Does the term unequally yoked apply only to unbelievers?

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DuckieLady

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I was thinking about this earlier -- and it doesn't apply to me right now because I am not married, but still thinking about it.

We know that we can't marry unbelievers or agnostics. Okay. I did that once before. Mistakes. But do you think it applies also to different denominations? Ideally, I believe it denominations should not exist at all. (Let there be no division among you...) But by definition, I know that I would be considered an Anabaptist and as much as I resent the idea of it not just being "Christian" it still exists.

In other words, is a Baptist Christian is forbidden from marrying a Catholic, for instance? Or an Apostolic from a Lutheran? How does that work? What do you think?
 

farouk

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I was thinking about this earlier -- and it doesn't apply to me right now because I am not married, but still thinking about it.

We know that we can't marry unbelievers or agnostics. Okay. I did that once before. Mistakes. But do you think it applies also to different denominations? Ideally, I believe it denominations should not exist at all. (Let there be no division among you...) But by definition, I know that I would be considered an Anabaptist and as much as I resent the idea of it not just being "Christian" it still exists.

In other words, is a Baptist Christian is forbidden from marrying a Catholic, for instance? Or an Apostolic from a Lutheran? How does that work? What do you think?
@FluffyYellowDuck It boils down to doctrine and walking in the light (as per John's First Epistle, chapter 1, etc.)

Amos 3.3 has the general principle also of: 'Can two walk together, except they be agreed?'

(The divorce-remarriage aspect is one that some Christians don't consider and others do.)
 
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Pearl

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I was thinking about this earlier -- and it doesn't apply to me right now because I am not married, but still thinking about it.

We know that we can't marry unbelievers or agnostics. Okay. I did that once before. Mistakes. But do you think it applies also to different denominations? Ideally, I believe it denominations should not exist at all. (Let there be no division among you...) But by definition, I know that I would be considered an Anabaptist and as much as I resent the idea of it not just being "Christian" it still exists.

In other words, is a Baptist Christian is forbidden from marrying a Catholic, for instance? Or an Apostolic from a Lutheran? How does that work? What do you think?

It used to be that a Catholic could only marry a Catholic but I don't know about other denominations. Both my brothers-in-law married Catholics but they had to 'convert' but it was in name only. I think in the Salvation army a couple may have to have the same 'rank'. But uneaqualy yolked may apply also to a born again believer marrying somebody who isn't. Or even to being in a business partnership which would have some difficulties if the non Christian partners turned out to have little integrity.
 
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farouk

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It used to be that a Catholic could only marry a Catholic but I don't know about other denominations. Both my brothers-in-law married Catholics but they had to 'convert' but it was in name only. I think in the Salvation army a couple may have to have the same 'rank'. But uneaqualy yolked may apply also to a born again believer marrying somebody who isn't. Or even to being in a business partnership which would have some difficulties if the non Christian partners turned out to have little integrity.
@Pearl Yes, I've heard of the phrase being applied in the business field also...
 
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DuckieLady

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I know an Apostolic Christian cannot marry outside of the church. I thought it would be the same for Catholics. I wondered if some of the reverse would be true for the other party.

Even on the internet, you see heated conflicts with differences of opinions from different denominations so you would think it would cause conflict in a marriage. But I also can't say that I had many Christian relationships, whether it be romantic or platonic. So I don't know.
 

farouk

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I know an Apostolic Christian cannot marry outside of the church. I thought it would be the same for Catholics. I wondered if some of the reverse would be true for the other party.

Even on the internet, you see heated conflicts with differences of opinions from different denominations so you would think it would cause conflict in a marriage. But I also can't say that I had many Christian relationships, whether it be romantic or platonic. So I don't know.
In the end the question I would ask is, Where do ppl get their authority from?

It should be about conscientiously discerning whether the other person is truly walking Scripturally and with the Lord.
 

DuckieLady

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In the end the question I would ask is, Where do ppl get their authority from?

It should be about conscientiously discerning whether the other person is truly walking Scripturally and with the Lord.

I agree, but I really wonder if a good marriage is possible with different opinions. For example, if I had married someone from the SDA, I would probably eventually start pulling my hair out and getting tired about talking about the end times and they would get irritated with me that I wasn't caring enough about the end times and we'd probably have it out.

I suppose that if you love each other, then okay. Seems, too, there's a lot of pastors that basically say marriage isn't about love at all and it's just about commitment and staying loyal or something like that. I personally don't know anymore. I thought it was but I'm starting to think people these days aren't very trustworthy and I don't see why anyone would want to put themselves through that and involve feelings at the same time.

