Rethinking the Christian vow of matrimonial indissolubility amidst persistent domestic violence in contemporary Nigerian marriages

Abstract

This study examines how the Christian Church’s marital vow irrevocability, particularly the Anglican Church of Nigeria’s nuptial oath, perpetuates domestic abuse by enforcing lifelong endurance amid violence. This qualitative study relies solely on extant literature and digital news records. The data was analyzed using thematic content analysis. It employs Social Exchange Theory in reinforcing the study’s rationales: It reveals that rigid doctrinal adherence traps spouses in violent unions, advancing fear of ostracization and escalating the risks of homicide or mutilation. Theological exegesis of Matthew 19:9, 1 Corinthians 7:15, Exodus 21:10-11, and Malachi 2:16 challenges absolutism, promoting the idea that divorce can be ethically justified not only for adultery but also for abuse. Findings underscore the paradox of vows enabling exploitation and suffering. The study urges doctrinal-legal reforms redefining marriage as a dignity-based covenant with conditional dissolution clauses, prioritizing safety over permanence. It calls for collaborative efforts by religious institutions and civil society to legitimize divorce in life-threatening contexts, shifting marriages from pain to partnership.