Marriage between Catholics and Protestants

[Reformed]

I have been blessed with three sons, ages 19, 17, and 15. Conversations have come up on the subject of marriage between Protestants, Catholics, Mormons, unbelievers, etc.

I would like to hear perspectives on Christian marriages between Roman Catholic Christians and Protestant Christians. Do you think it is biblical for Roman Catholics and Protestants to marry? What are the issues involved in a Roman Catholic and Protestant marriage. I believe that the man is the spiritual head of a family. Therefore, the man should determine how a Christian couple should worship God as a Christian couple accoding to his convictions supported in the Scriptures.

1 Corinthians 11:3
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

1 Peter 3:1
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,

Wives and Husbands - Epheisans 5
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

1 Peter 3:7
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

 

[1ke]

I would like to hear perspectives on Christian marriages between Roman Catholic Christians and Protestant Christians. Do you think it is biblical for Roman Catholics and Protestants to marry?

No. This is always a spiritually perilous idea. It is permitted but discouraged by the Catholic Church. Personally, I don’t think it should be permitted at all.

What are the issues involved in a Roman Catholic and Protestant marriage.

The Catholic must marry in the Catholic form or receive a dispensation from it. A Catholic must receiver permission to marry a non-Catholic Christian and a dispensation to marry a non-baptized person. A Catholic must promise to raise their children Catholic. A Catholic must continue in the practice of their faith. The permissions necessary for a Catholic to marry a non-Catholic should not be given if there is doubt about the Catholic’s ability to continue practicing their faith freely.

I believe that the man is the spiritual head of a family. Therefore, the man should determine how a Christian couple should worship God as a Christian couple accoding to his convictions supported in the Scriptures.

That is not an acceptable position for a Catholic.

 

[Katholikos]

Do you think it is biblical for Roman Catholics and Protestants to marry?

The Bible came out of the Catholic Church; the Church did not come out of the Bible. She is four centuries older than the Bible. Marriage regulation was the exclusive province of the Church, not the state, until Martin Luther’s revolt in the 16th century (who, BTW, approved bigamy and polygamy).

The Church makes laws regarding marriage that must be obeyed by Catholics. The Church reluctantly permits Catholics to marry Protestants under certain circumstances, but it is always a bad idea for any Catholic to put his religion at risk through marriage with any non-Catholic – that is true for Roman Catholics, Byzantine Catholics, Maronite Catholics, and all other members of the 23 rites of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Katholikos

 

[Reformed]

No. This is always a spiritually perilous idea. It is permitted but discouraged by the Catholic Church. Personally, I don’t think it should be permitted at all.

The Catholic must marry in the Catholic form or receive a dispensation from it. A Catholic must receiver permission to marry a non-Catholic Christian and a dispensation to marry a non-baptized person. A Catholic must promise to raise their children Catholic. A Catholic must continue in the practice of their faith. The permissions necessary for a Catholic to marry a non-Catholic should not be given if there is doubt about the Catholic’s ability to continue practicing their faith freely.

Originally Posted by Reformed
I believe that the man is the spiritual head of a family. Therefore, the man should determine how a Christian couple should worship God as a Christian couple accoding to his convictions supported in the Scriptures.

Please note what I highlighted in red. It sure seems you are rejecting biblical truths and commands for traditions of men. I didn’t realize that many Roman Catholics will not yield their believes and practice to God’s revelation found in the Holy Scriptures. Do Catholics have a different set of rules then what is written in the Scriptures? Do you think you can support your beliefs on marriage in the Scriptures? I can say that the Bible reveals that marriage is between a man and a woman. The only requirment for Christians is that they need to marry another Christian (equally yoked).

 

[Reformed]

The Bible came out of the Catholic Church; the Church did not come out of the Bible. She is four centuries older than the Bible. Marriage regulation was the exclusive province of the Church, not the state, until Martin Luther’s revolt in the 16th century (who, BTW, approved bigamy and polygamy).

The Church makes laws regarding marriage that must be obeyed by Catholics. The Church reluctantly permits Catholics to marry Protestants under certain circumstances, but it is always a bad idea for any Catholic to put his religion at risk through marriage with any non-Catholic – that is true for Roman Catholics, Byzantine Catholics, Maronite Catholics, and all other members of the 23 rites of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Katholikos

The Bible is God-breathed. If the Catholic Church gave us the Bible, then the Holy Book is no longer God-breathed. I’m sadden that Catholics will submit to traditions of men over the Word of God. I have no idea how the Catholic position in regards to marriage between a Protestant and Catholic can be supported in the Holy Bible. We should all try to take an extremely high view of God’s Holy Word in belief and practice. There is simply two divisions in all of humanity. We have those who are united to Christ and those who are not. Those who know Christ and united to Him must marry a person from the opposite sex who also knows Christ and united to Him.

