Hello,
There is a popular phrase that should be inserted for thoughtful consideration:
Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Although Ignatius was trained by Apostle Paul, he certainly began the slippery slope that led to a few doctrinal problems in church history. He said, for example:
"Wherever the bishop appears, there let the people be; as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful to baptize or give communion without the consent of the bishop. On the other hand, whatever has his approval is pleasing to God. Thus, whatever is done will be safe and valid." — Letter to the Smyrnaeans 8
"Take care to do all things in harmony with God, with the bishop presiding in the place of God, and with the presbyters in the place of the council of the apostles, and with the deacons, who are most dear to me, entrusted with the business of Jesus Christ, who was with the Father from the beginning and is at last made manifest." —Letter to the Magnesians 2, 6:1
"Take note of those who hold heterodox opinions on the grace of Jesus Christ which has come to us, and see how contrary their opinions are to the mind of God. . . . They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, flesh which suffered for our sins and which that Father, in his goodness, raised up again. They who deny the gift of God are perishing in their disputes." — Letter to the Smyrnaeans 6:2–7:1
I will let those quotes stand without comment, but bring them up to suggest that the decline of Biblical Christianity was quite rapid. Therefore, when it is suggested that believers "form their union with the approval of the bishop, that their marriage may be according to God," (Ignatius) we who love God's Holy Writ should run quickly.
This concept is not only unbiblical, but it was developed further by Tertullian when he suggested that not being married in the church was to be considered almost as bad as fornication. Eventually, the Roman Catholic Council of Trent decreed that marriages can only be solemnized in the presence of a priest.
The Protestant Reformation didn't help in this regard. Although they rejected the established Roman Catholic system of marriage, Martin Luther declared marriage to be "a worldly thing . . . that belongs to the realm of government", and a similar opinion was expressed by Calvin." (HISTORY OF MARRIAGE IN WESTERN CIVILIZATION, by Erwin J. Haeberle)
This in effect helped create our strange confused marital system in America, which is not the topic of this post.
The bottom line is simply this, Scripture does not encourage secular involvement with the marital union. Scripture does not encourage church involvement with the marital union. Scripture does not encourage presbyter involvement in the marital union. Cultural Christianity teaches that one of the job decriptions for Bishops/Elders/Pastors, etc... is to be involved with the performance or overseeing of the marriage unions. However, the Bible does not suggest this whatsoever!
This is not to say that leaders in the church are to not provide doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness regarding these areas. Afterall, equipping the saints is the responsbility of church leadership. However, it is to say that control of the marriage is NOT the Church's responsibility. This, IMHO, is moving into a category of legalism.
Much legalism that has taken place in church history has been a result of good men with good intentions, but every attempt to control areas that Scripture does not specifically address in fear of "the negative consequences" of what may take place has created more doctrines and traditions of men.
It should also be said that, in principle, healthy believers are those who are planted in healthy churches where counsel is provided for all those who desire it.
Side Note: The last 50 years there has been more marital counseling, marital retreats, marital teaching, etc... then anytime in the history of the world. Yet, there are more divorces, heartaches, and separations than anytime. Why? Is it because people need more counsel? Obviously not! Is it because people were married within the first few months of knowing each other? A little research will demonstrate that this is not the case. It is a popular notion, however. I know many people who have checked off the boxes of pre-marital counseling, and were married after knowing each other for years, who are divorced today. I also know many people who knew each other days, weeks or months, who stayed married 40, 50 years.
Perhaps the real issue is that people are missing an essential core value - it is a firm value that says "we are in covenant with each other!" "We will not give up!" "We will run the race!" If those being married do not have that, I do not care if you "know" them, whatever that means, for two years or more - that marriage will not last IMHO!
I know I do not post much, but I thought I would share my two cents. May God bless you all!
The men that I am aware of that are qualified and have earned my respect enough to lead such an endeavor are rarely visible, because they are too busy, successfully living life. They speak from experience, when they do speak. We have far too much theorizing from wishful thinkers, for most to submit to qualified leaders. We are largely like Israel during the days of the judges, "every man did that which was right in their own eyes." Human authority will be secondary, at best, to the Word and will of God. If we are not willing to hear God, why should we expect to have a following of human leadership?
