The Bible teaches that marriage reflects Christ's relationship with the Church. It is a God-ordained, sacred, and exclusive union meant to be formed one time between only one man and only one woman for life.
Simon Olech of The College Fix asked random students on the sidewalk around the University of Pittsburgh if they think marriage is necessary anymore, particularly for families.
"I think it depends on people," one told him. "Some people, for example, can be living together before marriage, and I guess to them, it wouldn't make a difference if they're married or not."
"Ultimately, it's a tax-break," another student responded.
Some see traditional marriage as a provocative concept.
"Today, like, very controversial … very different than what it used to be," a student told Olech.
Still, some value the institution.
"I think marriage is you and someone are building a covenant with God," a girl replied. "Under God, you guys become one, and I think that's a really, really big commitment. You literally join finances, souls – everything. So … unless you're mature enough and ready for that, it's like a big step."
David Closson, director of the Center for Biblical Worldview at the Family Research Council (FRC), does not think most generations think about marriage that way. He says there is "pretty profound confusion about what marriage is" and why governments have historically recognized and even incentivized it.
He mentions a new FRC report about churchgoers' definitions of marriage and family.
"46% of regular churchgoers told us they defined the family as people united by God's design – one man one woman and the children that come from that union," Closson relays. "20% of churchgoers told us that family was a group of people who care for each other. 22% told us the definition changes over time and across culture, and then another 6% of churchgoers just told us a family is just any people that live together."
68% of respondents said that one man, one woman constitutes marriage, which Closson says is down a few points from when FRC did the survey two years ago.
"Whether it's marriage, whether it's family, it's not just the broader culture that's struggling; it's those of us who regularly attend church as well," he laments.
He thinks Olech's video displays the "widespread pervasive confusion" of what marriage is and says young, single people looking for a spouse can easily be swayed in the wrong direction.
Scripture, not social media, movies, or changing cultural norms, should help them find a spouse because real love is a divine design found in "covenant faithfulness," not a human invention that can be found on a screen or in a feeling.
"We need to reinforce the idea that marriage is God's design, not a social invention," Closson submits.
Noting Ephesians 5, he promotes godly character over cultural appeal.
"It's important for especially Gen. Z, millennials who are putting off marriage to understand that a godly husband or wife isn't defined by looks or career or charisma, but it really is about faithfulness, humility, [and] a shared commitment to Christ," the researcher states.
Second, he encourages the pursuit of maturity before marriage, not perfection.
"A lot of young folks think that they need to kind of get their entire life figured out before marriage, and I think it's helpful to be walking faithfully with the Lord," says Closson. "You're committed to growing in grace. You're ready to serve rather than be served."
He wants to help people understand marriage reflects the gospel and that it is a sanctifying institution.
"The Church should teach and model biblical marriage [because] young people won't pursue what they've never seen," Closson states.
He thinks churches should mentor young couples by highlighting healthy marriages and reminding them that marriage is "a beautiful gift from God."
