Loyalty: Joshua 23:14-16; Psalm 33:4; Psalm 119:151; John 15:1-17:3 Acts 11:23
Loyalty in a relationship is important because without it we would be unfaithful.
If we are unfaithful, relationships will have no love and relationships will be full of sin. In the book of Joshua 23:14-16; God tells us that if we are not loyal and trustworthy to him then he will “bring all the evil he has threatened until he has destroyed us from this good land”. This shows us it is important to be loyal in relationships. If in a relationship someone is not loyal to the other then the relationship will be built on the wrong foundations. What I mean is that the relationship will be like the relationship between a master and his servant; the master will tell his servant none of his business. If the servant is loyal to his master then they will become friends. If we are not loyal to God we “will perish quickly from the good land which he has given us”. In a marriage it is important that both partners stay loyal to one another. If they do not stay loyal, one may commit adultery, which is a sin.
Coursework Question 2
Explain how in the course of their marriage, a Christian couple would apply the beliefs you have mentioned in your answer. Consider one or more situations in which Christian belief would “make a difference”. Consider whether all Christian couples would respond in the same way.
In a situation where two Christian people are married many of the principles I have mentioned in above are considered important. In a situation where a married couple wish to engage in sexual intercourse without the use of artificial family planning methods such as contraception etc. The principles trust and honesty will come into play as one of the partners will have complete trust in the other that they are being honest about their fertility cycle or any sexually transmitted diseases etc.
There are other situations such as adultery where one partner may have to be honest and forgiving. If one partner is having an affair they may need to be honest to their partner about it. This means that partner will have to show forgiveness.
Even though people sinned Jesus still forgave them by sacrificing his own life. In spite of this there are many different opinions. In the Catholic Church, divorce cannot be granted unless one of the partners had been forced in to the marriage against their will in which case an annulment can be given. This is not a divorce, but a voiding of the marriage. It suggests the marriage cannot have been a marriage in the first place. However in the Christian church a divorce can be approved. I have stated this for the reason that many Catholics would respond in different ways to sins such as adultery. Many would like to be granted a divorce, yet will be told by the church that they must show forgiveness for their partner. In the circumstances of adultery being committed forgiveness makes a great deal of difference; this is because without forgiveness then love would soon disappear in many relationships. Without love in relationships then the chances of being procreative are reduced dramatically. In addition connection with God and that couple may be lost.
People face many of these dilemmas and people hold many different views. Some Christians believe that Catholic churches should allow divorce under extreme conditions. There may be a couple which cannot be procreative because one partner carries a sexually transmitted disease. Many people suffer these situations. Some women are physically and sexually abused by their husbands and may find it hard to show forgiveness. They may want a divorce, but cannot be given one. On the other hand some Christians believe it is better for Catholic churches to have this policy. This may be because it gives people a chance to realise the kind of suffering that Jesus went through for our sins. Jesus said “If people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land”. This means that those who pray for forgiveness and turn from their sinful ways will have their sins forgiven by our father in heaven.
I personally feel that people married under the Catholic tradition should be given divorces under the extreme conditions, which I mentioned previously.
Coursework Question 3
“Lifelong marriage is too difficult even for Christians today. The church should be willing to drop this vow” Do you agree? Give reasons for you answers, showing that you have considered more than one point of view.
In my opinion the Roman Catholic Church should drop this vow. My reasons for this are that some marriages are ruined by constant violence and an abusive nature towards partner or children. I feel the Catholic Church should allow the partner being abused to ask for a divorce knowing it will be granted. I believe they should be allowed to marry again and start a new life. In a marriage where one partner is violent, abusive or alcoholic; it becomes harder for the other partner to show love. The love will slowly fade away if one partner is not willing to forgive the other. An additional reason may be if one of the partners has a serious mental illness or sexually transmitted disease where they are incapable of showing love or being procreative I feel the Catholic Church should consider giving a divorce. Of course it is not the fault of the ill person, but I don’t think the healthy partner should be left to suffer. Another reason is that one partner may commit adultery and therefore become sinful and untrustworthy. On the other hand everyone makes mistakes and no one is perfect. The trustworthy partner should try to forgive their spouse and bring about reconciliation.
I believe married couples should be granted a divorce under the above circumstances. The Catholic Church should think about accepting people for divorce under those states of affairs. If there are children involved in a relationship where the parents are abusive to one another and violent then the Catholic Church should think about granting divorce. If a one of the partners seek reconciliation then there is a possibility that they may change their sinful ways and their spouse will show forgiveness then love for their partner.
I personally feel that lifelong marriage is a vow that some couples find almost impossible. I t should not be a vow in my opinion. It will give people the opportunity to reform their life if things go wrong. On the contrary some disciples changed their lifestyles when they followed Jesus, although they were still married they didn’t act as married men. Yet there is a reply to that statement and that is because marriage is a sacrament (the couple are joined with God) it cannot be stopped/broken.