anger but bring them up in nurture and admonition. Parents should and are commanded to correct their children early so, later the rod is not needed; once a child is fixed in his ways as a teenager it is extremely difficult for any real change to take place (Eph. 6:4).
Husbands and wives must set the example between themselves. The Apostle Paul’s instructions are for wives to biblically submit to their husbands as “to the Lord” (Eph. 5:22). “Biblical submission means to willingly yield one’s self to God-given authority and to arrange one’s self under that authority with the proper attitude” (Doucet, Final Exam Review). The world has skewed the word “submission” into a negative connotation, but it is not negative in any way. Submission is not inequality, inferiority, or weakness. Submission is not doing everything your husband says like a slave to a master. Wives are free to express their feelings and concerns. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church following His sacrificial example. They are both to yield to God’s authority and willingly do it with a happy attitude. This is only possible as a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit of God (Eph. 5:18). Husbands and wives must let the word of Christ richly dwell in them both with all wisdom. They must read the Word of God, not as a rule book, but as love. They must submit to Christ by doing what He says. They must do all these things with a willing and happy attitude, not merely outward, but inward, in their hearts.
Communication is one key to unlock a happy marriage. In his book, Families Where Grace is in Place, author Jeff VanVonderen reminds spouses that “Phrases like “I love you,” “You are so capable,” “I’m here for you when you need me,” “I’m glad God put you in our family,” “I’m glad you’re a boy/girl,” “I feel good when I’m with you,” and using a person’s name when speaking to him are just some of the out-loud ways to affirm people” (141). These must be said from a willing heart with a happy attitude. If you are merely saying those phrases to say them without truly meaning them, the recipient will understand through your actions that you do not truly love them, but only placating to their ears. We are constantly reminded that love is not a word, but an action. So you must actively show love, even when you feel wronged.
Problems between spouses will always happen. God does not say that when you get saved you will never sin again, but He does say that He is “just and faithful to forgive sins” (1 John 1:9). When any party in the marriage, whether husband, wife, or children, is sinned against, it is very important to practice forgiveness. Kevin DeYoung cites Chris Brauns definition of forgiveness, in his article, Following Up on Forgiveness, as “a commitment by the offended to pardon graciously the repentant from moral liability and to be reconciled to that person, although not all consequences are necessarily eliminated” (DeYoung). When we are forgiven, God says that He “remembers our sin no more” (Isa. 43:25; Jer. 31:34; Heb. 8:12). God does not forget our sins; He simply does not hold them against us anymore.
The same must be true when we forgive the repentant person when they ask for it. Refusing to acknowledge sin and forgive others corrupts relationships and cuts us off from God’s forgiveness. “And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us” (Luke 11:4), is a casuistic phrase; one causes the other to happen. You will not be forgiven of your sins by God if you do not forgive others of theirs against you (Matt. 6:15). That is why it is so important to understand what forgiveness means and to do it whenever you are asked to do so. The Apostle Peter came to Jesus and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matt. 18:21). Jesus is indicating that you are to forgive whenever you are asked. He is not saying that after 490 times you do not have to forgive; if you are keeping a mental tally or list of sins against you, you are not truly forgiving at all. Our vertical relationship to God, and our horizontal relationship to others depends on us forgiving as we have been forgiven. We forgive others on the same basis, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and His blood “cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
We are spiritual and moral beings created to be relational to each other, but too often we allow our emotions and creativity to be twisted and used not for the glory of God but to further Satan’s agenda. He is the “prince of the power of the air.” He is the architect of this world’s power structures, directing the course of this world through the powers that be (Eph. 2:2). As the late J.H. Melton writes in his book, Biblical Baptist Theology, “The natural man is always more susceptible to error than truth” (359). The world is the way it is because of sin. Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44). He wishes to drag as many souls as he can with him into the Lake of Fire by corrupting and twisting every good thing that comes from God.
