I've seen some of them - including some pastors - use the text in 2 Corinthians 6 about being yoked together with unbelievers to mean that adventists shouldn't marry non-advenists. But a Christian of another denomination is also a believer so this doesn't make sense to me. Believer in the Word means someone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ, not a specific denomination or set of smaller beliefs - it's about the one big belief of the deity of Jesus and the salvation he offers. Why do some adventists think that marrying a non-believer is a sin and something God can't approve of? There weren't even any adventists in Jesus' day - they didn't exist until 1880 or something, yet God approved of these people who came before and of theur unions in marriage. Jesus turned water into wine for a non-adventist wedding.
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Why are adventists so concerned with marrying other adventists?
- Thread starter proverbswisdom
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E.T.Elijah
Brother In Christ
I guess the reasoning behind it would be that because of our unique views on Biblical truth, it may cause dissension or confusion within a household that holds differing views. It isn't so much that the spouse would not be considered a true Christian, but that the two opposing views of beliefs might not bring the couple or family closer. Also, one might compromise their beliefs in order to appease the other. In most cases it doesn't turn out for the better.
Personally, I married someone outside of the adventist faith. She had been raised catholic and was attending a nazarene church at the time. It gave us many opportunities to study together and she now is also an adventist. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. I have had many friends who it hasn't worked out so well. One friend was a very diligent Bible student and his wife not so much. He came into the church and was there for a few years but his wife never did attend because she had grown up in another church and did not want to leave her life-long friends. Sadly, it put a strain on their lives since neither was ever able to really share their walk together. Eventually, he returned to his old church in order to mend his marriage. He had to compromise what he believed to be truth in order to please her. Unfortunately, it isn't just an adventist situation. I have seen it in other denominations also. Usually it is between people with a wider variety of differing views: catholics, adventists, apostolics, etc. The weaker or less experienced Christian is the one to give in and follow the others beliefs instead of holding firm in their own faith.
That's just my ramblings anyways for whatever its worth.
Personally, I married someone outside of the adventist faith. She had been raised catholic and was attending a nazarene church at the time. It gave us many opportunities to study together and she now is also an adventist. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. I have had many friends who it hasn't worked out so well. One friend was a very diligent Bible student and his wife not so much. He came into the church and was there for a few years but his wife never did attend because she had grown up in another church and did not want to leave her life-long friends. Sadly, it put a strain on their lives since neither was ever able to really share their walk together. Eventually, he returned to his old church in order to mend his marriage. He had to compromise what he believed to be truth in order to please her. Unfortunately, it isn't just an adventist situation. I have seen it in other denominations also. Usually it is between people with a wider variety of differing views: catholics, adventists, apostolics, etc. The weaker or less experienced Christian is the one to give in and follow the others beliefs instead of holding firm in their own faith.
That's just my ramblings anyways for whatever its worth.
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Ok, I will explain it very simple in practicle terms. My wifes has a close friend who is also our neighbor, her husband passed away a couple of weeks ago and she suddenly is back in church. So I asked my wife about it and it turns out her husband was Catholic and had not allowed her to come to church, so all these years she suffered not being able to come unless it was a 'special' occasion such as wedding etc.. Can you imagine what a person goes through when they are not allow to fellowship and worship where they choose because of their spouse, think it through and choose wisely I always counsel..
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Generally speaking, having a partner that shares more or less exactly the same beliefs is very convenient.
Otherwise certain problems may occur indeed...
The SDA faith is very unique one and may cause some inconvenient limitations for the non-sda...
Otherwise certain problems may occur indeed...
The SDA faith is very unique one and may cause some inconvenient limitations for the non-sda...
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on the other hand many parents and grandparents might fear that a mixed marriage might cause the SDA-partner to stumble and forsake their religion or simply get in touch with anti-sda knowledge that might have otherwise remained in the dark...
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What knowledge would that be?.....
Rote prayer
The Rosary (rote prayer to Mary for intercession)
Scapulars
Indulgences
Worship of Mary
Holy Rituals
Veneration of (or worship of the dead) saints
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well, knowledge that might cause an SDA to stumble for example...
dont get me wrong, but isnt this the way sda are brought up? arent sdas taught early on that people from outside of the church might cause them to veer off course? Maybe thats just what I have observed...
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OldStudent
Junior Member
In post 4 John made a valid observation that The SDA faith is very unique one and may cause some inconvenient limitations for the non-sda..."
In the next post he also observed that there is risk of losing or compromising the faith by the complications arising from contrasting worldviews (my summary). Also a valid observation. The walk of faith is at best an uphill walk. There is need of a spouse who understands the path and desires to walk it together. While there are aspects of Christian faith SDA's hold in common with many of the brands of Christianity, SDA's often have a distinctive perspective even on those because of our sense of place in history, prophetic context, what we draw from the Sanctuary, and the life and ministry of Christ. It makes for unnecessary difficulty if spouses have difficulty reading from the same page on important hopes, plans, and understandings.
