We do not know how God is going to work in the couple’s life beyond the wedding. That’s between them and God. Especially considering how many seemingly perfect Christian marriages tall apart.
And I am weirded out by Piper’s fixation on these matters. He always manages to strike an off chord with me.
John Piper is also a neverTrumper.
Fall apart*
Guess me and hubby iof 18 years should have just gone to Vegas instead of our wedding.
I am not supporting pre-marital sex, but this statement is incorrect. The Greek word is 'porneia' where the word 'pornography' comes from. It covers a range of sin, including fornication, but the far more common use was homosexuality and bestiality.
Man does not dictate my relationship with God. I am a Christian. God gave me free will and I use it. My relationship with HIM is personal and I do not need nor will I allow someone else to dictate my behavior. The 10 Commandments has been part of my life as long as I can remember and they will guide me through the rest of my life.
God loved David and he had hundreds of concubines...
It’s people like this that make it hard to be a conservative.
How about we let GOD judge it in the end? I’d bet this guy has a store supply level of Vaseline in his bathroom.
“Judgement is Pipers”
Said God, never.
Great way to bring families apart...
So, the only forgiveness should come from Christ Himself, but not from fellow Christians? We are all sinners, it’s just a matter of which sins we commit.
“A Bible-believing Christian couple that believes fornication is permissible should be “disciplined” said Piper.”
Sounds like he thinks they need a spanking. Weirdo...
You don’t look behind the door unless you’ve hid there yourself once.
Just sayin’
It should be noted that Paul doesn't limit excommunication to just fornicators. Included in his list are: the covetous, idolaters, revilers, drunkards and extortioners. I wonder how many in our churches, including pastors, are covetous people and according to Paul, deserving of excommunication?
So there's no misunderstanding, I agree with Paul. The 21st century church is divided in many ways, so there's no consistency in doctrine, which included how to discipline believers. Is it the role of the Pastor to be the grand inquisitor of the flock? I don't think so. I believe the preacher preaches as he is led of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit convicts the hearer and the hearer chooses to believe or reject the Word. Now, if a Believer is openly practicing sin he should be referred to the Pastor or apply Matthew 18:16 .
This is in regards to Christians who do not repent. Piper is right. If this couple doesn’t understand the importance of their testimony to a fallen world, they most likely are not Christians and their marriage ceremony is nothing more than a sham. One also has to wonder why this Christian who asked this question even be associating with this couple who are living outside marriage.
This is why the world sees no difference in Christians today because Christians are more frequently adopting the world’s standard.
There are pastors who will not preform weddings for people who are already leaving together there are other pastors that will because they are moving from sin into holiness.
I do not find this author's argument persuasive.
Our church won’t marry people if they are living together, so it is a non-issue for us.
are we to rely on mind-reading, speculation, or direct questioning of the couple?
Yea, Jesus prob shouldn’t have gone to that party and turned water into wine, either. Too many sinners in attendance, I’m sure. (BIG EYE ROLL)
I decided long ago that I won’t attend second weddings in many cases. Amazingly few of my friends have gotten divorced so it’s not an issue.
I can only think of one of my friends who have divorced.
My parents got divorced and remarried. Both had no guests including us kids.
In my dad’s case, he was living in Florida and was a really private person.
For my mom, his kids and her kids didn’t have one weekend all summer where we were all free. In our case, our events were ones that we couldn’t change. I’ve actually never even met some of his kids but they’ve only been married fifteen years of so.
Is he suggesting that we should ask our friends to tell us - CONVINCINGLY - their relationship with God and their feelings towards f@(king before we can accept a wedding invite?
Sorry, but I have a hard enough time trying to pick the beef, chicken or fish entree on my invite - picking Godly winners and losers is going a bit too far!