Guard heart all the way for me.
 

farouk

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I agree, but I really wonder if a good marriage is possible with different opinions. For example, if I had married someone from the SDA, I would probably eventually start pulling my hair out and getting tired about talking about the end times and they would get irritated with me that I wasn't caring enough about the end times and we'd probably have it out.

I suppose that if you love each other, then okay. Seems, too, there's a lot of pastors that basically say marriage isn't about love at all and it's just about commitment and staying loyal or something like that. I personally don't know anymore. I thought it was but I'm starting to think people these days aren't very trustworthy and I don't see why anyone would want to put themselves through that and involve feelings at the same time.

Guard heart all the way for me.
@FluffyYellowDuck "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4.23).

I don't think it's realized sometimes just how much issues of doctrine are important because people behave in the end according to what they really believe. Your ref. to the SDA is a case in point. What local churches practise about various issues (inc. divorce/remarriage) can also be relevant to how people may act, etc.
 
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Hidden In Him

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I was thinking about this earlier -- and it doesn't apply to me right now because I am not married, but still thinking about it.

We know that we can't marry unbelievers or agnostics. Okay. I did that once before. Mistakes. But do you think it applies also to different denominations? Ideally, I believe it denominations should not exist at all. (Let there be no division among you...) But by definition, I know that I would be considered an Anabaptist and as much as I resent the idea of it not just being "Christian" it still exists.

In other words, is a Baptist Christian is forbidden from marrying a Catholic, for instance? Or an Apostolic from a Lutheran? How does that work? What do you think?

Well that's a very perceptive question.

The analogy is of say an ox tied together with a horse, or a horse with a donkey. They are going to pull at different speeds, and by "pull" I mean in service to the Lord. So if you are talking about someone from a very alive and on fire denomination becoming yoked to someone from an incredibly dead one, yes, I think that would qualify as being unequally yoked.

For that matter, I think you would find even someone from your own denomination but who was just going through the motions to be someone you were very unequally yoked to if you married them. Many Christians do this. One is sold out and pulling like crazy, but they find out that the other one just appeared to be pulling, but was only doing so long enough to get a ring on their finger.

Way of the world, I guess. It's why believers need to be very careful about who they marry. Lots of donkeys out there, and if you're bred for speed, well, you're in trouble.
 

Alvertsky

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I was thinking about this earlier -- and it doesn't apply to me right now because I am not married, but still thinking about it.

We know that we can't marry unbelievers or agnostics. Okay. I did that once before. Mistakes. But do you think it applies also to different denominations? Ideally, I believe it denominations should not exist at all. (Let there be no division among you...) But by definition, I know that I would be considered an Anabaptist and as much as I resent the idea of it not just being "Christian" it still exists.

In other words, is a Baptist Christian is forbidden from marrying a Catholic, for instance? Or an Apostolic from a Lutheran? How does that work? What do you think?
Why can't a christian marry an unbeliever
 

Hidden In Him

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According to Jesus a christial should be able to marry an unbelieving prostitute.

You will need to quote Chapter and verse on that one, buddy. I know what you could try and make an argument from, but it's not something I think would stand.
 

Alvertsky

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You will need to quote Chapter and verse on that one, buddy.
How Jesus loved the adulteress and the prostitute | ChristianToday Australia

(John 8 verses 6-7) No problem

Did Jesus love the adulteress and the prostitute? Absolutely. There are two remarkable stories showing how Jesus cared for all types of people. The religious folks called the Pharisees in the time of Jesus were offended, because in their view God loved only the righteous who kept the law. They therefore distanced themselves from so-called 'unclean' sinners in their delusions of self-righteousness.

But Jesus was often eating and drinking with corrupt tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. He met people where they were and healed them. In addition, Jesus proclaimed that both law-keepers and law-breakers are sinners in need of forgiveness. How could this be?

The Adulteress and Jesus

One day, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees wanted to set a trap for Jesus so they could humiliate him in public. They executed this plan by bringing in a woman whom they claim was "caught in the act of adultery" and asking Jesus whether she should be stoned in accordance with the Law of Moses.

This is a familiar combination of sex, a woman, public disgrace and a double standard. The woman was used as a pawn in a power play to discredit Jesus.

