The concept of marriage being defined by starting with a ceremony doesn't sit right for me. I'd consider a marriage to be defined by the committment and promises made by the partners in that marriage. A marriage ceremony IS a very convenient way of making those promises though. However the marriage celebration receives way too much importance - it's like focussing on the silver foil, when the important bit is he chocolate bar.
Th reference to accepting societies values also crosses a number of areas in which Christians have done this. The most obvious is females in church government, but there are others. It will probably always be an issue, since it's very hard to lose one's cultural background.
This article also touches on the legitimacy of homosexual relationships. The idea of sexual satisfaction being a priviledge granted in specific circumstances.
Good article - thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteThere are a couple of points it raises for me.
The concept of marriage being defined by starting with a ceremony doesn't sit right for me. I'd consider a marriage to be defined by the committment and promises made by the partners in that marriage. A marriage ceremony IS a very convenient way of making those promises though. However the marriage celebration receives way too much importance - it's like focussing on the silver foil, when the important bit is he chocolate bar.
Th reference to accepting societies values also crosses a number of areas in which Christians have done this. The most obvious is females in church government, but there are others. It will probably always be an issue, since it's very hard to lose one's cultural background.
This article also touches on the legitimacy of homosexual relationships. The idea of sexual satisfaction being a priviledge granted in specific circumstances.
Glad I read it.