Now I hope you will allow me to respond to an observation you made and play with words a bit. You observed that "There weren't even any adventists in Jesus' day." In a sense you are right the SDA Church as a denomination was not established until 1863 but... If you look at Jude 14-16 a pretty good case can be made the Enoch before the flood was an adventist - looking forward the return of the Lord. Note in Acts 1:11 the moment Jesus ascended to heaven angels directly pointed to the return of Jesus in like manner as He left. The angels were "adventists" and extended that hope to those present and by extension to us as well. More examples of that hope are easy to find.
Now about the "seventh-day" part. It is generally acknowledged that God's people honored the seventh day as the day God set apart from the rest from creation. If you look for Jesus' interaction with the Sabbath you will discover that of all the commandments this is the one He seemed to take the greatest pains to defend and restore. So when you add Matthew 24:27 where Jesus speaks of His return an observation could be made that Jesus was a "seventh-day adventist." ;>)
The name of the SDA church came from the founders love for Jesus. They wished to put elements of their hope out front expressing their hope in the soon coming of Jesus and joy in the special time with Him the Sabbath (which that point had been largely lost) affords.
Yes, there are reasons to avoid "mixed" marriage. I hope this is some help toward an answer to your question.
In the next post he also observed that there is risk of losing or compromising the faith by the complications arising from contrasting worldviews (my summary). Also a valid observation. The walk of faith is at best an uphill walk. There is need of a spouse who understands the path and desires to walk it together. While there are aspects of Christian faith SDA's hold in common with many of the brands of Christianity, SDA's often have a distinctive perspective even on those because of our sense of place in history, prophetic context, what we draw from the Sanctuary, and the life and ministry of Christ. It makes for unnecessary difficulty if spouses have difficulty reading from the same page on important hopes, plans, and understandings.
Now I hope you will allow me to respond to an observation you made and play with words a bit. You observed that "There weren't even any adventists in Jesus' day." In a sense you are right the SDA Church as a denomination was not established until 1863 but... If you look at Jude 14-16 a pretty good case can be made the Enoch before the flood was an adventist - looking forward the return of the Lord. Note in Acts 1:11 the moment Jesus ascended to heaven angels directly pointed to the return of Jesus in like manner as He left. The angels were "adventists" and extended that hope to those present and by extension to us as well. More examples of that hope are easy to find.
Now about the "seventh-day" part. It is generally acknowledged that God's people honored the seventh day as the day God set apart from the rest from creation. If you look for Jesus' interaction with the Sabbath you will discover that of all the commandments this is the one He seemed to take the greatest pains to defend and restore. So when you add Matthew 24:27 where Jesus speaks of His return an observation could be made that Jesus was a "seventh-day adventist." ;>)
The name of the SDA church came from the founders love for Jesus. They wished to put elements of their hope out front expressing their hope in the soon coming of Jesus and joy in the special time with Him the Sabbath (which that point had been largely lost) affords.
Yes, there are reasons to avoid "mixed" marriage. I hope this is some help toward an answer to your question.
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HTML:
Now I hope you will allow me to respond to an observation you made and play with words a bit. You observed that "There weren't even any adventists in Jesus' day." In a sense you are right the SDA Church as a denomination was not established until 1863 but... If you look at Jude 14-16 a pretty good case can be made the Enoch before the flood was an adventist - looking forward the return of the Lord. Note in Acts 1:11 the moment Jesus ascended to heaven angels directly pointed to the return of Jesus in like manner as He left. The angels were "adventists" and extended that hope to those present and by extension to us as well. More examples of that hope are easy to find.Now of course, if we play with words, enoch was an adventist and all christians might indeed be catholics...
but thats OK, one fine day there wont be no denomination...
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Yes, there are reasons to avoid "mixed" marriage. I hope this is some help toward an answer to your question.I have to agree with you! a mixed marriage might become very horrible, especially when the love is gone...
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Not that way or directly I would say, as you can marry anyone you like, but the Bible does warn about unbelievers and that holds true in many ways.
2 Corinthians 6:14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
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mmksparbud
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I've been married twice--well, allright, 3--but twice to same one! Neither were SDA, but during the first marriage, I wasn't either. I came back after our divorce, strangely, we became much closer and much better friends after our divorce and my return to my faith. As I explained to him---My faith is what makes me liveable! I was an angry woman, due to childhood abuse and we never did talk about it, though I did tell him about it. He thought the best thing to do was to not mention it, thus saving me the agony of reliving it--it was not the right thing to do--so we talked after the divorce.
He met someone new, and so did I. My 2nd I was around 38 and should have known better, but I married outside the faith, he believed in God---loosely, and he was an alcoholic to boot. The hell he put me through for 17 years would take a book--and I married him twice! No fool like an old fool. I did compromise my believes alot. Eventually, taking a stand and going back, but still, even though he has now quite drinking, and we are finally happy together, it isn't quite the same as the closeness you have with another believer.
He doesn't bug me anymore about the sabbath, in fact, He tries to not go shopping and stuff on sabbath, he has slowly learned to pray a little. And when my medical conditions become very painful, he comes in and prays for me---I actually do feel better afterwards.
