THEO 140

THE FAMILY AND SOCIETY

Christian Concept of the Family
 Introduction
The conjugal community
is formed through the mutual agreement of two people who decide to
marry.
established on the consent of the spouses.

In the Christian view, marriage and family exist for two main reasons:
the well-being of the spouses and
the care and education of their children.
 Introduction
When a man and a woman come together in marriage, they create a loving partnership.
This love helps to build strong personal relationships within the family and sets up
important responsibilities for each member.

The family typically includes the parents and their children, and this structure is considered
natural and fundamental, existing independently of any legal or governmental recognition.

The essence of a family is built on the love and commitment between spouses, which leads
to the nurturing of children and the establishment of a supportive home environment.
 Introduction
According to Christian belief, when God created man and woman, He established the
human family with a special purpose. Each member of the family has equal worth
and dignity, meaning everyone deserves respect and care.

Within the family, members have different roles and responsibilities, which helps
maintain harmony and support for one another. These diverse duties are not just
for the benefit of the family itself but also contribute positively to society as a
whole. In essence, the family is a foundational unit where equality and shared
responsibilities create a nurturing environment for all its members.
 Divine Origin of the Family
A Christian family is a communion
of persons, and a reflection and
image of the communion of God
the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit. The family's procreative
and educational activities are a
reflection of God's creative work.
 Divine Origin of the Family
ССС 2204: "The Christian family constitutes a specific revelation and
realization of ecclesial communion, and for this reason it can and should be
called a domestic church."

CCC 2207: The family is the original cell of social life. It is the natural
society in which husband and wife are called to give themselves in love and
in the gift of life. The family is the community in which, from childhood,
one can learn moral values, begin to honor God, and make good use of
freedom. Family life is an initiation into life in society.
 Divine Origin of the Family
Pope Pius XI on Casti Connubii on Christian Marriage, let it be repeated as an
immutable and inviolable fundamental doctrine that matrimony was not instituted
or restored by man but by God; not by man were the laws made to strengthen and
confirm and elevate it but by God, the Author of nature, and by Christ Our Lord by
Whom nature was redeemed, and hence these laws cannot be subject to any
human decrees or to any contrary pact even of the spouses themselves. This is the
doctrine of Holy Scripture; this is the constant tradition of the Universal Church;
this the solemn definition of the sacred Council of Trent, which declares and
establishes from the words of Holy Writ itself that God is the Author of the
perpetual stability of the marriage bond, its unity and its firmness.
 Divine Origin of the Family
1664 Unity, indissolubility, and openness to
fertility are essential to marriage. Polygamy is
incompatible with the unity of marriage; divorce
separates what God has joined together; the
refusal of fertility turns married life away from
its "supreme gift," the child (GS 50 # 1).
 Divine Origin of the Family
For even before the first fall, God had wanted to cut short man’s
original solitude and give him a mate: “It is not good that the man
should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him” (Gn 2:18).
This shows that the family is the natural environment in which the
spouses build up their Christian life and practice the virtues. Through
the Sacrament of Marriage, God grants the spouses the graces they
need to become saints in their union and in the cares and chores of
family life.
 THE MOST NATURAL AND NECESSARY COMMUNITY

IN THE CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE, THE FAMILY IS CONSIDERED THE MOST NATURAL AND
NECESSARY COMMUNITY IN SOCIETY. THIS CONCEPT IS ROOTED IN THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT
OF CREATION, WHERE GOD CREATES HUMANS IN HIS OWN IMAGE, MALE AND FEMALE, AND
ESTABLISHES THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY.
 The Christian concept of family is built on several
key principles:
Created by God: The family is seen as a divine institution, created by God to provide a stable and
loving environment for the nurturing of children and the well-being of its members.
Based on Marriage: The Christian concept of family is centered on the union of one man and one
woman in marriage, which is seen as a sacrament and a lifelong commitment.

Focused on Love and Service: Christian families are called to be characterized by love, respect,
and service to one another, reflecting the love and service of Christ.
Intergenerational: Christian families are seen as a vital link between generations, with parents
and grandparents playing a crucial role in passing on faith, values, and traditions to their
children and grandchildren.
 The Importance of Family in Christian Society
In Christian society, the family is considered essential for
several reasons:
Nurturing Faith: The family is seen as the primary context for the nurturing of faith, where
children can learn about God and His love through the example and teaching of their parents.
Social Stability: The family is viewed as a vital institution for social stability, providing a sense
of belonging, security, and identity for its members.
Witness to the World: Christian families are called to be a witness to the world, demonstrating
the love and values of Christ in their relationships and interactions with others.
 The Family is Prior to the State
Since no institution takes precedence over the family, the state cannot claim
rights over it either. On the contrary, the state is bound to respect and protect
the rights and duties of the family, which are the original and primary rights.

The dispositions of state authorities should never interfere with the life and
responsibility of family members for the fulfillment of their own ends. In this
field, too, the principle of subsidiarity must be applied. Society, and more
specifically the state, must acknowledge that “every family … is a society with
its own basic rights.” Thus, the state has the serious obligation of observing the
principle of subsidiarity in its relationship with the family:
 The Family is Prior to the State
By virtue of this principle, the State cannot and must not take away from
families the functions that they can just as well perform on their own or in
free associations; instead, it must positively favor and encourage as far as
possible responsible initiative by families.

In the conviction that the good of the family is an indispensable and essential
value of the civil community, the public authorities must do everything
possible to ensure that families have all those aids — economic, social,
educational, political, and cultural assistance — that they need in order to face
all their responsibilities in a human way.
The Essential Element of the Human Community
CHRISTIAN TEACHING VIEWS THE FAMILY AS THE FOUNDATION OF
SOCIETY, WHERE INDIVIDUALS FIRST EXPERIENCE LOVE, COMMUNITY,
AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. ACCORDING TO CATHOLIC DOCTRINE,
THE FAMILY IS THE "PRIMARY CELL" OF SOCIAL LIFE, CRUCIAL FOR
NURTURING MORAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

DOCUMENTS LIKE THE CATECHISM AND ST. JOHN PAUL II’S

“FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO” EMPHASIZE THE FAMILY’S ROLE IN SHAPING
VIRTUES THAT SUPPORT A HEALTHY AND COHESIVE SOCIETY.
The Essential Element of the Human Community
The Family as the Foundation of Society: The family is often referred to as
the as a "school for human enrichment."
The Principle of Free Giving and Solidarity: A key concept in Catholic social
teaching is that relationships within the family should be marked by “free
giving,” or selfless love and care without expecting anything in return.
Domestic Church and Community Formation: In Christian teaching, the family
is seen as a "domestic Church" (Familiaris Consortio, 1981).
Challenges to Family Life: Despite modern challenges like materialism,
individualism, and social pressures, the family remains resilient.
 The Essential Element of the Human Community
The family, as an essential element of the human community fulfills multiple
roles: nurturing individuals, fostering social values, and contributing to the
common good. Rooted in faith, it serves as a vital connection between personal
growth and civic responsibility. By embracing its calling to be a "domestic
Church," the family strengthens both the Church and society, creating a ripple
effect of love, justice, and service across communities. This holistic vision of the
family underscores its irreplaceable role in building societies grounded in faith
and compassion.
 REFERENCES
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