Do Not Spiritualize the Marriage. - Introduction

[Ahila Wilson]

Every time, I teach my nursing students about STI, they rumble in their own young adult way, “Celibacy…. Celibacy.” With A smile I always respond, “It’s a great call, there are many I admire who are called to that, but I am not cut out for that.” I suggest, “Married, monogamy.” And they laugh, some with a painful, desperate, and disappointed laughs. Let me start by saying this, personally, I won’t be myself without my marriage, my husband, this dreamlike beautiful yet annoyingly painful (at times) marriage of mine. I rally for the sanctity, the beauty of marriage to be preserved, and I am so annoyed when people want to twist the meaning of marriage the God ordained institute. But I am afraid my friends, with the good intentions to protect this institution, we as Christians fell so far into the other extreme and made marriage more than what it really is, we spiritualized and eternalized marriage, and that! is as unbiblical as reproaching a marriage.

I say this because Christ said it, he said, “34 Jesus answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage” (Luke 20:34-35).

There are many reasons I fear the consequences of spiritualizing a marriage that includes,

It takes away the real beauty of marriage,

It distorts the splendor of our eternal relationship with Christ,

It deflates the value of individual spirituality,

It disregards the call to celibacy,

It demeans a believer’s worth after biblically based divorce,

It for once corrupts the real purpose of our being.

Let’s dig deep into each of this concerns, but for now think about these things and respond.

 

[RaymondG]

I believe that the marriage agreements we sign today are unrelated to the spiritual marriages spoken of in the bible.

 

[joshua 1 9]

Every time, I teach my nursing students about STI, they rumble in their own young adult way, “Celibacy…. Celibacy.” With A smile I always respond, “It’s a great call, there are many I admire who are called to that, but I am not cut out for that.” I suggest, “Married, monogamy.” And they laugh, some with a painful, desperate, and disappointed laughs. Let me start by saying this, personally, I won’t be myself without my marriage, my husband, this dreamlike beautiful yet annoyingly painful (at times) marriage of mine. I rally for the sanctity, the beauty of marriage to be preserved, and I am so annoyed when people want to twist the meaning of marriage the God ordained institute. But I am afraid my friends, with the good intentions to protect this institution, we as Christians fell so far into the other extreme and made marriage more than what it really is, we spiritualized and eternalized marriage, and that! is as unbiblical as reproaching a marriage.

I say this because Christ said it, he said, “34 Jesus answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage” (Luke 20:34-35).

There are many reasons I fear the consequences of spiritualizing a marriage that includes,

It takes away the real beauty of marriage,

It distorts the splendor of our eternal relationship with Christ,

It deflates the value of individual spirituality,

It disregards the call to celibacy,

It demeans a believer’s worth after biblically based divorce,

It for once corrupts the real purpose of our being.

Let’s dig deep into each of this concerns, but for now think about these things and respond.

It is through marriage that we understand our relationship with Christ. It is through marriage that a husband is called to go to Calvary and sacrifice himself for his wife the way Jesus sacrificed Himself for us. It is though marriage that we understand that the male and female are to be joined together and become one. If we are not married then we need to be at peace without self and our male and female within needs to be united to become one. Sometimes it is easier to get along with others then to be at peace with ourselves.

 

[Pethesedzao]

Every time, I teach my nursing students about STI, they rumble in their own young adult way, “Celibacy…. Celibacy.” With A smile I always respond, “It’s a great call, there are many I admire who are called to that, but I am not cut out for that.” I suggest, “Married, monogamy.” And they laugh, some with a painful, desperate, and disappointed laughs. Let me start by saying this, personally, I won’t be myself without my marriage, my husband, this dreamlike beautiful yet annoyingly painful (at times) marriage of mine. I rally for the sanctity, the beauty of marriage to be preserved, and I am so annoyed when people want to twist the meaning of marriage the God ordained institute. But I am afraid my friends, with the good intentions to protect this institution, we as Christians fell so far into the other extreme and made marriage more than what it really is, we spiritualized and eternalized marriage, and that! is as unbiblical as reproaching a marriage.

I say this because Christ said it, he said, “34 Jesus answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage” (Luke 20:34-35).

There are many reasons I fear the consequences of spiritualizing a marriage that includes,

It takes away the real beauty of marriage,

It distorts the splendor of our eternal relationship with Christ,

It deflates the value of individual spirituality,

It disregards the call to celibacy,

It demeans a believer’s worth after biblically based divorce,

It for once corrupts the real purpose of our being.

Let’s dig deep into each of this concerns, but for now think about these things and respond.

