Sanctifying Union: The Resacramentalization of Marriage as a Theological Horizon
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Abstract
This study undertakes a critical theological exploration of the resacramentalization of Protestant marriage, engaging with Luther’s matrimonial theology and its implications for contemporary ecclesial and societal contexts. It posits that the sacramental elevation of marriage within Protestant traditions holds profound significance, mirroring the Trinitarian dynamic and fostering a renewed understanding of conjugal union as a conduit of divine grace. By examining scriptural foundations, historical theological perspectives, and contemporary socio-cultural realities, this research argues for the restoration of marriage’s sacred character. The investigation delves into the multifaceted dimensions of sacramental marriage, highlighting its potential to cultivate ethical social conduct, contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, and promote ecumenical dialogue. It emphasizes the intrinsic link between marital sanctity and societal stability, advocating for a theological framework that underscores the indissoluble nature of the marital covenant. Furthermore, the study explores the Trinitarian implications of marriage, positioning it as a manifestation of God the Father, analogous to the Holy Spirit’s role in baptism and Christ’s in the Lord’s Supper. This research posits that the resacralization of marriage offers a transformative vision for Protestant churches, fostering spiritual edification, strengthening communal bonds, and addressing contemporary societal challenges. By re-evaluating the sacramental nature of marriage, this study contributes to a renewed theological discourse, advocating for a unified Protestant perspective that resonates with the enduring values of the Christian faith. It asserts that the restoration of marriage's sacred character is not merely a theological exercise, but a vital contribution to the spiritual and social well-being of both church and society.
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Hajatiana, L. L., & Robijaona Rahelivololoniaina Baholy. (2025). Sanctifying Union: The Resacramentalization of Marriage as a Theological Horizon. SIASAT, 10(3), 162-171. https://doi.org/10.33258/siasat.v10i3.204
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References
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McGrath, D. P. (2015). Marriage as sacrament and covenant: A new model for pre-marriage education based upon the rite of marriage [Thesis]. https://doi.org/10.4226/66/5a9cb463b0b6c
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Ratsimandisa, H. Z., Rakotomalala, N. R., Andrianjary, M., Razanadrasoa, V. B., Ratiarimanajatovo, N., Ramiadamahefa, T., Solofomiarana, R. B. A., & Robijaona Rahelivololoniaina, R. (2024). Navigating the complexities of advancing human rights in Madagascar: Persistent challenges and opportunities for reform. Konfrontasi Journal: Culture, Economy and Social Changes, 11(3), 159–182. https://doi.org/10.33258/konfrontasi2.v11i3.307
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Ryrie, C. C., & Doriath, A. (2005). ABC de théologie chrétienne. la Maison de la Bible. https://maisonbible.ch/3011-abc-de-theologie-chretienne-pdf-9782826097594.html
Schliesser, C. (2023). On the significance of religion for the SDGs: Proposal review. Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003332275
Sobotka, T., & Berghammer, C. (2021). Demography of family change in Europe. In Sociology, social policy and education 2021 (chap. 10, pp. 162–186). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788975544.00019
Sustainable family business. (2024). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-57999-8
Wright, N. T. (2008). Surprised by Hope : Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. HarperOne.
Ydo, Y. (2022). Reaching SDG 4: Our shared responsibility and renewed commitment to action. Prospects, 52, 223–229. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11125-022-09628-3
Alexander, T. D., & Rosner, B. S. (2006). Dictionnaire de théologie biblique. Éd. Excelsis.
Andriamanantsalama, R. E., & Robijaona Rahelivololoniaina, B. (2024). The interplay of Malagasy cultural values and quality assurance within an ecclesial setting: A case study of the Tranovato Ambatonakanga Temple, Antananarivo. Lakhomi Journal: Scientific Journal of Culture, 5(4), 221–241. https://doi.org/10.33258/lakhomi.v5i4.1263
Andriantsilaniarivo, T., & Robijaona, R. R. (2025). Christians facing the challenge of poverty: The case of FJKM Ambohidavenona Lovasoa. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 165–174. https://doi.org/10.33258/birci.v8i1.8056
Bachkirov, A. A., Razzak, M. R., & Palalić, R. (2025). A friend or a foe? Exploring the paradoxes of entrepreneurial anger from a decision-making perspective. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEC-08-2024-0161
Barakat, B., Bengtsson, S., Muttarak, R., Kebede, E. B., Crespo Cuaresma, J., KC, S., & Striessnig, E. (2016). Education & the sustainable development goals: Part 1: Education as a driver of sustainable change. Part 2: Modelling SDG scenarios for educational attainment and development 1 [Background paper commissioned for the Global Education Monitoring Report 2016, Education for people and planet: Creating sustainable futures for all]. International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. Retrieved from gemreport@unesco.org.
Bible de Jérusalem, Cerf / Verbum bible, 4ème Edition, 2014, p. 1486
BIBLE SEGOND, « Bible avec notes de référence », Société Biblique de Genève, 2007, p. 1378
Bodeker, G., Pecorelli, S., Choy, L., Guerra, R., & Kariippanon, K. (2020). Well-being and mental wellness. Global Public Health. Oxford Research Encyclopedias. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190632366.013.162
Bracke, P. F., Colman, E., Symoens, S. A., Van Houtte, M., & Vander Vennet, R. (2010). Divorce, divorce rates, and professional care seeking for mental health problems in Europe: A cross-sectional population-based study. BMC Public Health, 10, 224. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-10-224.
