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I've made an oath to be celibate until I'm marriedwOoT
Seriously though, I think anyone who has the strength to live a life of religious service and celibacy...so admirable.
Matthew 19:12 specifically speaks of those who would abstain from sex for the kingdom's sake. Taking a vow is only a more formal statement of one's calling.I've never understood it, to be honest.
I guess if one has no desire for a mate, sex, marriage, etc. it makes sense. But otherwise, it seems to go against 1 Tim. 4:3.
I've never understood it, to be honest.
I guess if one has no desire for a mate, sex, marriage, etc. it makes sense. But otherwise, it seems to go against 1 Tim. 4:3.
Give us something to be charitable about. Anything is able to be criticized.If you don't understand it, that's fine, but to insult it like that is completely lacking in charity.
Christians are called to be celibate. It is if you are unable to handle it that you should be married, according to scripture.
That is sad in my opinion.I have always been disappointed in my weakness and desire and respect very much those people who take take such an oath. I am a shameful girl and am jealous of their strength.
Read 1 Corinthians 7. Paul wishes all Christians could be unmarried.
According to Paul, who said that it was advice from himself and not from the Holy Spirit.
Some people are called to celibacy, and others are called to marriage. Both institutions are holy, and the calling to either should be regarded as a gift to the one who receives it. To say that Christians are universally called to be celibate is to say that marriage is sinful, because the refusal of a calling can only be sin. There is no loser's bracket for those who can't meet the standard; there is only righteousness, and unrighteousness.
I see a point in MacFall's post...I don't know if I'd go so far to say that Paul's word were uninspired. If you asked Paul at the time, did he think his letter to the Corinthians was divinely inspired? I don't know if he did. I think his reference to "the Lord" is with regard to what the Lord Jesus revealed to him by direct revelation, in person. Just because it "came from Paul," doesn't mean it didn't come from the Holy Spirit.
But that aside, you'll note that Paul doesn't say that it is sinful to marry. He only wishes all could be unmarried so as to be fully devoted to God and others.
But that aside, you'll note that Paul doesn't say that it is sinful to marry. He only wishes all could be unmarried so as to be fully devoted to God and others.
He wishes they could be. He does not say they should be. To say that someone "should" do something implies a moral requirement.
Also, keep in mind that Paul, like other Christians of his day, very likely believed that Christ would return within a few generations if not sooner. In which case, procreation would not make as much sense for Christians as it does otherwise.
In any case, it is nothing but legalism to suggest that those who do not marry are holier than those who do. Sin did not give us sex drives. God did. What God has established can only be holy. What sin has done is to corrupt what God created and turn it away from its intended purpose, as it can do with absolutely anything that God gives man choice over.
Right. But to say that Christians are called to celibacy attempts to impose a standard of morality upon Christians that is not only contrary to scripture, but also suggests that God created sinful desires in people. It is only fair to say that SOME people are called to celibacy, and if they are, they should be celibate, and receive it as a gift.
I see a point in MacFall's post...
Christians needs to stop putting words in Paul's mouth. If Paul stated himself in the epistle that it was not inspired by the Holy Spirit...if Paul's words are so 'important' than why add to it in Christian doctrine and perception of those who live a certain way? Saying that verse is inspired is a contradiction to one, taking Paul's words strongly with Christian doctrine and its adding to what Paul stated.
1 Corinthians 7 said:21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
Celibacy is praised because it was more useful to the effort ( and many think there were some apocalyptic strains in there too) than marriage was. That's all there is to it.
That is sad in my opinion.
There's no reason to think by refraining from natural desires is a sign of more strength.
Refraining can also be a sign of staunch immorality hence why most of those saints who live to the outside view, 'holy lives' still call themselves wretched sinners. Gotta be a reason why they separate themselves.
Making a choice not to do something is the same thing as making a choice to do something. Easy to do.
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