I read this in an interview from Stanley Hauerwas in response to a question about marriage.
When couples come to ministers to talk about their marriage ceremonies, ministers think it's interesting to ask if they love one another. What a stupid question! How would they know? A Christian marriage isn't about whether you're in love. Christian marriage is giving you the practice of fidelity over a lifetime in which you can look back upon the marriage and call it love. It is a hard discipline over many years.Labels: christian love, divorce, love, Marriage, pre-marital counseling |
For me, marriage is great. But the word love has many, many different meanings and intereptations. I would hate to be the one giving marriage/love advise to a young couple. I think that for most young people trying to understand the depth and spiritual ramifications of marriage is like an ant trying to understand the internet! Of course I love my wife, but more than that I like her. We are on the same page and are headed toward the same goals in life. As time goes on, and you life experiences grow, your relationship deepens I think on a more spiritual love scale. Love can be expressed in so many ways. My heart goes out to young people getting married. With the divorce statistics looming in their mind, I am sure that scares a lot of people. That coupled with their individual family history concerning marriage can influence their lives. My daughter is getting married next month and I wonder how she will manage. Divorce is rampant in both of our families. But the advise that I gave her was simple. The number one relationship in your life has to be with Jesus. As long as that relationship is good, chances are that your marriage will be good too. Paul talks a good bit on how all of that should work. By the way…thanks for marrying us…we just had our anniversary last Sunday.