pgwolv
Puritan Board Freshman
I want to expand this discussion from two recent threads (https://www.puritanboard.com/threads/what-constitutes-a-marriage.114124/ and https://www.puritanboard.com/threads/barth-on-marriage.114810/).
One opinion in the latter link is tied to an understanding of John 4 that the woman at the well was in serial sexual relationships without being legally/officially married; thus sexual union constitutes a marriage, where it is not adultery/incest/rape.
A statement in the other thread was "Common law marriage is still recognized in most jurisdictions, so it is legal generally. "In the eyes of God" is most often a shift for justifying a sinful, selfish union."
I hold to the second view. But what what then should be the approach to couples living together who start attending one's church (by the Elders, not by me)? Do we say, you are legally "married" in the eyes of the law, so it's fine? I think this overlooks the sin of fornication. Should they not be told that they are living in sin and should be married in a biblical way, not just a legal way? To what extent are vows before witnesses integral to marriage?
EDIT: Please read the entire thread at https://www.puritanboard.com/threads/what-constitutes-a-marriage.114124/ before discussing. I think my main question would be, for those who, like me, do not see living together as a biblical marriage, what route does one take to guide them toward thinking biblically about marriage?
One opinion in the latter link is tied to an understanding of John 4 that the woman at the well was in serial sexual relationships without being legally/officially married; thus sexual union constitutes a marriage, where it is not adultery/incest/rape.
A statement in the other thread was "Common law marriage is still recognized in most jurisdictions, so it is legal generally. "In the eyes of God" is most often a shift for justifying a sinful, selfish union."
I hold to the second view. But what what then should be the approach to couples living together who start attending one's church (by the Elders, not by me)? Do we say, you are legally "married" in the eyes of the law, so it's fine? I think this overlooks the sin of fornication. Should they not be told that they are living in sin and should be married in a biblical way, not just a legal way? To what extent are vows before witnesses integral to marriage?
EDIT: Please read the entire thread at https://www.puritanboard.com/threads/what-constitutes-a-marriage.114124/ before discussing. I think my main question would be, for those who, like me, do not see living together as a biblical marriage, what route does one take to guide them toward thinking biblically about marriage?
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