Robert EvansFollow

Date

6-2017

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Theology and Apologetics (PhD)

Chair

Chet Roden

Keywords

Aberrant, Lust, Marriage, One Flesh, Polygamy, Union

Disciplines

Christianity | Comparative Methodologies and Theories | Other Religion | Religion | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Abstract

Genesis is a book of beginnings. Furthermore, Genesis describes the beginning of the relationship between man and woman. That relationship, as found in Gen 2:24, becomes the standard ideal for the one-flesh union set forth by God. Sadly, Genesis 3 tells of the beginning of sin, and how sin damaged the ideal union. And, although sin has persisted and flourished, the standard of Gen 2:24 never changed, nor was it replaced. Thus, the following dissertation seeks to locate, examine, and discuss the various one-flesh, man-woman relationships in Genesis. The first chapter of this research examines the one-flesh relationship found in Gen 2:24. Then the primary focus looks upon the various passages that expose aberrant or polluted unions between men and women as they refused to follow the ideal paradigm. This study first looks at polygamous unions – Gen 4:19–24; 16:1–16; 26:34–35; 28:6–9; 29:15–30; 29:31–30:24; 34:1–31; 35:22, and 38:2. Then it examines relationships built upon lust and the personal gain that can be obtained from lust – Gen 6:1–3; 9:18–25; 12:10–20; 19:1–11; 20:1–18; 26:6–11; 38:11–30; and 39:7–20. Additionally, another section studies unions characterized by depraved sexual aberrance – 19:30–38 and 38:6–10. Lastly, there are two passages found in Genesis, chapter 24 and Gen 41:45, that appear to uphold the ideal standard set forth in Gen 2:24. Those two passages are covered in the last chapter of this paper. The last part of this paper summarizes that not only does Gen 2:24 remain the standard for the union between man and woman in Genesis, it became the regulatory idea behind passages in the Torah, the Prophets, the Writings, and the New Testament that address godly relationships.

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