Divorce and Remarriage

In this last weeks class we discussed the difference between a covenant and a contract.  Along with this, I have also given the family as a unit in society a lot of thought.  I have heard from many different people, and many different professions, that family is the fabric of society.  Every individual family and their movement in society make up the success or break up of society as a whole.  I find this to be a powerful observation.  If it is so than why has the idea of family been taken down a rung or two on the priority list of the human living experience?

One example of this lessening of importance can be seen in the marriage agreement itself.  In order to recognize the change, it helps to understand the definition of the two words: Contract and Covenant.

Contract:  Two people/parties meet with agreements on both sides.  If one party keeps up there end of the agreement then the other party must do the same.  If one party fails to keep up there end of the agreement then the contract is null and void.

Covenant:  Two people/parties meet together and agree on terms that are binding.  Binding in that if one party fails to keep up their end of the agreement then the covenant still demands the agreement to be kept by the other party.

What we are beginning to see in the society of marriage is a "contract" attitude towards marriage.  I can understand why people would look at this as good and/or bad.  However, I would invite all of you to consider the affect that this might have on the fabric of our society; which we all expect to be successful.