There will be ONLY one marriage in Heaven.

 

[Pethesedzao]

Every time, I teach my nursing students about STI, they rumble in their own young adult way, “Celibacy…. Celibacy.” With A smile I always respond, “It’s a great call, there are many I admire who are called to that, but I am not cut out for that.” I suggest, “Married, monogamy.” And they laugh, some with a painful, desperate, and disappointed laughs. Let me start by saying this, personally, I won’t be myself without my marriage, my husband, this dreamlike beautiful yet annoyingly painful (at times) marriage of mine. I rally for the sanctity, the beauty of marriage to be preserved, and I am so annoyed when people want to twist the meaning of marriage the God ordained institute. But I am afraid my friends, with the good intentions to protect this institution, we as Christians fell so far into the other extreme and made marriage more than what it really is, we spiritualized and eternalized marriage, and that! is as unbiblical as reproaching a marriage.

I say this because Christ said it, he said, “34 Jesus answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage” (Luke 20:34-35).

There are many reasons I fear the consequences of spiritualizing a marriage that includes,

It takes away the real beauty of marriage,

It distorts the splendor of our eternal relationship with Christ,

It deflates the value of individual spirituality,

It disregards the call to celibacy,

It demeans a believer’s worth after biblically based divorce,

It for once corrupts the real purpose of our being.

Let’s dig deep into each of this concerns, but for now think about these things and respond.

And of course we need to take heed to what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7

 

[prodromos]

Did anyone read the SOP for this forum?

Please Review: New Statement of Purpose

A forum dedicated to the respectful discussion of traditional, historic theology; liturgical practices, doctrines, dogmatics; Holy Scripture as found in the various canons of the Church; Church History, etc. If you are not a traditional Christian according to the following definition, you may not debate issues or teach against traditional Christian theology. Active promotion of views contrary to traditional, historic theology; liturgical practices, doctrines, dogmatics; Holy Scripture as found in the various canons of the Church; Church History, etc. will be considered off topic. Non-traditional Christians are welcome to post in fellowship or ask questions about traditional Christianity (no debate).​

 

[gordonhooker]

Did anyone read the SOP for this forum?

Please Review: New Statement of Purpose

A forum dedicated to the respectful discussion of traditional, historic theology; liturgical practices, doctrines, dogmatics; Holy Scripture as found in the various canons of the Church; Church History, etc. If you are not a traditional Christian according to the following definition, you may not debate issues or teach against traditional Christian theology. Active promotion of views contrary to traditional, historic theology; liturgical practices, doctrines, dogmatics; Holy Scripture as found in the various canons of the Church; Church History, etc. will be considered off topic. Non-traditional Christians are welcome to post in fellowship or ask questions about traditional Christianity (no debate).​

What is it that you believe is contrary to the SOP?

 

[Ahila Wilson]

I believe that the marriage agreements we sign today are unrelated to the spiritual marriages spoken of in the bible.

I am stating that there is "Biblical marriages" but no "spiritual marriages" thx for the response.

 

[Ahila Wilson]

What is it that you believe is contrary to the SOP?

I am interested to know the answer to the above question as well.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

Well in a Christ like marriage the two are brought together as one yolk. So there's a little more going on here than we common man can explain.
M-Bob

 

[Ahila Wilson]

Well in a Christ like marriage the two are brought together as one yolk. So there's a little more going on here than we common man can explain.
M-Bob

Sure, effects of biblical or believer's marriage have lots of eternal significance, but the marriage itself is not eternal.

 

[gordonhooker]

I am interested to know the answer to the above question as well.

I thought it was a fair question but have not seen response as yet.

 

[gordonhooker]

There will be ONLY one marriage in Heaven.

That is not what Jesus appears to be saying in Luke 20:34-35.

 

[GreekOrthodox]

Eastern Orthodox do believe that marriage has a spiritual and eternal component. From the OCA website:

The Orthodox Faith - Volume IV - Spirituality - Sexuality, Marriage, and Family - Marriage

So, for those who love truly, the savior and accomplisher of their love is Christ. He gives every virtue and every fruit of the Spirit. He allows them to grow ever more perfectly one. He allows them to live and to love for eternity in the Kingdom of God. A marriage in Christ does not end in sin; it does not part in death. It is fulfilled and perfected in the Kingdom of heaven. It is for this reason, and this reason only, that those who seek true love and perfection in marriage come to the Church to be married in Christ.

