How a Classic Christian Definition of Marriage Challenges Modern Narratives

On page 367, Brown's definition of marriage clearly outlines a structure and purpose that many modern Protestants and Christians, it is argued, have either overlooked or been encouraged to disregard by dominant secular and progressive viewpoints... In contemporary Christian culture, the primary purpose of marriage is often emphasized as companionship, emotional fulfillment, and mutual support (Brown’s 'mutual comfort'). This is frequently portrayed as the highest good, echoing modern Western culture's emphasis on individual happiness and self-actualization. When mutual comfort becomes the sole or overwhelmingly primary purpose, the complementary goals of procreation and the spiritual edification of children recede in importance. The success of secular and feminist narratives in redefining marriage lies, in part, in their ability to isolate and critique the traditional model's perceived negative aspects while simultaneously promoting a replacement model that aligns perfectly with the modern cultural obsession with individual autonomy and emotional satisfaction.