nuptial theology
Definition
Nuptial theology describes theological reflection on marriage as more than a human institution: as a spiritual and typological unity that mirrors the relationship between Christ and His Church (Eph. 5:25-32). In the corpus authors, marriage is not primarily described as a creation ordinance for procreation, but as a microcosm of the Church — a spiritual unity that represents the Church and therefore also becomes the target of spiritual assaults against the Church.
Usage variants by author
Warnock
Warnock approaches marriage from an ecclesiological perspective: the Christian home is a miniature church, and if the enemy conquers the home, he automatically undermines the Church:
“The Christian home is a miniature ‘church,’ and the Enemy knows that if he overcomes in the home, he automatically overcomes in the Church. We have been advised from various sources that witches and warlocks are praying and fasting for the breaking up of the Christian home.” [Who Are You?, chap. 2]
The wife as the “weaker vessel” (1Pet. 3:7) is not treated by Warnock as inferiority but as a creational parallel to the meekness that characterises the whole anthropological ideal. Weakness and dependence are for God the place of strength (2Cor. 12:10):
“Mothers in Israel! You have a very high calling. Do not boast that you have gifts. But boast in this — that God has made you a ‘weaker vessel,’ that you might know the power and the wisdom of the mighty God of Israel.” [Who Are You?, chap. 4]
Warnock’s nuptial theology stands in direct connection with his teaching on meekness: both marriage and the individual believer are called to a surrender that appears vulnerable in the world’s eyes, but which is the basis of the royal inheritance.