The events and future of this world are fixed; things will get worse and worse for the world as a whole (Book of Revelation, Holy Bible), however, the things of the world are not fixed when concerning your own family. God desires a personal relationship with every person; to be their Lord, their Master, and also their Father. He desires your family to be a model of the Church and will help you as a true loving Father. You must repent of your sin, and place your trust and faith in Jesus Christ. The Heavenly Father has written His will for our lives in His word, and He has given every one of His children (those who are born-again) power to overcome the temptations of sin through the Holy Spirit.
Only with God’s help can any of the problems in your life and family be fixed. Without Him directing, preparing, and guiding you on the righteous path He desires for you, can you truly have a family that effectively communicates and truly loves each other. Without Jesus Christ, you are relying on your own ways, your own thoughts and desires. The evidence listed in this paper about the increasing degradation of our society is enough for you to realize that, as a whole, humanity is not going to “arrive” at a utopia. There is no fairy tale end in store for this world, it will burn up and be destroyed; it will be replaced with a new Heaven and a new earth, but there is hope for your own life, for your own spouse, and for your children. Salvation is a free gift of God (Eph. 2:8). “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Rom. 12:2).
Works Cited
Holy Bible, New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Print.
Bedard, Paul. "Census: Marriage Rate at 93-year Low, Even including Same-sex Couples."
Washington Examiner. Washingtonexaminer.com, 18 Sept. 2014. Web. 11 Feb. 2016. <http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/census-marriage-rate-at-93-year-low-even-including-same-sex-couples/article/2553600>.
DeYoung, Kevin. "Following Up on Forgiveness." The Aquila Report. N.p., 19 Feb. 2014. Web.
11 Feb. 2016. <http://theaquilareport.com/following-up-on-forgiveness/>.
Dunavant, Don. “Man - Made in the Image of God.” Man - Made in the Image of God. N.p., Oct.
2009. Web. 11 Feb. 2016. <http://www.sbclife.net/articles/2009/10/sla6>.
Kostenberger, Andreas. “The Bible's Teaching on Marriage and Family.” Family Research
Council. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2016. <http://www.frc.org/brochure/the-bibles-teaching-on-marriage-and-family>.
Whitehead, John W. "The Breakdown of the Traditional Family: Why Conservative Christians
Should Rethink Their Blame Game." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 26 May 2011. Web. 11 Feb. 2016. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-w-whitehead/the-breakdown-of-the-trad_b_675444.html>.
VanVonderen, Jeff. “Families Where Grace Is in Place.” Baker Publishing
Group. (2010-11-01) p. 8. Kindle Edition.
Ware, Bruce. "Male and Female Complementarity and the Image of God." Default Podcast.
CBMW, 1 May 2002. Web. 11 Feb. 2016. <http://www.cbmw.org/Journal/Vol-7-No-1/Male-and-Female-Complementarity-and-the-Image-of-God>.
Kostenberger’s revelation is that the real problem is imbedded in society’s attack on marriage and the family. His research into that very issue leads him to the conclusion that “the Judeo-Christian view of marriage and the family with its roots in the Hebrew Scriptures has to a significant extent been replaced with a set of values that prizes human rights, self-fulfillment, and pragmatic utility on an individual or societal level” (Kostenberger,15). Essentially, instead of valuing and obeying God’s intended plan for marriage and family, society has taken God’s instruction out of His own divinely instituted institution and replaced Him with things that we think are far superior. Kostenberger is not saying that human rights, becoming self-fulfilled, and focusing on one’s own life are “problems.” He is saying that these issues have taken over the biblical basis for marriage and family.
Satan’s targeted arena to destroy society began with the very first married couple, Adam and Eve, and he hasn’t ceased his onslaught to this very day. As a whole, society reflects that the devil has stepped up his game in the last sixty years. Census data reflects a declining rate of marriage since 1960, falling from approximately 72% to 50% (Bedard, Census). It is also widely held that 50% of marriages end in divorce. On-demand abortion, gender-role confusion, sexual promiscuity, and governments redefining marriage are other major factors that influence society’s families which, in turn, shapes each individual’s life.
