For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Brandon Hughes
I agree with the statements and scriptural references of the other answers. We should not marry a non-Christian.
A pastor I used to listen to used to tell the young people in the congregation: "I know you are lonely now but I promise you, there is a worse loneliness."
His statement is so true. How would it feel to be amazed at the grace shown to you, to stand in awe of your Savior or to have your eyes opened to a passage of scripture you have previously just glanced over only to have your spouse not only not understand what you're talking about but to not care either. I can think of nothing worse that to have the person closest to me in this life not care about the God who created them and forgives their sins.
Alegna Smoot
I see what you mean!
carolynn markiewicz
I would like to open this a little further. Being in agreement with God and the word of God is the assurance a marriage can be as God intended it to be.
Marriage is a covenant made by God himself . He is the designer, knowing the very way it works. The world has taken this relationship as if it is something made by man and can work all different ways.
This is not so, it is God's design and if we understood the very heart of God creating this covenant then divorce would not be an issue as it is today. Not only should people only marry another believer but also only marry equally yolked.
If two people are believers yet one is just a believer and one desires to live for the Lord, die to the flesh, read the word ,serve the Lord etc, you now have different goals ,desires, struggles making It difficult to walk as one. Many people believe Jesus is their Savior but do not desire a relationship beyond that. When one understands that everthing has to do with God and the other only believes that God saved them, you now have a problem of walking together as one.
Unless two agree ,how can you walk together.....
Mickson Snr
A very interesting question agitating the minds of many Christians.
In the context of marriage,much as same religion beliefs would be beneficial, inter-marriages with non Christians can also work well.
In marriage many options can be looked at and from different angles.
My view is; are the two parties marriageable materials?
What makes the Christian pure in marriage to a non Christian. If a Christian then finds in a non Christian a marriageable material,positive attributes to building a peaceful home, an indicative traits of being able to raise a vibrant family,what remarkable virtues do one need to consider again.
From the above mindset, reference to a non-Christian is one without any religious belief and has a willingness spirit to be transformed by whatever the Christian is bringing on board the marriage since he or she is looked at as the better criteria / choice.
I don't hold the view that Christians hold the key to good marriages, there are equally many Christians who are not marriageable materials and may be referred to as non-Christian in the context of marriage.
Marriage is all about love, pure in heart and a common stand to share views together for a positive family build up be it a Christian or non-Christian.
Brandon Hughes
Hello Mickson, from a worldy view your description of marriage is correct, two people only need to be compatible and produce children that can function in society.
However, as a Christian marriage is more than just love for a spouse and raising a family. The bible teaches that marriage is a very real picture of the relationship Jesus has with His church. Jesus describes marriage in such serious terms that the disciples say (paraphrasing): "If what Jesus said is true, it is better to never get married!" Paul speaks very clearly in Eph 5 about the parallels between man/wife and Christ/church.
Paul has much to say about the roles of men and women in marriage. If I marry an unbelieving wife who does not recognize the bible as an authority she will have no respect for the bible or any of its teachings (ex. roles of husband and wife, raising children, views on morals).
We wrongly assume if we marry an unbeliever our Christian faith will "rub off" on our spouse. Maybe that can happen but just as likely they will lead us away from Christ, away from the faith just like the wives of king Solomon.
Christ is my life, my hope, my comfort, my joy, my strength, my security and assurance. I cannot gamble with my soul for the companionship of a woman on this earth. It would kill my spirit to join with someone who doesn't understand or doesn't care about Christ Jesus and His atoning work on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.