Mystical Union - Good Theology and Gay Marriage

03/12/2012

Mystical Union - Good Theology and Gay Marriage

There has been a lot of noise and heat of late in the discussions around the consultations of governments north and south of the border about the possibility of extending marriage to same sex couples. The noisiest of these noises has come from the north with the preposterously apocalyptic views of Cardinal O'Brien with a more measured pastoral letter coming from Archbishops Nichols and Smith. Indeed, I was pleasantly surprised at some of the very good theology in the letter which, in one place, describes how the creative life of a married couple is a participation in the life of God:

As a Sacrament, this is a place where divine grace flows. Indeed, marriage is a sharing in the mystery of God’s own life: the unending and perfect flow of love between Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

What is not clear to me is why this creative, life-giving mutuality cannot exist between people of the same sex. Indeed, the letter argues to some extent from the experience of married couples, so it would same fair to acknowledge that the experience of same-sex couples is that such unions can be no less mutual, creative or sacramental. And the use of the beautiful image of the 'perfect flow of love' within the Trinity surely takes the thinking far beyond the narrow demand for gender difference within a committed relationship. There is, after all, no gender in God who needs no 'father and mother' to create life. Of course, it is true that same sex couples do not have the biological capacity to reproduce, but this is very far from saying that they do not have the capacity to create a loving family, to love and educate children, to create a welcoming home or to bring to life what lies hidden in each other, their children, their wider families, their friends or, indeed, the wider community.

The letter gets into further theologically awkward territory on the insistence that only mixed sex couples are capable of 'complementarity'. That simply does not reflect the true lived experience of human relationships and may, indeed, play into a very socially conditioned notion of the distinctive roles of the genders. Complementarity does not depend on sex but on mutual understanding (and self-understanding).

But the letter does not draw on one of the most widely used images of the church when referring to marriage; that of a mystical union like the one that exists 'betwixt Christ and his Church' to use the language of the Book of Common Prayer. I suspect this may be because the writers thought they were on safer ground with their argument from nature. But there was a very interesting piece in Saturday's Guardian by a gay Catholic who said that he would not want to be married to his partner because he felt that a civil partnership more clearly expressed mature mutuality in a relationship. Marriage, by contrast, was a relationship that required mutual subjection. While I strongly disagree with his choice of words, I think Martin Pendergast has touched on something that the Archbishops missed. If there is something in marriage that reflects the mystical union between Christ and the Church, it seems likely to me that that 'something' is a mutual sacrificial self-giving which enriches the life of the other. I would say that this is very much not the same thing as 'subjection', which has notions of domination and imbalance but that it is the most perfect reflection of the nature of the 'mystical union' envisaged by the prayer book.

I would suggest that this is at the heart of Christian marriage and I see no reason why it cannot be at the heart of a Christian marriage between people of the same sex.

12 Mar 2012 09:02:11 | theology

27 Comments

Thank you for an enormously helpful clarity and choice of terms. Undoubtedly true.
Let's hope this grimly uncharitable media debate will cease, though hoping that these RC spokes-persons may glimpse the cruelty of exclusion seems a longer (fainter?) prayer.

Posted by: Bene | 03/12/2012 at 09:21 AM

Thanks for an enlightening post.

In my view, there is nothing controversial in a Marriage between same-sex partners. We already have Civil Partnerships, the legal union. What we need is an authentic Sacramental theology of Marriage between same-sex partners. I wrote as much for an Essay on the topic during the discernment process for Ordained Ministry in the CofE.

Perhaps the Catholic Arch Bishops have done a favour by laying down some ground breaking theology, which can be extended and adapted to the purpose.

I long for the Church to overcome its prejudice and inhibitions and to bring same-sex partners into the same sacramental relationship that I enjoy with my spouse. it's not about fairness, its about respect for the integrity and dignity of those involved in same-sex relationships, who are just as much Christians as hetro couples.

The USEC has got a grip on it and now the CofE and others, through the mechanism of the proposed Anglican Covenant seek to isolate and to punish them for following the Spirit ahead of the rest of the Anglican Communion. I am heartened by the level of opposition in the Diocesan Synods against such prejudice.