Children are seen as a problem instead of a blessing. Men and women are influenced to become whatever sex they desire. Marriage is seen as something negative so that children have no real structure to emulate themselves when they reach adulthood. Laws have been passed that are fundamentally destroying God’s intention of one man and one woman heading households through a sacred bond of marriage. Society is worse today than yesterday because of these factors. Since the 1960’s, when Satan’s attack on marriage and family went “full steam ahead,” the poverty level has increased, taxes are higher because of new social programs designed to fill the needs of single mom households creating an economic strain on society, and even personal freedoms are being threatened because they have allowed the government to be the “father” of the family. A serious question to ask oneself is, “Are we better off today because of all these changes in the past?”
People are taught in schools that our society is growing and changing for the better and that one day humanity will reach a utopian plateau where everything will finally be ok. All society has to do as a whole is keep working hard and press on making changes in certain areas. That is a lie from the devil. It is a fairy tale that he has used to distort truth and accomplish his goal of eternally separating people from God. Sadly, churches have also fallen victim to his lies. Male leadership is severely lacking. When men won’t step up and willingly step down, the feminist movement instructs women to assume these roles. Marriage and the family is supposed to picture the relationship Jesus has with the church, however, most families are broken and being led now by single mothers who have usurped God’s design because men have failed and neglected their God given place as head of the household (1 Cor. 11:3). Women are taking on more prominent roles in churches that God designed to be a picture of Christ with man as the head. Kostenberger correctly asserts that the root cause of these problem stems from a “lack of commitment to seriously engage the Bible as a whole” (17).
Churches are not the only ones affected by a lack of biblical commitment. Children that have no truth to stand on fall when the world’s problems invade their lives. “Sociologist Paul Amato estimates that if the United States enjoyed the same level of family stability today as it did in 1960, the nation would have 750,000 fewer children repeating grades, 1.2 million fewer school suspensions, approximately 500,000 fewer acts of teenage delinquency, about 600,000 fewer kids receiving therapy, and approximately 70,000 fewer suicides every year” (Whitehead). All of the changes society has made in the last sixty years has not made families come any closer to the utopia that humanity has been duped into believing. People have been tricked into believing that they are taking “one small step” forward for mankind toward complete bliss while the evidence suggests that, as a whole, society has actually taken a “giant leap” backwards.
Obeying God’s design and plan for marriage and the family is the solution, not following society ever further into a black hole of chaos. We are created in God’s image and according to His likeness (Gen. 1:26-27). Professor Don Dunavant correctly quotes in his article, Man – Made in the Image of God, Genesis 1:26, “would have meant to the original readers, 'Let us make man to be like us and to represent us.’” Bruce Ware in his journal article, Male and Female Complementarity and the Image of God, notes that “the image of God in man involves God's creation of divine representations (images of God) who, in relationship with God and each other, function to represent God (imaging God) in carrying out God's designated responsibilities.” Each person reflects the authority of God because they are created by Him and in His image; this is a truth that cannot be changed regardless of one’s faith in Him. Each person is also commanded to function as a faithful representative of God, as His ambassadors to everyone else, proclaiming the Gospel to all mankind; this is commanded, but, unfortunately, it is very seldom obeyed.
“Marriage is a covenant, a sacred bond between a man and a woman instituted by and publicly entered into before God and normally consummated by sexual intercourse.” (Kostenberger, The Bible's Teaching on Marriage and Family). Marriage and family are created by God. He initiated marriage. Marriage involves complementary roles for the man and woman. Neither is created superior or inferior to the other; they are just created differently. She supplies what he lacks and vice versa. Marriage involves a joining of one man and one woman. God did not join Adam with an animal, another man, or even multiple women; this tells us that beastiality, homosexuality, and polygamy are sin. Marriage forms a new family unit into a permanent “one flesh” bond where both people leave their mother and father and cleave to each other, and is only dissolved by death; on earth, God intends marriage to be permanent (Mark 10:9).
