Editors' Note: Even though they may have little
connection to a church, many couples today still want a traditional
wedding ceremony with a pastor officiating. If you were the pastor, how
would you respond? In this article, Deepak Reju of Capitol Hill Baptist
Church says "yes" with conditions. For a different take, see Russell Moore's answer.
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Suppose Debbie, who is not a Christian, asked me if I would officiate
at her wedding. She is planning to get married to her boyfriend, who is
also not a Christian. With a few important conditions, I would likely
say, "Yes." Why would I marry two non-Christians?
Marriage is a creation ordinance. God created marriage (Gen 2:15-25).
He made it as a fundamental part of how he designed the world we live
in. God gave marriage as a gift to the first couple and also to all men and women who desire to partake (James 1:17).
Marriage is also a common grace institution; a grace given by God to both Christians and non-Christians alike (Isaiah 62:5; Ezek 44:22; Matt 19:10; Matt 22:24-28; Luke 17:27; Luke 20:34).
Heterosexual marriage is legally recognized as a universal privilege
for any man and woman who desires it. As Solomon declares to his son,
"He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord"
(Prov 18:22).
A faithful husband and wife are an imperfect picture of God's committed love. Sin
may hinder our ability to reflect what God is like, but even as
sinners, we remain people made in the image of God. As such, two
non-Christians who stay committed to one another remind us of God. Their
marriage covenant reflects God's committed, covenantal love better than
our fickle, noncommittal love. Continue at Deepak Reju
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