The attainment of the truth about marriage was not easy to come by. To give one example, various theories of “primitive promiscuity” have enlivened academic debates now for over 100 years. A bit further in time we are met with some of the fundamental challenges to a developed understanding of marriage both in biblical and classical sources: polygamy, fornication, divorce, adultery, contraception, homosexual activity, inadequate theories of consent. All of these have characterized humanity from the start, and all did their part in slowing the correct discernment of what marriage actually is.
That did not stop the peoples of the pre-modern world from making an effort. Through the progressive revelation of the Old Testament we see unequivocal condemnations of a series of threats to the marital union, as well as a progressive development away from polygamy to monogamy. It went further than that bare evolution, though. That polygamous history was replaced with an elevated and exalted idea of unique spousal love, one that gradually became manifested in God’s covenant relationship with his people, and is explored in such stunning texts as Hosea and the Song of Songs.We see similar progress in the societies of the ancient world. Ritualized prostitution began to be marginalized, while homosexual and pederastic activity was relegated to recreation in Greek society, and altogether to the margins of the Roman Republic. Aristotle recognized fruitful monogamous unions as the source of all society and civilization.
Read more at Truth and Charity.
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