Jie-Huli
Puritan Board Freshman
No, I myself am not considering marrying a non-Christian. In fact, I have always believed adamantly that a Christian may not become "unequally yoked" by marrying someone if not convinced that person is also a true Christian, and I have given sharp exhortations to others about this as well.
The main reason I am asking this question is that I was startled to find in a biography of Jonathan Edwards (by Iain H. Murray) that Mr. Edwards may not have believed as I do.
In a chapter concerning Edwards' daughter, Esther, it is related that a young women corresponded with Esther concerning her doubts over a potential suitor because he was not capable of "religious conversation". Esther apparently "replied that any certainy as to a person's conversion is not essential to marriage."
She wrote:
"How knowest thou, O Woman, but thou mayest gain thy Husband. I think there is a good deal of reason to hope it as he has such a desire to have a religious wife." (Let me say I find it very dubious indeed to use this verse in such a context when the young lady had not actually married the man yet).
Esther's letter to the young woman also contains some surprising statements as to her parents' view on the subject:
"I know it to be the opinion of my Honoured Parents that a person aught not to make conscience of the matter. They say that some other things were more necessary to happyness in a Married state, (which things you have mentioned of him) but when a Religion meets those other things it Crowns all - tis properly the Crown, but my dear this alone wil not do - look around, you will soon see that tis not every good Man that you could live happily with in that state."
I find this statement of Edwards' views surprising to say the least.
So whay say the brethren and sistren here?
May we or may we not be dogmatic in asserting that the Bible forbids Christians from marrying someone if not convinced of his/her conversion?
Jie-Huli
The main reason I am asking this question is that I was startled to find in a biography of Jonathan Edwards (by Iain H. Murray) that Mr. Edwards may not have believed as I do.
In a chapter concerning Edwards' daughter, Esther, it is related that a young women corresponded with Esther concerning her doubts over a potential suitor because he was not capable of "religious conversation". Esther apparently "replied that any certainy as to a person's conversion is not essential to marriage."
She wrote:
"How knowest thou, O Woman, but thou mayest gain thy Husband. I think there is a good deal of reason to hope it as he has such a desire to have a religious wife." (Let me say I find it very dubious indeed to use this verse in such a context when the young lady had not actually married the man yet).
Esther's letter to the young woman also contains some surprising statements as to her parents' view on the subject:
"I know it to be the opinion of my Honoured Parents that a person aught not to make conscience of the matter. They say that some other things were more necessary to happyness in a Married state, (which things you have mentioned of him) but when a Religion meets those other things it Crowns all - tis properly the Crown, but my dear this alone wil not do - look around, you will soon see that tis not every good Man that you could live happily with in that state."
I find this statement of Edwards' views surprising to say the least.
So whay say the brethren and sistren here?
May we or may we not be dogmatic in asserting that the Bible forbids Christians from marrying someone if not convinced of his/her conversion?
Jie-Huli