Well, in western society we have went from arranged marriage to courtship to dating and now it seems hook ups.
We know that hook ups are wrong. There's emotional involvement before you even get to know the person, this is not a good basis for any sort of relationship and not to mention the spiritual aspect of joining with another person. It violates everything that is God honouring in a relationship.
Arranged marriage doesn't need any explanation and is still a part of other cultures around the world... Is it right or wrong? It wouldn't be my preferred method.
Courtship has merit, in times gone past you got to see the other person in the home, in church and out and about in public. Space and time to grow in friendship.
Dating is a (very) modern concept which ultimately has led to the hook up culture. I'm not saying dating is wrong, I'm just saying wisdom and common sense needs to be used.
I would agree with you that no matter which way you interact and get to know your future spouse does not guarantee a happy or successful marriage. But what does guarantee a happy marriage?
Love isn't always about feelings.. It's about being like our Master... being a servant. Commitment to the good of the other. Love thy neighbour as ourselves. Learning how to resolve arguments and disagreements and not letting the sun go down with anger in the heart. Not letting vanity expose our hearts when someone of the opposite sex other than a spouse butter us up with smooth talk or helping to resolve problems etc etc. and the list goes on..
Thanks
I will like to say knowing your spouse must to be in a godly way if really you need a long lasting marriage, The way you know your spouse matters because it will brings to you more confident of whom he or she is.
God can't take the place of a man, meaning there are things we need to do for ourselves that could have help us more and as well avert future marriage disaster and a heart break.
when you want to get marry to drunker without getting to know or a whoremonger as a single sister or brother in Christ don't you think is quite dangerous?
don't you think such marriage will never be peaceful?
or May be as well the parent of the spouse are not in support yet you went ahead to woo your spouse don't you think there may be danger ahead when the bible says honor your father and mother so that your days may be long.
So the way you know your spouse matters a lot and it avoids a future disaster...
Thanks for your contribution