'Introduction,' to John Witte, Jr. and Eliza Ellison, eds., Covenant Marriage in Comparative Perspective

Abstract

The doctrine of covenant has reemerged in a number of contemporary Jewish, Christian, and Islamic circles as a common trope to map and measure the higher (or spiritual dimensions) of the marital union. The doctrine of covenant has also reemerged separately in a number of recent American states as a convenient means of strengthening marital formation and dissolution requirements. This article is the Introduction to a volume that analyzes the covenant theology and law of marriage in the past and the present. After analyzing the modern covenant marriage movement, the authors demonstrate that Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike view marriage both as a contract and as a covenant.

Keywords: marriage, covenant marriage, contract marriage, pactum, ketubah, kitab, Muslim family law, Jewish family, mutual consent, husband and wife, fidelity, support, betrothals, wedding, Talmud, John Calvin, Geneva, Tametsi, canon law