Skip to main content

Translate

Relax and Listen >

A number of cross-cultural weddings takes place in our country now. There are ardent advocates for both sides of the argument. Does the Bible say anything on this?


Reading: Acts 17:22-28
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free,
for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28)
 
A number of cross-cultural weddings takes place in our country now. There are ardent advocates for both sides of the argument. Does the Bible say anything on this?
The Bible does not discourage cross-cultural marriages directly or indirectly. The only thing it speaks against is a believer in Christ marrying an unbeliever (2 Cor 6:14,15). Abraham's plea with his servant not to go to the Canaanites to find a bride for his son was not because of the cross-cultural factor. He did not want Isaac to return to the land from where God had called him out (Gen 24:1-19). God got angry with Miriam and Aaron who spoke against the cross-cultural marriage of Moses (Num 12:1,9). Joseph's wife was a non-Hebrew (Gen 41:45).
Personally, while I am not against cross-cultural marriages, I am not advocating them either. Even when the bride and groom are from the same cultural background, there may be so many differences—temperamental, intellectual, spiritual, etc. Cultural difference will certainly increase the stress. When the Bible says that there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek, it is relating to our salvation and standing before God (Gal 3:28).
When the marriage partners belong to different countries, the children may develop identity crisis. When they belong to different languages, they have to be fluent in a common language to communicate and confide. One has to be pragmatic about all these.
We do not encourage cross-cultural marriages among the field believers in pioneer missionary work, as this hinders mass movement of people groups as communities embracing the Christian faith. When young people from other faiths come to Christ, we must do all that is possible to find them life partners among believers of their own communities. Otherwise their folks will turn hostile and bitter towards anything Christian. Social reformation is not the priority in Evangelism. Otherwise, Paul in his time would have campaigned against the slave trade. Instead he was a Jew to the Jews and a non-Jew to the non-Jews (1 Cor 9:20,21). It would not please God to reject a marriage proposal purely on caste consideration when other factors are satisfactory.
"Dearest Jesus, we kiss You for choosing us" 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

God’s undeserved kindness to you

If we see our past, none of us deserve the salvation, out of his magnificent kindness he has saved us and He has hand picked us. ‘I will surely show you kindness.’ 2 Samuel 9:7 In Bible times, when a new king ascended to the throne, he commonly killed or banished each and every member of the historical king’s family. So, here’s the story. Jonathan, King Saul’s son, and David, whom Saul hated, have been shut friends. So close, they made a covenant to guard one every other with their lives. After Jonathan and Saul died in battle, Jonathan had one last son known as Mephibosheth. So, David had him delivered to the palace, saying, ‘I will sincerely exhibit you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will repair to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will constantly consume at my table.’ Mephibosheth used to be dwelling in Lo Debar, which skill ‘the land of nothing…the region of no bread’ (see two Samuel 9:4-5). That’s significant, due to the fact when y...
Post a Comment
Read more

The difference between Samson and Samuel

Everyone has a choice....to become Samson or Samuel!! ‘Time would fail me to tell of…Samson…and Samuel.’ Hebrews 11:32  Samson and Samuel are mentioned in the same Scripture, but there are big differences between them. You ask, ‘Why should I be interested?’ Because as a Christian, you are like them. Each had a miraculous birth, so they’re a picture of those who’ve been born again and called to serve God. Paul writes, ‘These things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition…Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall’ 1 Corinthians 10:11-12 . Difference one: Finances. Samson was greedy and manipulating, whereas Samuel practised integrity. One day Samson bet thirty Philistine princes that they couldn’t solve his riddle, saying, ‘If you cannot explain it to me, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing’ Judges 14:13. Quite a wardrobe, eh? Samson’s emphasis was ‘you shall give me’. He’s an exampl...
Post a Comment
Read more

Best way to study the Bible

knowing how to study the Bible is important because determining the meaning of scripture is the most important task in life for a believer. One of the noblest interests a infant of God can embark upon is to get to recognize and apprehend God better. The first-class way to accomplish this is to show up cautiously at the Bible, which communicates who God is and the structure for mankind. There are a vary of techniques we can learn about the Bible, then again one of the most excellent and effortless techniques to analyzing and grasp God’s Word in best three easy steps: Step 1: Observation—What does the passage say? Step 2: Interpretation—What does the passage mean? Step 3: Application—What am I going to do about what the passage says and means? Let's dive into every step of inspecting the Bible. Step 1 of Bible Study: Observation Observation is the first and most integral step in how to locate out about the Bible. As you study the Bible text, you want to show up cautiously at what is ...
Post a Comment
Read more