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The New Evangelicals Podcast

143. Why You Don't Want A Biblical Marriage // Jennifer Bird

May 23, 2023
In this episode, Tim sits down with Dr. Jennifer Bird, a PHD researcher on the concept of marriage in the Bible. Dr. Bird challenges the validity of evangelical proof-texts for 'biblical marriage', explains why the words 'husband' and 'wife' don't belong in English translations of Genesis, and discusses how the Biblical depiction of marriage is driven by ownership, rather than love.
01:30:05

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The biblical view of marriage is rooted in a patriarchal society where women were treated as property and had little agency.
  • The Bible's portrayal of sexual ethics is centered around protecting a man's property rather than emphasizing emotional and relational aspects.

Deep dives

The Bible's View on Marriage: A Different Perspective

The podcast delves into the biblical perspective on marriage, challenging the popular notion that the Bible provides a clear and unambiguous definition of marriage. It discusses how the concept of marriage in the Bible is more nuanced, acknowledging the historical and cultural context in which these texts were written. Specifically, it highlights how the biblical view of marriage is rooted in a patriarchal society, where women were treated as property and had little agency. It sheds light on the fact that the Bible does not present a model of marriage based on love, consent, or equal partnership. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of understanding the genre and context of these texts to gain a deeper understanding of their intended meaning.

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