Abstract
Sketches Murray Bowen's theoretical construct of differentiation of self in marital reltionship and relates it to a biblical view of marriage in which two persons become “one flesh.” Develops the biblical notion of covenant and uses it to critique emotionally fused marital relationships and to provide an ethical context for the differentiation of self. Argues for a perspective in which selfhood is formed in community and in which persons find their deepest meanings when individualism is transcended. Claims that a theological and ethical framework provide especially fruitful ways of understanding differentiation of self in marriage. Case material is used to illustrate the theoretical discussion.
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