More persuasion is needed, particularly on the Bishops to show them how out of touch they are with the mainstream within the church. I hope and pray that it will be sooner, rather than later and that they cease their opposition to the Government initiative. which is welcomed much more widely than they seem to know.

Posted by: minidvr | 03/12/2012 at 09:45 AM

Many thanks for your comments. It seems to me that there needs to a much more grown-up discussion about all of this than the one we are treated to in the press. Part of that discussion must include the church's pastoral reflection on the real experiences of couples, gay and straight. Good theology is not afraid of honest reflection on human experience!

Posted by: John McLuckie | 03/12/2012 at 02:34 PM

I find it hard to believe the only alternative for survival is to chase down a bear or cat with dogs in order to supply your family with food.

Posted by: justin bieber shoes | 06/08/2012 at 06:07 AM

I think about half of all arranged marriages turn out happily, and half don’t… and in your culture it is exactly the opposite. I always hate it when my students are smarter than me

Posted by: Sinries Gos Laborales Advice | 12/13/2012 at 08:38 AM

The auction staff are there to help, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Posted by: auto glass guru | 01/15/2013 at 02:03 PM

The Actual Simple Methods To Get educated about watch And Ways One Can Link up with The watch Top dogs

Posted by: バレンシアガ | 07/26/2013 at 07:30 PM

The Best Tips To Get educated about watch Plus The Way You Can Become a part of The watch Elite

Posted by: 腕時計セイコー | 08/08/2013 at 02:12 PM

Meravigliosa, questo Ã¨ un preziose informazioni
ropingMn bb4arg48

Posted by: ropingMn | 08/16/2013 at 09:59 AM

Je pense que vous admettez l'erreur. Je peux prouver cela.
konradMn bb4arg48

Posted by: konradMn | 08/21/2013 at 09:40 PM

Sie sind absolut recht.
jovanyMn bb4arg48

Posted by: jovanyMn | 08/26/2013 at 03:23 AM

C'est la convention, ni il est plus grand, ni moins
firebirdMn bb4arg48

Posted by: firebirdMn | 08/27/2013 at 12:12 PM

Here Is A Tactic That Is Also Aiding bag-gurus To Grow

Posted by: kate spade PILGRIP HILL | 08/27/2013 at 01:17 PM

[url=http://www.gt5a12js8f85x576w2l41849hautj3lcs.org/]ukyeidzpkee[/url]
kyeidzpkee http://www.gt5a12js8f85x576w2l41849hautj3lcs.org/
akyeidzpkee

Posted by: kyeidzpkee | 08/27/2013 at 01:25 PM

Logical question
jimmieMn bb4arg48

Posted by: jimmieMn | 08/29/2013 at 11:06 AM

wnuznrep
wnuznrep http://www.g5r96j8kjnl795k91zg922ig43s32edxs.com/
[url=http://www.g5r96j8kjnl795k91zg922ig43s32edxs.com/]wnuznrep[/url]

Posted by: wnuznrep | 08/29/2013 at 10:03 PM

JDcuOovN
JDcuOovN http://www.Zh9i2wL9Nm3hW334n2tny3.com/
[url=http://www.Zh9i2wL9Nm3hW334n2tny3.com/]JDcuOovN[/url]

Posted by: JDcuOovN | 08/29/2013 at 10:29 PM

Posted by: ARIZONA CARDINALS 15 FLOYD RED JERSEY | 08/29/2013 at 11:02 PM

Sie hat die bemerkenswerte Idee besucht
jacariusMn bb4arg48

Posted by: jacariusMn | 08/31/2013 at 12:48 AM

die Befriedigende Frage
jamariMn bb4arg48

Posted by: jamariMn | 09/01/2013 at 04:25 AM

I do not believe.
lawMn bb4arg48

Posted by: lawMn | 09/03/2013 at 08:27 AM

今日の南伊豆は、新郎?新婦を祝福するかのよ現在開催中の【みなみのGUCCI メンズ時計と菜の花まつり】ですが、本日【菜の花結婚式】が行われました。有名人グッチネックレスの割引が着用していることが一番安いルブタン靴を取得するのは公式のGUCCI メンズ時計の割引でちょうど靴のような名誉のある感じです。

