#96 Qs on Marriage - Help...I‘ve become a Christian but my partner isn‘t interested in getting married
Dec 16, 2021
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NT Wright answers questions on various aspects of marriage, including the church's view on marriage, dealing with a disinterested partner, and navigating different faith and political beliefs within a marriage. They also explore the unintentional exclusion of single people in churches, discuss the importance of including singles in the church community, and address social issues surrounding singleness. A person shares their struggle as a recent Christian with a non-believing partner, seeking guidance on how to navigate their relationship.
Churches may unintentionally idolize marriage, excluding single individuals from leadership positions and conversations.
Couples with differing beliefs should seek guidance from a wise pastor, prioritize love, understanding, and prayer in their relationship.
Deep dives
Idolizing Marriage in Churches
The podcast addresses the issue of churches unintentionally idolizing marriage. While some churches claim to support singleness, they may still exclude single people from leadership positions or avoid conversations with them. The host suggests that this perspective may have emerged in response to cultural messages devaluing marriage. However, the speaker emphasizes the importance of valuing marriage and building healthy relationships. Despite this, they acknowledge the need to address the concerns raised by single individuals and ensure churches embrace all believers.
Navigating Unequal Faith in Relationships
The podcast delves into the challenges faced by couples with unequal faith. The speaker empathizes with an anonymous listener who recently came to faith while their partner remains a non-believer. The listener grapples with the dilemma of breaking up their family or continuing in the relationship without being married. The speaker advises seeking guidance from a wise pastor and highlights the complexity of such situations. They emphasize the importance of love, understanding, and prayer, suggesting that the couple find ways to cherish their relationship while navigating their differing beliefs.
Dealing with Diverging Views in Marriage
The podcast addresses the struggles of a listener who feels intellectually and emotionally disconnected from their spouse due to diverging beliefs. The listener expresses regret over marrying someone with rigid fundamentalist evangelical views that don't align with their own evolving faith. The speaker encourages relentless honesty and open dialogue in the marriage, suggesting reading biblical texts and theological books together. They emphasize the importance of respecting each other's perspectives while seeking new ways to build a shared life with conviction and mutual understanding.
Does the church idolise marriage? I've become a Christian but my partner isn't interested in marriage - what should I do? What if I no longer respect my husband's views? Tom takes listener questions on marriage.