Unity in Diversity as a Panacea to Marital Divorce in Africa: An Exegetical and Contextual Study of Matthew 19:5

By Dominic Obielosi

Abstract

Scripturally, unity and indissolubility are the basic characteristics of marriage. Traditional African life, deep in her culture upholds this idea with pride. Unfortunately, the contemporary times with her attendant problems seem to experience much turbulence in marital life. Most marriages hardly stand after a few years. It used to be a problem for westerners. Facts have shown that it is also becoming a commonplace in Africa. Some young girls even vouch for single parenthood. This paper views Matt 19:5 with the exegetical lens to propose that resilience in African understanding of marriage as a family affair and not just a couple affair will go a long way in resolving some of the recent marital issues leading to divorce. It argues that a couple becomes one in a compound sense by marriage. People involved must be ready to accept the limitations of the other. It encourages resilience in traditional practice as against modernity.