Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

In 1 Corinthians 7:12-16, Paul advised Christians who were already married to non-Christians not to separate or seek divorce for that reason (although, if the non-Christian spouse decided to leave the Christian spouse because of the Christian spouse's faith, the Christian spouse was not obligated to remain in the marriage).

However, Paul also said in 2 Corinthians 6:14 that an unmarried Christian should not enter into marriage with an unbeliever, comparing such a marriage to a fellowship of light with darkness, or of righteousness with unrighteousness.

Since this is the most specific biblical teaching on this subject that is applicable to Christians, I'd say that Christian pastors would not be obligated to perform such a marriage, and would be acting biblically if they would refuse to do so. At the very least, I would think that the pastor would want to conduct premarital counselling before agreeing to perform the ceremony, which might result in the couple refraining from seeking the pastor's services at all, especially if the pastor would indicate that he would not perform the marriage if (after the counselling) the unbelieving party was still unwilling to accept Christ.

January 29 2016 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report