Posted by: グッチの財布 | 09/09/2013 at 03:24 AM

Credo che si sono errati. Scrivere a me in PM, parlare.
ashlynMn bb4arg48

Posted by: ashlynMn | 09/09/2013 at 02:05 PM

Info: watch {Will Have|Can Have|May Have|Will Play} A Key role In Any Website administration

Posted by: 二つ折り長財布コンチネンタルウォッレット | 09/13/2013 at 02:05 PM

1112 chanel bag white sheepskin gold chain 30226 Chanel bag http://www.chcocobag.com/30226-chanel-bag-270891.html 28601 chanel bag black sheepskin silver chain 35955 chanel bag blue oil wax paper 28601 Chanel Bag Black Sheepskin Silver Chain http://www.chcocobag.com/28601-chanel-bag-black-sheepskin-silver-chain-271155.html 1115 chanel bag red sheepskin silver chain 33814 chanel bag black ball pattern gold chain 164 chanel wallet orange litchi lexture cowhide 35955 chanel bag blue oil wax paper http://www.chcocobag.com/35955-chanel-bag-blue-oil-wax-paper-270952.html 50995 chanel bag black ball pattern gold chain 165 chanel wallet black litchi lexture cowhide 33814 Chanel Bag Black Ball Pattern Gold Chain http://www.chcocobag.com/33814-chanel-bag-black-ball-pattern-gold-chain-270688.html 30226 chanel bag 26710 chanel wallet black with white 33814 chanel bag black ball pattern gold chain 164 chanel wallet black litchi lexture cowhide 1115 Chanel Bag Red Sheepskin Silver Chain http://www.chcocobag.com/1115-chanel-bag-red-sheepskin-silver-chain-270547.html 164 chanel wallet black litchi lexture cowhide 35955 chanel bag blue oil wax paper 26720 chanel wallet white with snake grain 1112 Chanel bag White Sheepskin Gold Chain http://www.chcocobag.com/1112-chanel-bag-white-sheepskin-gold-chain-271269.html 165 chanel wallet black litchi lexture cowhide 33814 chanel bag black patent leather gold chain 26720 chanel wallet white with snake grain 1112 chanel bag gray ball pattern gold chain 26720 chanel wallet white with snake grain http://www.chcocobag.com/26720-chanel-wallet-white-with-snake-grain-271252.html 1115 chanel bag red sheepskin silver chain 50995 chanel bag black ball pattern gold chain 165 CHANEL WALLET BLACK LITCHI LEXTURE COWHIDE http://www.chcocobag.com/165-chanel-wallet-black-litchi-lexture-cowhide-270645.html 26717 chanel wallet black with black 35955 chanel bag blue oil wax paper 164 Chanel Wallet Black Litchi Lexture Cowhide http://www.chcocobag.com/164-chanel-wallet-black-litchi-lexture-cowhide-270605.html 1115 chanel bag red sheepskin silver chain 26720 chanel wallet white with snake grain 1115 chanel bag black patent leather silver chain 1118 chanel bag white patent leather silver chain http://www.chcocobag.com/1118-chanel-bag-white-patent-leather-silver-chain-270515.html 50995 chanel bag black ball pattern gold chain 28600 chanel bag royal blue sheepskin gold chain 28600 chanel bag maroon gold chain 26710 chanel wallet black with white http://www.chcocobag.com/26710-chanel-wallet-black-with-white-270633.html 28601 chanel bag sapphire sheepskin silver chain 0901 chanel wallet apricot sheepskin 1115 chanel bag red sheepskin silver chain 26717 Chanel Wallet Black With Black http://www.chcocobag.com/26717-chanel-wallet-black-with-black-270581.html 30226 chanel bag 1115 chanel bag black patent leather silver chain 50995 chanel bag red ball pattern silver chain 50995 chanel bag gray ball pattern with silver lock 50995 chanel bag black ball pattern gold chain http://www.chcocobag.com/50995-chanel-bag-black-ball-pattern-gold-chain-271201.html 165 chanel wallet black litchi lexture cowhide 28601 chanel bag black sheepskin silver chain 