 

[ralphinal]

If a man says that she should no longer be Catholic, and she is totally sure that the Catholic faith is correct, what should she do?

What about the inverse? Can a CAtholic husband order his wife to be Catholic even though she does not accept what the Catholic CHurch teaches?

 

[Reformed]

If a man says that she should no longer be Catholic, and she is totally sure that the Catholic faith is correct, what should she do?

What about the inverse? Can a CAtholic husband order his wife to be Catholic even though she does not accept what the Catholic CHurch teaches?

I guess it depends on a person’s view on the invisible church. Even the Catechism will call Protestants your separated brethrens. I have always stated that there is a Roman Catholic remnant that make-up a part of the invisible church. Within the true eternal church of God, there are no denominational distinctives in the reality of being a new creature in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Galatians 6:15
For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

BTW… I had many Roman Catholic friends in high school and college; therefore I attended many catholic weddings. I was also in several wedding parties in the catholic weddings. I have seen my Roman Catholic friends bounce from Catholic Churches to Protestant churches and reverse, and various church combinations. Marriage is forever and not necessarily our denominations and traditons.

 

[ralphinal]

I guess it depends on a person’s view on the invisible church. Even the Catechism will call Protestants your separated brethrens. I have always stated that there is a Roman Catholic remnant that make-up a part of the invisible church. Within the true eternal church of God, there are no denominational distinctives in the reality of being a new creature in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Galatians 6:15
For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

BTW… I had many Roman Catholic friends in high school and college; therefore I attended many catholic weddings. I was also in several wedding parties in the catholic weddings. I have seen my Roman Catholic friends bounce from Catholic Churches to Protestant churches and reverse, and various church combinations. Marriage is forever and not necessarily our denominations and traditons.

You did not directly answer my question. Your post is not a bad one, but it is not telling.

Can I order my Methodist wife to become Catholic even though she does not beleive what the Catholic Church teaches?

Can a man order his wife to leave the Catholic Church even though she has no doubts about what the Catholic Church teaches?

 

[1ke]

Please note what I highlighted in red. It sure seems you are rejecting biblical truths and commands for traditions of men.

I reject your faulty interpretation of the Scriptures.

 

[valient_Lucy]

I am determined to raise my children in the Catholic Church. Furthermore, as a Catholic, I am bound by the Church to do everything in my power to raise my children Catholic, even if I was to marry a non-Catholic.

I would not marry a non-Catholic, or at least, I would be VERY hesitant to do so. Why would I want to marry someone with whom I could not share the Faith?

 

[BlestOne]

Reformed… Thanks for the laugh!!! I saw it was you that started this thread and bet that you were going to ask us to support our answer biblically… I won!!!

Anyway, if you agree that we worship the same God then you would have to agree that If you believe in God’s plan for marriage, our basic beliefs would be the same. Yet in the Catholic Church, marriage is a sacrament because we believe in the graces granted to us when we follow God’s plan for marriage through the church.

 

[Reformed]

You did not directly answer my question. Your post is not a bad one, but it is not telling.

Can I order my Methodist wife to become Catholic even though she does not beleive what the Catholic Church teaches?

YES

Can a man order his wife to leave the Catholic Church even though she has no doubts about what the Catholic Church teaches?

YES

 

[Reformed]

I reject your faulty interpretation of the Scriptures.

Okay, at least I posted scripture to support my beliefs. Do you mind posting scripture to support your beliefs too. If we don’t have a common source of truth, at the end of the day we have fallible and faulty personal opinion. If we rely on personal opinions to determine truth, what good is biblical revelation from God? If we do not have a source of truth from God, then your opinion is no better that the secular liberal humanist. I can say that life starts even before conception based on the Holy Word of God. God knew us even before He formed us (conception). The human life starts way before conception. Our life actually began in the mind of God.

Jeremiah 1:5

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

 

[Reformed]

I am determined to raise my children in the Catholic Church. Furthermore, as a Catholic, I am bound by the Church to do everything in my power to raise my children Catholic, even if I was to marry a non-Catholic.

