Here Comes the Bride: A Theological Exploration of a Christ-Honoring Wedding
Date of Award
5-5-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Christian Studies
First Reader
Dr. J. Scott Duvall
Second Reader
Dr. Rebecca Jones
Third Reader
Professor Terese Cox
Abstract
There is a reason why weddings have been around for so long: it's the closest picture that people have of Christ's ultimate return. There is no greater picture than a wedding to describe the ultimate Bridegroom (Jesus Christ) coming back for his Bride (the church and his people). Although weddings might look different in many cultures, they all have the same meaning: two people partake in a celebration because they have become one. This raises the question: if God deemed this to be one of the closest representations people have of his return for his people, what are some practical ways Christians can keep this theme at the center of the big day?
This paper will explore the themes of how the term "Be Ready" plays in the betrothal/engagement period and the effort that is required. The next section, "The Invite List - Who's Invited" will discuss how logistics should come second in the process of planning for a wedding. The third chapter will highlight the ceremony aspect of a wedding and discuss the themes of the promise having been fulfilled and the significance of two becoming one. The final chapter will discuss the final element of a wedding: the reception. The two themes discuss the importance of celebrating in the community and that the wait is finally over.
This theological exploration will discuss historical, biblical, and contemporary wedding traditions based on the four elements of a wedding, which highlight the greater picture of Christ coming back for his church. Furthermore, it will discuss that in light of this knowledge, there are key themes that Christian couples should keep in mind as they approach their wedding day.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Richards, Georgia, "Here Comes the Bride: A Theological Exploration of a Christ-Honoring Wedding" (2025). Honors Theses. 1001.
https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/honors_theses/1001