In God’s original plan, He created man first and woman to be comparable to him (Gen. 2). The curse has made the relationships of husbands and wives difficult, but not hopeless. The pain of the curse is not only physical, but also mental. From that day forward, parents would know that they are giving birth to children who would now die and be eternally separated from God forever. However, God has given a remedy to the sin problem; Jesus died for our sins, and sent His Holy Spirit to accomplish His will in our lives. With that power in our lives, Parents can now raise their children up in a household that creates an environment where they will have the best chance to know the Lord and be saved.
Children are the heritage of the Lord. Children are God’s reward to a marriage, not a curse as the world wants you to think. However, they are God’s property, His “heritage,” entrusted to parents for only a short time (Ps. 127:3). With the knowledge and power God has given us through the Holy Spirit, parents can now bring their children into obedience correctly and lovingly. We are not to provoke our children to anger but bring them up in nurture and admonition. Parents should and are commanded to correct their children early so, later the rod is not needed; once a child is fixed in his ways as a teenager it is extremely difficult for any real change to take place (Eph. 6:4).
Husbands and wives must set the example between themselves. The Apostle Paul’s instructions are for wives to biblically submit to their husbands as “to the Lord” (Eph. 5:22). “Biblical submission means to willingly yield one’s self to God-given authority and to arrange one’s self under that authority with the proper attitude” (Doucet, Final Exam Review). The world has skewed the word “submission” into a negative connotation, but it is not negative in any way. Submission is not inequality, inferiority, or weakness. Submission is not doing everything your husband says like a slave to a master. Wives are free to express their feelings and concerns. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church following His sacrificial example. They are both to yield to God’s authority and willingly do it with a happy attitude. This is only possible as a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit of God (Eph. 5:18). Husbands and wives must let the word of Christ richly dwell in them both with all wisdom. They must read the Word of God, not as a rule book, but as love. They must submit to Christ by doing what He says. They must do all these things with a willing and happy attitude, not merely outward, but inward, in their hearts.
Communication is one key to unlock a happy marriage. In his book, Families Where Grace is in Place, author Jeff VanVonderen reminds spouses that “Phrases like “I love you,” “You are so capable,” “I’m here for you when you need me,” “I’m glad God put you in our family,” “I’m glad you’re a boy/girl,” “I feel good when I’m with you,” and using a person’s name when speaking to him are just some of the out-loud ways to affirm people” (141). These must be said from a willing heart with a happy attitude. If you are merely saying those phrases to say them without truly meaning them, the recipient will understand through your actions that you do not truly love them, but only placating to their ears. We are constantly reminded that love is not a word, but an action. So you must actively show love, even when you feel wronged.
Problems between spouses will always happen. God does not say that when you get saved you will never sin again, but He does say that He is “just and faithful to forgive sins” (1 John 1:9). When any party in the marriage, whether husband, wife, or children, is sinned against, it is very important to practice forgiveness. Kevin DeYoung cites Chris Brauns definition of forgiveness, in his article, Following Up on Forgiveness, as “a commitment by the offended to pardon graciously the repentant from moral liability and to be reconciled to that person, although not all consequences are necessarily eliminated” (DeYoung). When we are forgiven, God says that He “remembers our sin no more” (Isa. 43:25; Jer. 31:34; Heb. 8:12). God does not forget our sins; He simply does not hold them against us anymore.
