Marriage

Theses A and B below represent the complementary pair, Unity and Diversity, as they apply to the Christian concept of marriage. The upper theses offer a moderate synthesis that can be affirmed without contradiction. The lower theses, -B and -A, represent e xaggerations of A and B respectively that are commonly stated. Click the 'more' links for more details on each of the views. This is one of three complementary pairs linked by the left and right arrows. Overview of this dialogic diagram.

Also see 3-D Overview.

Unity and Diversity

A: Unity: Marriage is one relationship, not just two people. Both partners serve and uphold the relationship.
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B: Diversity: Marriage affirms the uniqueness and differences of each individual in the dynamics of the relationship.
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-B: In the pursuit of oneness, some couples strive to duplicate each other and repress their differences. This is unrealistic.
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-A: Exaggeration of diversity leads to marriage as merely two individuals; a loss of the third entity, the one relationship.
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Marriage

Theses B and C below represent the complementary pair, Diversity and Equality, as they apply to the Christian concept of marriage. The upper theses offer a moderate synthesis that can be affirmed without contradiction. The lower theses, -C and -B, represent exaggerations of B and C respectively that are commonly heard. Click the 'more' links for more details on each of the views. This is one of three complementary pairs linked by the left and right arrows. Overview of this dialogic diagram.

Also see 3-D Overview.

Diversity and Equality

B: Diversity: The marriage relationship should allow both partners to be fulfilled in ways appropriate to their individual needs and gifts.
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C: Equality: Each partner contributes to the marriage relationship, and each is equally responsible for maintaining its stability.
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-C: Rejection of equality in favor of diversity occurs when one says "there must be one leader and one follower." The relationship suffers when one dominates the other.
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-B: Exaggeration of equality leads to a fractional concept: each tries to contribute 50%. This leaves out half of each person.
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Marriage

Theses C and A below represent the complementary pair, Equality and Unity, as they apply to the Christian concept of marriage. The upper theses offer a moderate synthesis that can be affirmed without contradiction. The lower theses, -A and -C, represent exaggerations of C and A respectively that are commonly heard. Click the 'more' links for more details on each of the views. This is one of three complementary pairs linked by the left and right arrows. Overview of this diagram

Also see 3-D Overview.

Equality and Unity

C: Equality: God has created each person unique. God's plan for each is different, and the marriage relationship should facilitate and not hinder that plan.
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A: Unity: Each partner needs to make sacrifices to help the other, for the sake of the relationship. Unity means mutuality.
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-A: Exaggeration of equality leads to a breakdown of the bond of a relationship; each tries to "go it alone", independently. This is a breakdown of God's ideal for marriage.
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-C: The relationship becomes all; it becomes an all-consuming focus for the life of the couple.
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	Unity and Diversity
	A: Unity: Marriage is one relationship, not just two people. Both partners serve and uphold the relationship. more	B: Diversity: Marriage affirms the uniqueness and differences of each individual in the dynamics of the relationship. more
	-B: In the pursuit of oneness, some couples strive to duplicate each other and repress their differences. This is unrealistic. more	-A: Exaggeration of diversity leads to marriage as merely two individuals; a loss of the third entity, the one relationship. more

	Diversity and Equality
	B: Diversity: The marriage relationship should allow both partners to be fulfilled in ways appropriate to their individual needs and gifts. more	C: Equality: Each partner contributes to the marriage relationship, and each is equally responsible for maintaining its stability. more
	-C: Rejection of equality in favor of diversity occurs when one says "there must be one leader and one follower." The relationship suffers when one dominates the other. more	-B: Exaggeration of equality leads to a fractional concept: each tries to contribute 50%. This leaves out half of each person. more

	Equality and Unity
	C: Equality: God has created each person unique. God's plan for each is different, and the marriage relationship should facilitate and not hinder that plan. more	A: Unity: Each partner needs to make sacrifices to help the other, for the sake of the relationship. Unity means mutuality. more
	-A: Exaggeration of equality leads to a breakdown of the bond of a relationship; each tries to "go it alone", independently. This is a breakdown of God's ideal for marriage. more	-C: The relationship becomes all; it becomes an all-consuming focus for the life of the couple. more