What Is Meant By Calling Marriage A Natural Institution?

If marriage is a pre-political institution then none of the measures laid down by the state (e.g. registration, marriage certificates etc.) make a marriage legitimate in God’s eyes. In which case, what does constitute a legitimate marriage in God’s eyes? One answer I’ve been given, based on Genesis 1-2, is something along the lines of: a man and a woman who make promises to each other before God and some witnesses. What are you thoughts on this, and which passage(s) would you use to make your case?

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Does New Creation Undermine Natural Law?

What implications does the promise of new creation have for Christian ethics? Specifically does new creation undermine natural law ethics since we are now to orientate our lives, not towards what is revealed in nature, but towards the new creation established by God in Christ. What implications does this have for issues in which Christians often appeal to natural law arguments – marriage, sexuality, gender issues etc…?

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Are We Living in the Last Days?

How should we understand the description of bad behavior in the “Last Days” in 2 Timothy 3? For one, isn’t the list of sinfulness characteristic of a great many ages and time periods? And in fact, its frequently used as a contemporary warning by preachers: “look at how much things are like this now. Truly these are the Last Days!” Can we find hope in this text?

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Tips For Reading Your Bible Better

How do you go about noticing intertextual links? Is is mostly intuitive based on large exposure to the Bible? Do you do particular searches? Is it just checking cross-references (is there a similar apparatus for the BHS like there is for the NA28, for instance)? Any insight is appreciated.

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Do you have any set notetaking when it comes to Scripture in order to remember insights, intertextual links, important points on tricky passages, etc.? If yes, how do you go about it and organize it?

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