The roles of the state and church, although important, are external to the troth relationship itself. In more recent times by means of a marriage license (and bill of divorce) the state, concerned to safeguard marriage, simply acknowledges the life (or death) of a marriage. If a couple are in Christ, they seek the blessing and support of the cultic worship community. A minister does not marry the couple; he only acknowledges that in their vowed promise God marries them. A wedding ceremony is the rite by which a couple, seeking support and sharing joy, publicly pledge their troth in the presence of God, friends, family, church, state, and enter marriage.
James H. Olthus, Wycliffe Dictionary of Christian Ethics, Carl F.H. Henry editor, pg.408-409.
4 comments:
Hello Glen,
Interesting comment you posted by a James Olthus. Interesting indeed. Wedding ceremonies are assumed to be joyous as I once thought as a born again believer in Jesus Christ Alone, for my salvation. I thought everyone invited to the religious wedding ceremony shared in the joy, excitement, and the pure and holy happiness of my first born daughter being wedded to an amazing young man, another Christian, who believes that Jesus is truly indeed, the Savior of this earthly world, and the only Way in which we are sanctified and justified in a new earth of Glory in His Holy Presence.
And yet, I was truly awakened to the wickedness and evil that self righteous (esp. the baptist and assembly of god religion) church people have to offer in the way of "joyfulness, happiness, and celebration" of a young couple being wedded. My encounters with such religious individuals, both men and women, following the ceremony on our farm (no, my daughter was not wedded in a building made with human hands, but on grass, as myriad of weed varieties, and plain old fashioned dirt in my yard), were truthfully negative, criticizing, and condemning.
Yes Glen, these church folks were horrible and condemning. And these individuals have the audacity to judge who is going to heaven and who is going to hell, according to their religious/humanistic standards following the traditions of man, instead of following the precepts of Jesus Christ.
Truth be told, the born again believers in Christ, who are not part of an institutional church system, were MORE supportive, encouraging, and loving towards my amazing daughter and amazing son-in-law following the wedding ceremony and future life together, than the self righteous, judgmental, hopeless church folks! And, they are still, to this day, more loving and kind towards these young people making a life of family, faith, and farming together, meanwhile the churched folks are jealous, hateful, competing and condemning towards such families, due to the hatred carved in their hearts.
So why does this happen? Has the visible church worshipped itself for so long, that faith has lost its first love, which is in Christ Jesus?
Since this truth, I have placed my true and only Pastorship in Jesus Christ, for He has never forsaken me, nor has He ever lied to me, and honestly, I have never been hated more by churched individuals, including the humanistic pastor man who desires to replace my LORD and Savior.
Martha.....the one who loves Jesus as her Savior.
1 Samuel 16:6-7 bears witness to the actual Words of Jesus Christ regarding the heart. Under the New Covenant which is in Christ Alone, we have the ability to overcome the issues of "the heart" and the discernment to consciously decide/choose which voices we follow. Just because an individual has a membership to a local church and attends regularly or is an important person in the institutional church system/holding an "office of religious importance", does NOT indicate they are a true lover and follower of Jesus Christ and His Ways.
It may mean they are a more cunning wolf who loves the worship of their own greatness rather than living their own lives fulfilling the promises of Christ Alone.
Martha, again.
Martha,
I have attended at some, and played at many more, Christian weddings at homes with large properties or at public parks, etc because the couple wanted an outside wedding. There was still a Christian officiant and they were good Christian services. Never at any of these did I hear even a hint of legalist ideology about the need to be in a church building! What sort of Christians would be so judgmental about not being wed inside a church?!?!
Not all organized church groups are that cruel, thank God. It is sad that you had to experience such behavior by so-called Christians.
Hello Precious Martha!!!
You have certainly had the misfortune of meeting the dregs of Christianity. Never lose heart, though, sister, as you clearly have the discernment to know who loves our Lord and Savior vs. who is in love with the vain traditions of men!
I agree with Glenn, not all organized assemblies are that cruel, thankfully.
I am so incredibly happy for your daughter and SIL, and what a blessing that you had true believers to share in your family's joy the day they married and beyond!!!
Always a treat to hear from you here at Glenn's blog - and I love the verse from Samuel you chose. Another good one for you - 1 John 3:14-16 and well you can really keep reading to the end of the chapter. :)
Blessings to you Martha, the one who is accepted in the Beloved, and to you Glenn, a real Berean in the faith,
-Carolyn
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