And while the church preached a single standard of exclusive sexual fidelity, in many ways it acceded to the double standard. In the modern period, however the notion of romantic marriage has demanded not only sexual exclusivity but also lifelong companionship and sexual satisfaction. Ruether wonders if we have not lifted up the wrong priority by apparently prizing sexual exclusivity over enduring, intimate companionship and personal fidelity. Sexuality, indeed, is an inevitably component of all interpersonal relations. And it is not the case that genital exclusivity in marriage necessarily means that other friendships must, for that reason, be devoid of sensual a warmth and emotional depth.
Marriage indeed has a future.
And its forms will change. Yet it has served many well and doubtless will continue to do so. But the future will likely be marked by plurality more than uniformity in marital forms. Nevertheless, I believe that as marital forms take their shape from the reality of God's incarnate love there will be certain characteristics and distinctive qualities about them. And they will be covenants which, in one way or another, genuinely enlarge the partners' capacity for communion with others and expand their willingness to be part of God's work of giving new life and renewal to the world.