St. John Chrysostom "Letter to a young Widow"
But if you wish to behold him face to face (for this I know is what you specially long for) keep your bed in his honour sacred from the touch of any other man, and do your best to manifest a life like his, and then assuredly you shall depart one day to join the same company with him, not to dwell with him for five years as you did here, nor for 20, or 100, nor for a thousand or twice that number but for infinite and endless ages. For it is not any physical relation, but a correspondence in the way of living which qualifies for the inheritance of those regions of rest.

 

[Ahila Wilson]

That is not what Jesus appears to be saying in Luke 20:34-35.

would you explain, little bit more please.

 

[Ahila Wilson]

[So, for those who love truly, the savior and accomplisher of their love is Christ. He gives every virtue and every fruit of the Spirit. He allows them to grow ever more perfectly one. He allows them to live and to love for eternity in the Kingdom of God. A marriage in Christ does not end in sin; it does not part in death. It is fulfilled and perfected in the Kingdom of heaven. It is for this reason, and this reason only, that those who seek true love and perfection in marriage come to the Church to be married in Christ.

St. John Chrysostom "Letter to a young Widow"
But if you wish to behold him face to face (for this I know is what you specially long for) keep your bed in his honour sacred from the touch of any other man, and do your best to manifest a life like his, and then assuredly you shall depart one day to join the same company with him, not to dwell with him for five years as you did here, nor for 20, or 100, nor for a thousand or twice that number but for infinite and endless ages. For it is not any physical relation, but a correspondence in the way of living which qualifies for the inheritance of those regions of rest.]


How interesting, thanks for sharing, how do you interpret Luke 20:34-35?

 

[gordonhooker]

would you explain, little bit more please.

Reading the quoted scripture we see that Jesus says there is no marriage in heaven:

Luke 20:34 Jesus said to them, “Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; 35 but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage.

So to me it clear that marriage does not matter either way in the new life in heaven.

 

[GreekOrthodox]

For Orthodox, marriage is a sacrament and a reflection of the marriage of Christ and the Church (as it is for everyone). Although marriage may result in children and it gives you a new tax status, that is not the entirety of our belief of marriage. In the Orthodox wedding, the bride and groom wear crowns, not only as the king and queen of a new house, but as martyrs “…receive their crowns into Thy kingdom, preserving them spotless, blameless, and without reproach, unto ages of ages.” Marriage is a form of asceticism as we have to submit our individual wills to each other. 1 Cor 7:16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

The entire story of Luke 20 is the Sadducees posing a question about the resurrection and not about marriage. That being said, we dont hold to some carnal or earthly form of marriage in heaven because earthly things will have passed away. Marriage will not be for procreation. What we are left with is a glorified relationship, not just between husband and wife, but between all believers. When Jesus was resurrected, did Mary, the Theotokos, cease to be his mother? When we are united in heaven, my parents will still have a connection to me as my parents. Our children will still be our children.

“Love never ends” (1 Cor. 13:8)

 

[FireDragon76]

For Orthodox, marriage is a sacrament and a reflection of the marriage of Christ and the Church (as it is for everyone). Although marriage may result in children and it gives you a new tax status, that is not the entirety of our belief of marriage. In the Orthodox wedding, the bride and groom wear crowns, not only as the king and queen of a new house, but as martyrs “…receive their crowns into Thy kingdom, preserving them spotless, blameless, and without reproach, unto ages of ages.” Marriage is a form of asceticism as we have to submit our individual wills to each other. 1 Cor 7:16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

The entire story of Luke 20 is the Sadducees posing a question about the resurrection and not about marriage. That being said, we dont hold to some carnal or earthly form of marriage in heaven because earthly things will have passed away. Marriage will not be for procreation. What we are left with is a glorified relationship, not just between husband and wife, but between all believers. When Jesus was resurrected, did Mary, the Theotokos, cease to be his mother? When we are united in heaven, my parents will still have a connection to me as my parents. Our children will still be our children.

“Love never ends” (1 Cor. 13:8)

That makes sense to me. Salvation must involve the whole person, including their relationships. I don't think we have to believe that marriage is a sacrament as the Orthodox do, to recognize that truth. And yet we should not reduce marriage to merely a legal arrangement that is dissolved at death. Human experience itself testifies against this.

 

[Ahila Wilson]

Reading the quoted scripture we see that Jesus says there is no marriage in heaven:

Luke 20:34 Jesus said to them, “Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; 35 but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage.

So to me it clear that marriage does not matter either way in the new life in heaven.

that's very true and the whole point of the post. The One Marriage I was agreeing, is THE MARRIAGE between the Lamb and His Bride, that is the only marriage that exists for eternity.