1118 chanel bag white patent leather silver chain 28600 Chanel Bag Maroon Gold Chain http://www.chcocobag.com/28600-chanel-bag-maroon-gold-chain-271001.html 1115 chanel bag red sheepskin silver chain 1112 chanel bag white sheepskin gold chain 164 chanel wallet orange litchi lexture cowhide 50995 Chanel Bag Red Ball Pattern Silver Chain http://www.chcocobag.com/50995-chanel-bag-red-ball-pattern-silver-chain-271194.html 28600 chanel bag gray sheepskin gold chain 28600 chanel bag maroon gold chain 50995 chanel bag black ball pattern gold chain 50995 CHANEL BAG GRAY BALL PATTERN WITH SILVER LOCK http://www.chcocobag.com/50995-chanel-bag-gray-ball-pattern-with-silver-lock-271181.html 1118 chanel bag white patent leather silver chain 28601 chanel bag sapphire sheepskin silver chain 26717 chanel wallet black with black 164 chanel wallet black litchi lexture cowhide 0901 chanel wallet apricot sheepskin http://www.chcocobag.com/0901-chanel-wallet-apricot-sheepskin-270590.html 1115 chanel bag black patent leather silver chain 165 chanel wallet black litchi lexture cowhide 33814 chanel bag black patent leather gold chain 28600 chanel bag gray sheepskin gold chain http://www.chcocobag.com/28600-chanel-bag-gray-sheepskin-gold-chain-271020.html 26717 chanel wallet black with black 26710 chanel wallet black with white 33814 chanel bag black patent leather gold chain 50995 chanel bag black ball pattern gold chain 28601 chanel bag sapphire sheepskin silver chain http://www.chcocobag.com/28601-chanel-bag-sapphire-sheepskin-silver-chain-271139.html 1115 chanel bag red sheepskin silver chain 26710 chanel wallet black with white 1115 chanel bag black patent leather silver chain http://www.chcocobag.com/1115-chanel-bag-black-patent-leather-silver-chain-270526.html 30226 chanel bag 50995 chanel bag black ball pattern gold chain 1112 chanel bag white sheepskin gold chain 35955 chanel bag blue oil wax paper 33814 Chanel Bag Black Patent Leather Gold Chain http://www.chcocobag.com/33814-chanel-bag-black-patent-leather-gold-chain-270696.html 164 chanel wallet orange litchi lexture cowhide 26717 chanel wallet black with black 28600 chanel bag gray sheepskin gold chain 28600 Chanel Bag Royal Blue Sheepskin Gold Chain http://www.chcocobag.com/28600-chanel-bag-royal-blue-sheepskin-gold-chain-270997.html 26710 chanel wallet black with white 28601 chanel bag black sheepskin silver chain 0901 chanel wallet apricot sheepskin 28600 chanel bag maroon gold chain 26710 chanel wallet black with patent leather http://www.chcocobag.com/26710-chanel-wallet-black-with-patent-leather-270632.html 33814 chanel bag black patent leather gold chain 26720 chanel wallet white with snake grain 26710 chanel wallet black with white 1118 chanel bag white patent leather silver chain 1112 Chanel Bag Gray Ball Pattern Gold Chain http://www.chcocobag.com/1112-chanel-bag-gray-ball-pattern-gold-chain-270762.html 1115 chanel bag black patent leather silver chain 28600 chanel bag royal blue sheepskin gold chain 164 Chanel Wallet Orange Litchi Lexture Cowhide http://www.chcocobag.com/164-chanel-wallet-orange-litchi-lexture-cowhide-270606.html 50995 chanel bag black ball pattern gold chain 26710 chanel wallet black with white

Posted by: 164 Chanel Wallet Orange Litchi Lexture Cowhide | 09/13/2013 at 03:11 PM

The comments to this entry are closed.

Justluckie

A curious reader

03/12/2012

Mystical Union - Good Theology and Gay Marriage

27 Comments

John McLuckie

Search

My Other Accounts

Recent Comments