Hi, this is my first post to OpenSourceTheology.net.
Now I just want to check whether other readers of this site agree with my radical opinion.
I claim that no one true Christian ever married with an unbeliever. I claim this based on certain words in a letter to Corinthians (“can marry only in the Lord”).
See http://ex-code.com/~porton/bible/unbelieving-spouse.html (part 2 of this text). There is my exegesis including my non-traditional translation variants of this Bible fragment from Greek.
Please answer whether do you agree with me?
And now explain me what is the policy of this site about such radical opinions with which many may not agree? Anyway you should agree that my opinion should be represented on this site?
BTW, this question is very important for development of a church, as impossibility of marriage with an unbeliever very strictly limits borders of church, yeah?
Radical opinions
Porton, I don’t myself agree with your interpretation of 1 Cor.7:39, though others may see it differently. Paul’s point seems to me quite straightforward: in view of the ‘present distress’ (7:26) the context of the impending crisis a woman should not divorce either a believing or a non-believing husband. If the husband dies, she is free to remarry but ‘in the Lord’, which presumably means she should marry a believer. That she is free to marry ‘whom she wishes’ does not mean that she will get whomever she wants but simply that she is free to make her own choice. To suggest that a Christian who is married to a non-Christian is not a true believer seems contrary to grace.
As to whether this sort of ‘radical opinion’ has a place on this site, I would only point out that an ‘open source theology’ is not without boundaries or objectives. It is a collaborative theology for the emerging church. The question to ask is whether our radical opinions help or hinder the development of such a theology. That should really be a community decision, but it helps if contributors get some sense first of the objectives and values that guide this undertaking.
Marrying someone who isn't a Christian
I did this about 4 years ago. In a church, actually, though admittedly the priest initially advised me against it. I feel I am still a Christian, though a very poor one. I agree that it is contrary to scripture, and would advise against anyone tempted to do likewise.
Re: Marrying someone who isn't a Christian
Another radical interpretation
Could I not conclude, just as easily, that since it is “impossible” for a Christian to marry a non-Christian (your interpretation), that whomever a Christian marries MUST therefore also be a Christian? So I, as a Christian, can marry whomever I wish with the confidence that my wife will also be a Christian. Because if she was not, my feet or tongue or penis would fail me?
No, I do not agree with this line of reasoning either.