"To Marry Only in the Lord" - Part 2
(By Zadig)

It is a pleasure to continue this subject. Even conscious of the complexity involved in choosing a spouse, this article intends to broaden our vision of the context of the times of Apostle Paul, when he said “Marry only in the Lord.”

The difficulty of harmonious living in a couple where each partner professes a distinct faith is, in fact, threatening, often painful, mainly in the upbringing of children. But we should not loose sight of the fact that practically every religious denomination has, in essence, the same principle adopted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. What is different between one and the others is the degree of requirement, and whether or not there is a punishment on the supposed “transgressor”. Some of them present the advice of Apostle Paul exactly as it is, a piece of advice, a guidance which can be of help or not, where each case is, of course, an individual case. Others, as Jehovah’s Witnesses do, take it as a maximum rule, to the point of punishment.

The Catholic Church, with more than 1.057.326.693 (a billion, fifty and seven million three hundred and twenty and six a thousand six hundred and ninety and three) adepts in the whole world, also presents its members the “rule” of “marry only in the Lord”. The “Catechism of the Catholic Church”, Typical edition Vaticana, pages 446-7, deals with this subject under the sub-heading “Mixed marriages and disparity of cult ”.

Notice one of the arguments of this religious denomination:

"Difference of confession between the spouses does not constitute an insurmountable obstacle for marriage, when they succeed in placing in common what they have received from their respective communities, and learn from each other the way in which each lives in fidelity to Christ.”

Next, it describes the difficulties, mainly in the upbringing of children. However, the Catholic Church is considerate and finds a way to deal with the situation. It leaves the issue to the conscience of each individual, giving advice on the need to be cautious and not letting such choice change the situation, faith or allegiance towards Christ.

Clearly, in the same way as other religious denominations, also the Catholic Church expects that the non-catholic spouse will in time become an active member of the church. It even says: "In marriages with disparity of cult the Catholic spouse has a particular task: "For the unbelieving husband is consecrated through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is consecrated through her husband." It is a great joy for the Christian spouse and for the Church if this 'consecration' should lead to the free conversion of the other spouse to the Christian faith."

Much time would be wasted if we tried to present here all visions - greatly private, – of religious denominations, but basically all follow the same principle, without which these same denominations would not exist.

In the interpretation presented by the Catholic Church, we notice that they too consider themselves Christians. That brings us again to the point presented by Apostle Paul, “marry only in the Lord” or “marry only a Christian”.

We can say that the letter 1 John is quite revealing. Right below there is a list of texts that can be used for meditation, where each person should consult his conscience and decide what to do as to the choice of a spouse, especially when the other does not belong to the same religious denomination - the famous “church plate”.

Here the texts – New World Translation (NWT):

2:2, 3 “And he is a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins, yet not for ours only but also for the whole world’s. And by this we have the knowledge that we have come to know him, namely, if we continue observing his commandments.”

2:22, 23 “Who is the liar if it is not the one that denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one that denies the Father and the Son. Everyone that denies the Son does not have the Father either. He that confesses the Son has the Father also.”

2:29 “If YOU know that he is righteous, YOU gain the knowledge that everyone who practices righteousness has been born from him.”

4:2 “YOU gain the knowledge of the inspired expression from God by this: Every inspired expression that confesses Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh originates with God,”

4:15 “Whoever makes the confession that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, God remains in union with such one and he in union with God.”

5:1a “Everyone believing that Jesus is the Christ has been born from God, and everyone who loves the one that caused to be born loves him who has been born from that one.”

5:5 “Who is the one that conquers the world but he who has faith that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Well then, the first letter of John is full of information. In it we can find an honest simplification of the true meaning of the word “Christian”. As we see, just belonging to denomination “X” is not reason enough to qualify someone as “Christian”, likewise we cannot qualify someone as “unbeliever” just because he belongs to denomination “Y”. The principles shown by Apostle John are logical consequences of the truths taught by Jesus Christ himself. Mark 9:38-40 says:

“John said to him: “Teacher, we saw a certain man expelling demons by the use of your name and we tried to prevent him, because he was not accompanying us.” But Jesus said: “Do not try to prevent him, for there is no one that will do a powerful work on the basis of my name that will quickly be able to revile me; for he that is not against us is for us.”

Even John had, at the time, a distorted vision on people not closely associated with them but who, as argued by Jesus, were accomplishing works on the basis of his name. Thank God that apostle John was able to understand the meaning and amplitude of the sacrifice of Christ! Where even people of the gentile nations could benefit.

Now the question is: What will you do? Surely the members of “Beroean Minds” wish your happiness in this and in many other choices. But the way these pages have been filled is but comment and advice, for the final choice is only yours, dear reader. Just bear in mind that your neighbour also benefited from the sacrifice of Christ, and that recognition from his part is essential for salvation, the same way as the sincere effort to fulfil the biblical commandments clearly outlined in the Sacred Scriptures.

 

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