Instead of giving them a simple yes or no answer, Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. Why was he looking down on the ground? What was he writing? Then Jesus stood up and said "Let the one among you who is without sin cast the first stone! " (John 8 verses 6-7)
 

Hidden In Him

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How Jesus loved the adulteress and the prostitute | ChristianToday Australia

(John 8 verses 6-7) No problem

Did Jesus love the adulteress and the prostitute? Absolutely. There are two remarkable stories showing how Jesus cared for all types of people. The religious folks called the Pharisees in the time of Jesus were offended, because in their view God loved only the righteous who kept the law. They therefore distanced themselves from so-called 'unclean' sinners in their delusions of self-righteousness.

But Jesus was often eating and drinking with corrupt tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. He met people where they were and healed them. In addition, Jesus proclaimed that both law-keepers and law-breakers are sinners in need of forgiveness. How could this be?

The Adulteress and Jesus

One day, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees wanted to set a trap for Jesus so they could humiliate him in public. They executed this plan by bringing in a woman whom they claim was "caught in the act of adultery" and asking Jesus whether she should be stoned in accordance with the Law of Moses.

This is a familiar combination of sex, a woman, public disgrace and a double standard. The woman was used as a pawn in a power play to discredit Jesus.

Instead of giving them a simple yes or no answer, Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. Why was he looking down on the ground? What was he writing? Then Jesus stood up and said "Let the one among you who is without sin cast the first stone! " (John 8 verses 6-7)

Ok, I see the problem here...

Alvertsky, you are not making a distinction between Jesus condoning loving someone and His condoning marrying them. These are two different things. Read the article again. He is not talking about marriage.
 
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Alvertsky

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Ok, I see the problem here...

Alvertsky, you are not making a distinction between Jesus condoning loving someone and His condoning marrying them. These are two different things. Read the article again. He is not talking about marriage.
Are you the one without sin?
 

DuckieLady

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Why can't a christian marry an unbeliever

2 Corinthians 6:1 - onwards



14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?c Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell with them

and walk among them,

and I will be their God,

and they will be My people."

17
“Therefore come out from among them

and be separate, says the Lord.

Touch no unclean thing,

and I will receive you.”

18And:

“I will be a Father to you,

and you will be My sons and daughters,

says the Lord Almighty.”

So basically, marrying an unbeliever, as I did, can be considered idolatry. It can also make your life horrible. A man without Jesus cannot love you like Jesus - not that every man that **claims** to have Jesus can love you like Jesus either.

That goes without saying, but maybe that's why the Bible says "Do not awaken love until it pleases." Because it's a lovely thing that can bring a lot of torment into your life if you're not careful and trust the wrong person and put all of your faith in the wrong people.

I'm not bitter
 

Alvertsky

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2 Corinthians 6:1 - onwards



14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?c Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell with them

and walk among them,

and I will be their God,

and they will be My people."

17
“Therefore come out from among them

and be separate, says the Lord.

Touch no unclean thing,

and I will receive you.”

18And:

“I will be a Father to you,

and you will be My sons and daughters,

says the Lord Almighty.”

So basically, marrying an unbeliever, as I did, can be considered idolatry. It can also make your life horrible. A man without Jesus cannot love you like Jesus - not that every man that claims to have Jesus can love you like Jesus either. That goes without saying, but maybe that's why the Bible says "Do not awaken love until it pleases." Because it's a lovely thing that can bring a lot of torment into your life if you're not careful and trust the wrong person and put all of your faith in the wrong people.

I'm not bitter
Would you have stoned the prostitute? Or showed her your love and compassion? As the Son of God taught?
 

DuckieLady

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Well that's a very perceptive question.

The analogy is of say an ox tied together with a horse, or a horse with a donkey. They are going to pull at different speeds, and by "pull" I mean in service to the Lord. So if you are talking about someone from a very alive and on fire denomination becoming yoked to someone from an incredibly dead one, yes, I think that would qualify as being unequally yoked.

For that matter, I think you would find even someone from your own denomination but who was just going through the motions to be someone you were very unequally yoked to if you married them. Many Christians do this. One is sold out and pulling like crazy, but they find out that the other one just appeared to be pulling, but was only doing so long enough to get a ring on their finger.

Way of the world, I guess. It's why believers need to be very careful about who they marry. Lots of donkeys out there, and if you're bred for speed, well, you're in trouble.


Unfortunately, as an anabaptist, if I was to find someone from my own denomination I'd probably be in a lot of trouble. They tend to be Mennonites or Amish, and if they took my buttons then I'd REALLY go all out on them. I'm 33 and I think by my age all of the good men are sold out anyway and you're left with a lot of divorced guys and not always those whose marriages ended with their wives cheating on them, and therefore they're all out of the question under Matthew 5:32.