Buckler, A. (2008). Jean Calvin et la mission de l’Église (Olivétan). Éd. Olivétan.
Calvin, J., Védrines, M. de, & Wells, P. (2009). Institution de la religion chrétienne. Éd. Kerigma Éd. Excelsis.
Deheuvels, N., & Paya, C. (2016). Famille et conjugalité : Regards chrétiens pluridisciplinaires. Éditions Excelsis la Cause.
Ellison, C. G., Henderson, A. K., Glenn, N. D., & Harkrider, K. E. (2011). Sanctification, stress, and marital quality. Family Relations, 60(4), 404–420. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2011.00658.x
Fernandez-Vallado, M. (2025). Towards a policy framework for microfinance: Innovative financial solutions for sustainable development. In Microfinance, financial innovation, and sustainable entrepreneurship in economics (chap. 6). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-6622-6.ch006
Goldstein, E. D. (2007). Sacred moments: Implications on well-being and stress. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 63(10), 1001–1019. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20402
Gounelle, A. (1990). Protestantismes et sacrements. Laval théologique et philosophique, 46(2), 197. https://doi.org/10.7202/400533ar
Johnson, T. M. (2016). The demographics and dynamics of the world Christian movement. In L. Sanneh & M. J. McClymond (Eds.), The Wiley Blackwell companion to world Christianity (chap. 52). Wiley Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118556115.ch52
Kontogiannis, G. (2024). The evolution of family-related behaviours in the Western Balkans and their impact on present and future family and population structures: An analysis concerning the period 1945–2050. In K. N. Zafeiris, B. Kotzamanis, & C. Skiadas (Eds.), Population studies in the Western Balkans (European Studies of Population, Vol. 1 26, chap. 5). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-53088-3_5
Köstenberger, A. J., & Jones, D. W. (2010). God, marriage, and family: Rebuilding the biblical foundation (2nd ed.). Crossway.
Luther, M. (1520). Le Traité de la liberté chrétienne (Première édition). Edition originale.
Mahoney, A. (2013). The spirituality of us: Relational spirituality in the context of family relationships. In K. I. Pargament, J. J. Exline, & J. W. Jones (Eds.), APA handbook of psychology, religion, and spirituality (Vol. 1): Context, theory, and research (pp. 365–389). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14045-020
Mahoney, A., Pargament, K. I., Murray-Swank, A., & Murray-Swank, N. (2003). Religion and the sanctification of family relationships. Review of Religious Research, 44(3), 220–236.
McGrath, D. P. (2015). Marriage as sacrament and covenant: A new model for pre-marriage education based upon the rite of marriage [Thesis]. https://doi.org/10.4226/66/5a9cb463b0b6c
Mollier, L., Seyler, F., Chotte, J.-L., & Ringler, C. (2017). 1 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture: SDG 2. 2 In A. S. Stevance (Ed.), A guide to SDG interactions: From science to implementation (pp. 31–80). ICSU.
O'Donovan, O. (2024). Love in Christian ethics. In B. N. Wolfe et al. (Eds.), St Andrews encyclopaedia of theology. https://www.saet.ac.uk/Christianity/LoveinChristianEthics
Paya, C., & Farelly, N. (2013). La foi chrétienne et les défis du monde contemporain : Repères apologétiques. Éd. Excelsis.
Pervin, S., Ismail, M. N., & Noman, A. H. M. (2021). Human capabilities approach to reduce inequalities. In W. Leal Filho, A. Marisa Azul, L. Brandli, A. Lange Salvia, P. Gökçin Özuyar, & T. Wall (Eds.), Reduced inequalities. Encyclopedia of the UN sustainable development goals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95882-8_11
Pew Research Center. (2013). The future of world religions: Population growth projections, 2010-2050. [PDF]. Retrieved May 4, 2016
Raharinosy, V. I., & Robijaona Rahelivololoniaina, B. (2024). Action research and social faith: What contribution to the development process? The case of Mangatsiotra (South-East Madagascar). SIASAT Journal of Social, Cultural and Political Studies, 9(2), 96–109. https://doi.org/10.33258/siasat.v9i2.176
Ratsimandisa, H. Z., Rakotomalala, N. R., Andrianjary, M., Razanadrasoa, V. B., Ratiarimanajatovo, N., Ramiadamahefa, T., Solofomiarana, R. B. A., & Robijaona Rahelivololoniaina, R. (2024). Navigating the complexities of advancing human rights in Madagascar: Persistent challenges and opportunities for reform. Konfrontasi Journal: Culture, Economy and Social Changes, 11(3), 159–182. https://doi.org/10.33258/konfrontasi2.v11i3.307
Richie, C. (2017). Marriage: Patriarchal, sacramental, or covenantal? Priscilla Papers, 31(3). 1 https://www.cbeinternational.org/
Ryrie, C. C., & Doriath, A. (2005). ABC de théologie chrétienne. la Maison de la Bible. https://maisonbible.ch/3011-abc-de-theologie-chretienne-pdf-9782826097594.html
Schliesser, C. (2023). On the significance of religion for the SDGs: Proposal review. Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003332275
Sobotka, T., & Berghammer, C. (2021). Demography of family change in Europe. In Sociology, social policy and education 2021 (chap. 10, pp. 162–186). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788975544.00019
Sustainable family business. (2024). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-57999-8
Wright, N. T. (2008). Surprised by Hope : Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. HarperOne.
Ydo, Y. (2022). Reaching SDG 4: Our shared responsibility and renewed commitment to action. Prospects, 52, 223–229. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11125-022-09628-3