The same must be true when we forgive the repentant person when they ask for it. Refusing to acknowledge sin and forgive others corrupts relationships and cuts us off from God’s forgiveness. “And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us” (Luke 11:4), is a casuistic phrase; one causes the other to happen. You will not be forgiven of your sins by God if you do not forgive others of theirs against you (Matt. 6:15). That is why it is so important to understand what forgiveness means and to do it whenever you are asked to do so. The Apostle Peter came to Jesus and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matt. 18:21). Jesus is indicating that you are to forgive whenever you are asked. He is not saying that after 490 times you do not have to forgive; if you are keeping a mental tally or list of sins against you, you are not truly forgiving at all. Our vertical relationship to God, and our horizontal relationship to others depends on us forgiving as we have been forgiven. We forgive others on the same basis, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and His blood “cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
We are spiritual and moral beings created to be relational to each other, but too often we allow our emotions and creativity to be twisted and used not for the glory of God but to further Satan’s agenda. He is the “prince of the power of the air.” He is the architect of this world’s power structures, directing the course of this world through the powers that be (Eph. 2:2). As the late J.H. Melton writes in his book, Biblical Baptist Theology, “The natural man is always more susceptible to error than truth” (359). The world is the way it is because of sin. Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44). He wishes to drag as many souls as he can with him into the Lake of Fire by corrupting and twisting every good thing that comes from God.
The events and future of this world are fixed; things will get worse and worse for the world as a whole (Book of Revelation, Holy Bible), however, the things of the world are not fixed when concerning your own family. God desires a personal relationship with every person; to be their Lord, their Master, and also their Father. He desires your family to be a model of the Church and will help you as a true loving Father. You must repent of your sin, and place your trust and faith in Jesus Christ. The Heavenly Father has written His will for our lives in His word, and He has given every one of His children (those who are born-again) power to overcome the temptations of sin through the Holy Spirit.
Only with God’s help can any of the problems in your life and family be fixed. Without Him directing, preparing, and guiding you on the righteous path He desires for you, can you truly have a family that effectively communicates and truly loves each other. Without Jesus Christ, you are relying on your own ways, your own thoughts and desires. The evidence listed in this paper about the increasing degradation of our society is enough for you to realize that, as a whole, humanity is not going to “arrive” at a utopia. There is no fairy tale end in store for this world, it will burn up and be destroyed; it will be replaced with a new Heaven and a new earth, but there is hope for your own life, for your own spouse, and for your children. Salvation is a free gift of God (Eph. 2:8). “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Rom. 12:2).
Works Cited
Holy Bible, New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Print.
Bedard, Paul. "Census: Marriage Rate at 93-year Low, Even including Same-sex Couples."
Washington Examiner. Washingtonexaminer.com, 18 Sept. 2014. Web. 11 Feb. 2016. <http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/census-marriage-rate-at-93-year-low-even-including-same-sex-couples/article/2553600>.
DeYoung, Kevin. "Following Up on Forgiveness." The Aquila Report. N.p., 19 Feb. 2014. Web.
11 Feb. 2016. <http://theaquilareport.com/following-up-on-forgiveness/>.
Dunavant, Don. “Man - Made in the Image of God.” Man - Made in the Image of God. N.p., Oct.
2009. Web. 11 Feb. 2016. <http://www.sbclife.net/articles/2009/10/sla6>.
Kostenberger, Andreas. “The Bible's Teaching on Marriage and Family.” Family Research
Council. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2016. <http://www.frc.org/brochure/the-bibles-teaching-on-marriage-and-family>.
Whitehead, John W. "The Breakdown of the Traditional Family: Why Conservative Christians
Should Rethink Their Blame Game." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 26 May 2011. Web. 11 Feb. 2016. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-w-whitehead/the-breakdown-of-the-trad_b_675444.html>.
VanVonderen, Jeff. “Families Where Grace Is in Place.” Baker Publishing
Group. (2010-11-01) p. 8. Kindle Edition.
Ware, Bruce. "Male and Female Complementarity and the Image of God." Default Podcast.
CBMW, 1 May 2002. Web. 11 Feb. 2016. <http://www.cbmw.org/Journal/Vol-7-No-1/Male-and-Female-Complementarity-and-the-Image-of-God>.