Then you miss the point entirely. Don't forget that this is a series of "lessons". From reading the Bible over, I have found what this person is talking about isn't far off the truth.
You're looking for positiveness over the truth, is what I gather. I really don't see how any of this is bombarding anyone. This certainly is not a popular since it does not tickle the ears...
No, I entirely understand the point. I said I agree with his premise, just not his approach. The author is telling the truth, but not the whole story.
I have known people who will embrace something written or spoken as true or really well-done merely because it is written in a tell-it-like-it-is, punch-you-in-the-face-with-the-truth type of way. We can’t judge the truthfulness of something by whether or not it “tickles the ears,” but by how it aligns with Scripture. It is true that it is a sin to marry a non-Christian. Sin in general can impact us and the people around us in the way that the author describes. Lying, stealing, lust, pride, etc. I could write a very similar article inserting any of those things in there. But we can’t be guided by dogmatic articles and sermons that tell us what we are doing wrong, tell us how sinful we are, etc. and then leave it there. The Gospel has to be part of the conversation, otherwise we are no different than any other religion that is guided by rule-following. We don’t obey so that God will love us, we obey because He already does. If that truth is left out, you might have identified the thrust of a specific passage, but you have left out the entire theme and storyline of Scripture. Leaning on the truths of the Gospel is where joyful obedience comes from, not from white-knuckling.
It really all comes down to this: we need reminding of the danger and deadliness of sin, but just as often, if not moreso, we need reminding of the work of our Savior on our behalf. There is no more vivid picture of how God feels about sin than Jesus’ death on the cross.
I hope you don’t feel offended by my critique. I scrutinize the pastors that I listen to and read the same way.
We should be very careful regarding who we marry, and should only be seeking the person God has for us. I won't even consider someone unless I know they are a Christian, and there is evidence of the Holy Spirit working in them.
