Muslim-Christian Marriage
Q: I am Muslim and while I don’t have anything against Christians, I just wonder if a lady in your congregation asks you about marrying a Muslim man, what would you say to her? What is the Christian way to approach this situation? My Christian girlfriend and I are seriously considering marriage and want to think about everything. Thank you very much. I’ve just started to read your website and I think it’s very cool.
A: Normally, I will counsel people to seriously consider the Christian Scriptures, especially the Apostle Paul’s caution to Christians: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)” Even though Christians, Jews, and Muslims are often classified together as “people of the Book” and as monotheists, only Christianity claims that, while One, God also exists as three distinct Persons and that one of the Persons took on human flesh and lived and died on this earth.
Because of this life and death and through His glorious resurrection from the dead, we believe that we inherit heaven not because of our own works but through the merits of Christ as we believe in Him. Thus, committed Christians will, if married to non-Christians, be constantly concerned about the eternal salvation of their spouses. While an earthly marriage may be blessed, even if one partner is Christian and the other isn’t, a Christian will also be looking forward to an eternal “marriage” — that of Christ with His Bride, the Christian Church. We want those with whom we live on earth also to live forever in heaven in perfect joy and we know in our hearts that this can happen only through faith in Jesus Christ — true God and true man — as our Savior from sin.
You’ll need to talk all this through with your girlfriend and with her priest or pastor to see if you all think that your marriage will have a chance. In my own heart, I would desire you to immerse yourself in the Christian Scriptures and be brought to faith in Christ through the power of God the Holy Spirit.
Addendum: See also the 2008 Q&A Muslim-Christian Marriage Possibility
Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version™, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles.
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Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book What Do Lutherans Believe.
posted by Xrysostom | 20:40
5 Comments:
Well, unless you've been there, you cannot speak from an educated viewpoint.
My new blog is precisely on this topic of Christians marrying Muslims.
So far, only the Catholic Church has taken a firm stand on this topic. More and more women will speak out, the reality of marrying Muslims, divorce, laws, etc.
I cannot stress my point enough. Educate yourselves. For the Muslim male inquiry, his girlfriend should be responsible enough to study Islam thoroughly, the Laws also BEFORE considering this marriage.
And calkid, the children may be sanctified, however, under Islamic law the children must follow the father's religion.
He may be sanctified, but this does not change her rights, or lack of rights.
I am doing a posting on Cardinal Ruinis advisory. I feel all Clergy should follow suit.
This is a moral duty. Read below:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-1898451,00.html
I know this is 8.5 years later, but this is a good answer to at least one of the hurdles and challenges of such unions that I have been wondering about. The other is how to actually raise any children, even if they are considered holy and sanctified.
Although I believe it is more likely than not that God exists, I don't believe anyone can say with 100% certainty that God exists. Since we don't have absolute proof, because religion is a matter of faith, what if he doesn't, and those who say that all religions are fairy tales are right? It seems that your answer could for no good reason lead people to shattered dreams and unfulfilled lives. If God doesn't exist, I think the argument for marriage at all falls apart, except for any legal or secular reasons why it is still necessary.
Can an ordained christian minister marry a muslim man and chtistian woman
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