1 Corinthians 10:23

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

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Is it a SIN to marry a non-Christian?• Popular answer: it is a sin– Catholic view: “disparity of cult”, sacrament

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

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1633 In many countries the situation of a mixed marriage (marriage between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic) often arises. It requires particular attention on the part of couples and their pastors. A case of marriage with disparity of cult (between a Catholic and a non-baptized person) requires even greater circumspection.

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

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1635 According to the law in force in the Latin Church, a mixed marriage needs for liceity the express permission of ecclesiastical authority.137 In case of disparity of cult an express dispensation from this impediment is required for the validity of the marriage.138

…

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

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…This permission or dispensation presupposes that both parties know and do not exclude the essential ends and properties of marriage; and furthermore that the Catholic party confirms the obligations, which have been made known to the non-Catholic party, of preserving his or her own faith and ensuring the baptism and education of the children in the Catholic Church.139

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

From the Question Box Citations taken directly from:

Catechism of the Catholic Church,Part Two: The Celebration of the Christian Mystery; Section Two: The Seven Sacraments of the Church; Chapter Three: The Sacraments at the Service of Communion;Article 7: The Sacrament of Matrimony;III: Matrimonial Consent;“Mixed Marriages and Disparity of Cult”

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

From the Question Box

Is it a SIN to marry a non-Christian?• Popular answer: it is a sin– Catholic view: “disparity of cult”, sacrament– Christianity Today (Presbyterian publisher, mainstream denominational ideas)– Christians: popular practice, “taboos”

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

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Is it a SIN to marry a non-Christian?• Popular answer: it is a sin– “Proof”: 2 Cor. 6:14; Ex. 34:10-16; Dt. 7:1-4 › “unequally yoked”: literally “yoked together with a different type”

› certainly a sin for JEW to marry Gentile

› based on Dt. 22:9-11; applied to marriage

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

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Is it a SIN to marry a non-Christian?• Popular answer: it is a sin– “Proof”: 2 Cor. 6:14; Ex. 34:10-16; Dt. 7:1-4

› “Come out from among them…be separate” would contradict “Let him not divorce her…”

– But: 2 Co. 6:17-18; 1 Co. 7:10-16; 1 Pt. 3:1

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

From the Question Box “…I also think the sin of marrying a non-Christian differs from a sin such as anger, which is something I might engage in daily. My guilt with that sin is ongoing. Once you’ve married someone who isn’t a believer, I don’t think God tallies that sin for every day of your marriage.”

Nancy Ortberg, from “Unequally Yoked: Is It a Sinto Marry a Non-Christian?”; Today’s Christian Woman

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

From the Question Box

Is it a SIN to marry a non-Christian?• Popular answer: it is a sin– “Proof”: 2 Cor. 6:14; Ex. 34:10-16; Dt. 7:1-4

› “Come out from among them…be separate” would contradict “Let him not divorce her…”› God sanctions couple, kids (1 Co. 7:14)

– But: 2 Co. 6:17-18; 1 Co. 7:10-16; 1 Pt. 3:1

› Dt. 22 never used to teach divorce › No longer Jew-Gentile distinction, law

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

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Is it a SIN to marry a non-Christian?• Popular answer: it is a sin• Bible answer: it is not a sin

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

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Is it a SIN to marry a non-Christian?

– Is it “helpful” or “edifying”?

Is it WISE to marry a non-Christian?• 1 Corinthians 10:23; 6:12

› But I can “save” them! [cp. 1 Co. 7:15-16] › A need for realism, not just “romance”; cp. Haggai 2:11-13

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

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“I think you're asking the wrong question here. The real question should be, ‘Why would you want to marry a non-Christian?’”

Nancy Ortberg, from “Unequally Yoked: Is It a Sinto Marry a Non-Christian?”; Today’s Christian Woman

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

From the Question Box “I know many women who now deeply regret their decision to marry a non-Christian. Most still love their husband, but they miss so much of what God intended their marriage to be. And if children are involved, the complications and heartaches in these marriages are even greater. One girlfriend's husband has asked her not to read Bible stories to their kids, or to pray with them. Any time she mentions God, he counters that God is a fantasy. Such comments from a fatherhave a powerful impact on his children.”

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

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Is it a SIN to marry a non-Christian?

– Will the Lord truly be the builder?

Is it WISE to marry a non-Christian?• 1 Corinthians 10:23; 6:12• Psalm 127:1; Amos 3:3; 1 John 4:7-11, 19

– Will He be the basis for hope in conflicts?– Will He be the basis for LOVE, or will only “passion” get you through?

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

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Is it a SIN to marry a non-Christian?

– Proper role and service is demanding!

Is it WISE to marry a non-Christian?• 1 Corinthians 10:23; 6:12• Psalm 127:1; Amos 3:3• Gen. 2:18, 24; 1 Co. 7:25-28, 32-35

› Especially distracting with a non- Christian spouse [cp. Mk. 4:18-19]

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

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Is it a SIN to marry a non-Christian?

Is it WISE to marry a non-Christian?

Is marrying a non-Christian “ONLY option”?• May convince ourselves it is so: – “too small congregation”; “no one my age”; “no one I like”; etc.

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

From the Question Box

Is it a SIN to marry a non-Christian?

Is it WISE to marry a non-Christian?

Is marrying a non-Christian “ONLY option”?• May convince ourselves it is so

– teach: congregation will grow, change• Consider some alternatives:

– wait: impossible now, great later!

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

From the Question Box

Is it a SIN to marry a non-Christian?

Is it WISE to marry a non-Christian?

Is marrying a non-Christian “ONLY option”?• May convince ourselves it is so

– Learn Biblical love, not “romance”• Consider some alternatives:

› Eph. 5:17-33; marriage and Christ

Is it okay to marry someonewho isn’t a Christian?

From the Question Box

Is it a SIN to marry a non-Christian?

Is it WISE to marry a non-Christian?

Is marrying a non-Christian “ONLY option”?

– should not base on emotion, but truth!• 2nd most important decision of your life! Is it okay to marry a non-Christian?

– Not a sin; could be stone of stumbling

God’s primary desire for us is betrothal to HIMSELF, through His Son!

Eph. 5:24-27 [2 Cor. 11:2]

ALL of our relationships with one another should be an extension of our relationship with Him!

What is the status of YOURrelationship with Him?

Author: Nancy Ortberg [Community Church]From Today’s Christian Woman online magazine, May 2, 2007 (Christianity Today, Presbyterian)