Support First Things by turning your adblocker off or by making a  donation. Thanks!

In his latest On the Square column , Joe Carter explains the “mutual help” model of marriage:

The institution of marriage, under this model, becomes the joining together in a one-flesh union of two individuals, a physical embodiment of the mysterious paradox of unity and diversity. However, it would be mischaracterizing the role of helper to confuse it with a yin-and-yang style complementarity. Recognizing the differences between the male and the female should not cause us to forget how much alike we are and how many individual needs we share in common. Too often our culture encourages us to buy into the myth that the perfect spouse is one who completes us, rather than one who can aid us in our journey in becoming whole.

Tags

Loading...

Filter First Thoughts Posts

Related Articles