“Not every one is called to marriage.” Canon Llewellyn Armstrong, an Anglican (or Episcopal) priest for almost 50 years, was explaining why he has advised some couples against getting married because they are not marriage material.
“There are various reasons why people get married,” said the Rector of Calvary/St Cyprian’s Church in Brooklyn, who insists on counselling lovers before he agrees to perform the wedding ceremony.
“They would come and try to give the impression that they are so much in love and I can see through [them], that it’s not the case,” he added.
“We have situations in which other people tell couples they should be married [like] you are getting old and therefore should look for someone with whom you should settle down.
“Couples often get married for immigration purposes. And yes, I have suggested to people that they should not go ahead with the marriage ceremony because I didn’t see the marriage working.”
More modern baloney. It’s all about me, me, me! Christian life is about serving God and others, bringing His Kingdom into this world and becoming more Christ-like. It should start with those closest to us, family, spouse, parent, child, relations, Christian brothers and sisters and friends, the people we meet as we live our lives. IMHO, the easiest person of all to serve, and the top priority, is the spouse, as they are a part of you. I cannot imagine living any other way, nor would I want to.
Charles,
Obviously from your comment marriage is for you. However, I concur with the thrust of the article that there are some people for whom the single state is best. St. Paul actually affirms that this is prefferable to marriage. Marrying for the wrong reasons can be very destructive spiritually.
Christ is risen!
John
True. But in Paul’s context the alternative was celibacy. This article is all about selfishness and what is going to make old number one happy.
A CS Lewis Quote:
Ch 15, Mere Christianity: Chastity is the most unpopular of the Christian virtues. There is no getting away from it: the Christian rule is, ‘Either marriage, with complete faithfulness to your partner or else total abstinence.’ Now this is so difficult and so contrary to our instincts, that obviously either Christianity is wrong or our sexual instinct, as it now is, has gone wrong. One or the other. Of course, being a Christian, I think it is the instinct which has gone wrong.
CharlesB,
Where in the world do you get the idea that Canon Armstrong is anti-chastity ? I don’t see anything in the article to suggest he’s telling people to forget marriage & just go out and do it like rabbits.
Methinks you’re projecting [i]just[/i] a bit.