결혼신학의 흐름과 교회의 적용

Abstract

The echo-generation, also called millennials, refers to a generation that has given up on employment, marriage, and childbirth. The greatest factors delaying marriage for this generation are unemployment and an increase in living expenses. Even those who have a loved one put off marriage due to dissatisfaction about the present and hopelessness about the future. How can the Church and theological thinkers approach this issue? This study observes the phenomena on non-marriage, late-marriage, and the increase in single-person households, while examining marriage based on three theological models: (1) the modern, secular definition of marriage based on the Enlightenment's concept of ‘marriage as a contract', (2) the Catholic tradition of marriage as ‘a scared ceremony’, and (3) the Protestant reformers’ explanation of ‘marriage as a covenant'. Based on these three theological marriage models, this study explores ways that the Church might apply these models in a balanced manner to the echo-generation, and proposes the following conclusions. First, through the model of ‘marriage as a contract’, the church can help the echo- generation understand the process of being a ‘conscious single’. The church must help millennials to prepare to live a balanced Christian, theologically-based lifestyle, regardless of their independent and responsible decision to remain single or married. Second, through the model of marriage as a sacred ceremony, the church must prepare a wedding ceremony with holiness that is approachable by the echo-generation. Marriage itself is not a means to receive God's grace, but the church must provide a ceremony that embodies both worldly and spiritual aspects to help couples experience holy union. Third, through the model of ‘marriage as a covenant’, the church should assist millennials in learning how to build love and intimacy. In this way, a new culture of marriage would be created on the foundation of the calling of and covenant with God.