I would not marry a non-Catholic, or at least, I would be VERY hesitant to do so. Why would I want to marry someone with whom I could not share the Faith?

Thanks for your post. It appears you have been blessed by God with children. My children are right around the corner from marriage. I thought it would be good to explore this question before it happens. Maybe one day this will be a question that you will have to deal with…with your kids. If that happens, will you look to the Scriptures for answers, or to the Catholic Church?

 

[Reformed]

Reformed… Thanks for the laugh!!! I saw it was you that started this thread and bet that you were going to ask us to support our answer biblically… I won!!!

Anyway, if you agree that we worship the same God then you would have to agree that If you believe in God’s plan for marriage, our basic beliefs would be the same. Yet in the Catholic Church, marriage is a sacrament because we believe in the graces granted to us when we follow God’s plan for marriage through the church.

LOL…isn’t this fun. I’m not sure if the Bible describes marriage as a sacrament. I can post scripture which states my wife and chldren are gifts and blessings from God. Since my wife and I were not married in the Catholic Church, is my marriage still a gift from God? Have I deviated from God’s plan for marriage since the Catholic Church did not peform my marriage?

 

[1ke]

Okay, at least I posted scripture to support my beliefs. Do you mind posting scripture to support your beliefs too.

I reject Sola Scriptura as unbibilcal and I feel no need to defend my position using *your *parameters. I reject your entire theological starting point.

If we don’t have a common source of truth, at the end of the day we have fallible and faulty personal opinion.

You are correct that you have no objectively, infallible source of truth and only faulty and fallible personal opinion. That is why Protestantism’s idea of Sola Scriptura is false and dangerous.

I, OTOH, have the Church, which is infallible.

If we rely on personal opinions to determine truth, what good is biblical revelation from God? If we do not have a source of truth from God, then your opinion is no better that the secular liberal humanist.

We do have a source for Truth. The Church.

I can say that life starts even before conception based on the Holy Word of God.

There you go again with your own, personal interpretation of Scripture. Mormons use this very verse and line of reasoning to defend pre-existence of the soul-- spirit babies created by Heavenly Mother and Father God.

 

[Reformed]

I reject Sola Scriptura as unbibilcal and I feel no need to defend my position using *your *parameters. I reject your entire theological starting point.

You are correct that you have no objectively, infallible source of truth and only faulty and fallible personal opinion. That is why Protestantism’s idea of Sola Scriptura is false and dangerous.

I, OTOH, have the Church, which is infallible.

We do have a source for Truth. The Church.

There you go again with your own, personal interpretation of Scripture. Mormons use this very verse and line of reasoning to defend pre-existence of the soul-- spirit babies created by Heavenly Mother and Father God.

You sure don’t like the Holy Scriptures, do you?

Did you know that Jesus and the Apostles quoted the Scriptures (Old Testament) all the time. When Jesus was tempted by Satan, He responded with the Word of God (Old Testament).

 

[cfrancis]

Thanks for your post. It appears you have been blessed by God with children. My children are right around the corner from marriage. I thought it would be good to explore this question before it happens. Maybe one day this will be a question that you will have to deal with…with your kids. If that happens, will you look to the Scriptures for answers, or to the Catholic Church?

I have to ask this question, after seeing the same tactic used many times by you: why do you resort to the false dilemma: “you either follow Scripture or the Catholic Church”? Are you accustomed to dealing with people who so easily give sway to your logical fallacies?

Every time a poster presents Scripture supporting Catholic beliefs, you reply that, in your opinion and interpretation, you disagree.

OK, you disagree. But your disagreement does not make your interpretation correct.

In fact, in every post in which you provide Scripture, you have yet to provide the reason your interpretation should be considered authoritative.

 

[cfrancis]

You sure don’t like the Holy Scirptures, do you?

Oh, I disagree! 1ke appears to love God’s written Word far more than you…but I doubt you can see this fact.

 

[1ke]

Since my wife and I were not married in the Catholic Church, is my marriage still a gift from God? Have I deviated from God’s plan for marriage since the Catholic Church did not peform my marriage?

Yes. The Catholic Church recognizes your marriage as valid and if both of you are baptized also as a Sacrament-- presuming neither you nor your wife are Catholics and neither you nor your wife were previously married and divorced.

The Catholic *form * requirement for marriage applies only to Catholics.