I have a niece who married another christian, but not an SDA--and I comforted myself with the thought that's it's better to be married to a good unbeliever than to a rotten SDA!! However--she has compromised on everything--they drink, eat whatever--no sabbath observance and so on. Yes, they're happy--but like the book says--what does it matter if you gain the whole world and loose your own soul--or something like that. Bottom line--niether practice any faith.
I've not seen one single marriage of an SDA to an unbeliever to be good for both. And it's usually the SDA that does the compromising.
Not that being married to an SDA when you are one also will gaurentee a happy one. I've seen them break up, have affairs, spousal abuse and so on.
Marriage, no matter what--must be entered into with one heck of a lot of prayer!! And a determination to follow what God says, not your heart--it can lead you astray, God will not. Let Him choose, even if it means remaining single!!
He met someone new, and so did I. My 2nd I was around 38 and should have known better, but I married outside the faith, he believed in God---loosely, and he was an alcoholic to boot. The hell he put me through for 17 years would take a book--and I married him twice! No fool like an old fool. I did compromise my believes alot. Eventually, taking a stand and going back, but still, even though he has now quite drinking, and we are finally happy together, it isn't quite the same as the closeness you have with another believer.
He doesn't bug me anymore about the sabbath, in fact, He tries to not go shopping and stuff on sabbath, he has slowly learned to pray a little. And when my medical conditions become very painful, he comes in and prays for me---I actually do feel better afterwards.
I have a niece who married another christian, but not an SDA--and I comforted myself with the thought that's it's better to be married to a good unbeliever than to a rotten SDA!! However--she has compromised on everything--they drink, eat whatever--no sabbath observance and so on. Yes, they're happy--but like the book says--what does it matter if you gain the whole world and loose your own soul--or something like that. Bottom line--niether practice any faith.
I've not seen one single marriage of an SDA to an unbeliever to be good for both. And it's usually the SDA that does the compromising.
Not that being married to an SDA when you are one also will gaurentee a happy one. I've seen them break up, have affairs, spousal abuse and so on.
Marriage, no matter what--must be entered into with one heck of a lot of prayer!! And a determination to follow what God says, not your heart--it can lead you astray, God will not. Let Him choose, even if it means remaining single!!
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mog144
Well-Known Member
They are hoping to be equally Yoked with alike believers. Many denominations believe alike. I really see no difference between an SDA and any other faith. They themselves cannot give full account of their faith without stumbling against even Ellen's teachings. Albeit her writings are false IMO, they too pick 'n' chose what they want just like a "Cafeteria Christian."
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In a nutshell, our love interest has a knack for compromising our own belief system, since he or she is (usually) second in line, next to God as a person that we cherish in life. If our spouse's beliefs are contrary to ours, and they remain set in their form of religion, the marriage will either suffer, or we will compromise our belief system to nourish the relationship and keep the peace.
Imagine being in love with a lukewarm "Christian." You attempt to keep a Sabbath each week that he or she doesn't follow. Now try to keep it as he/she wants to plan secular things on a Saturday. I guarantee that the majority of non-Sabbath keepers would conflict with this and view it as a restraint and a burden "forced" upon them.
Look at Adam bending to Eve's proposition to eat the fruit. Adam knew it was wrong, but he did it anyway. He knew Eve did it already, and he didn't want to live without her, because she would now die. Adam had the truth, and he knew it. But he STILL chose the wife's belief.
Same with Solomon and his pagan wife.
Satan loves using a spouse to turn a faithful man/woman from God to mankind. Because he knows they have the most influence void of violent force.
Imagine being in love with a lukewarm "Christian." You attempt to keep a Sabbath each week that he or she doesn't follow. Now try to keep it as he/she wants to plan secular things on a Saturday. I guarantee that the majority of non-Sabbath keepers would conflict with this and view it as a restraint and a burden "forced" upon them.
Look at Adam bending to Eve's proposition to eat the fruit. Adam knew it was wrong, but he did it anyway. He knew Eve did it already, and he didn't want to live without her, because she would now die. Adam had the truth, and he knew it. But he STILL chose the wife's belief.
Same with Solomon and his pagan wife.
Satan loves using a spouse to turn a faithful man/woman from God to mankind. Because he knows they have the most influence void of violent force.
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I've been married twice. First time for 19 years and the second time for 3 years. Neither were Adventist. I became an adventist during my first marriage. I'm thinking about marry my second husband again. He has turned his life completely over to Christ. He is an assistant minister at his church which is a Baptisit Church. We do love each other and the problem we are having is about the Sabbath. He knows my beliefs and that I will not compromise As he said in the past, he would work with me and he did for a while and then it became a problem. So, I'm really not sure how this my turn out. I'm praying that God will get the glory in whatever I do. Thanks for your post.
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I speak from personal experience. It's a bad, bad place to be in. I saw the thread topic, so I needed to share my own proof, rather than add speculation or opinion.
And thank you. I'm glad to be here.
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thats the point bro, thats the point... while adventists may not say it out loud, people who are non-adventist are regarded as different, not having the full light etc. I even came along the expression philistines... philistine girls etc. that will draw you away from the truth...
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