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2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (ASV) "Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
I am rather surprised that Sproul would vacillate on this matter in regard to this text and suggest that it does not directly apply to marriage. Is not marriage the most profound experiences of fellowship? Is not marriage one of the deepest examples of "communion"? And since a believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit and unbelievers are idolaters and under the power of the Evil One (Belial), how could this text NOT directly govern marriage?

On the basis of this text alone, I would say that no marriage is justified between these two people, i.e., a marriage performed and sanctioned by the Church. Nor is this person who professes to be a believer permitted to marry someone who is an unbeliever or even one who professes to be a believer but whose testimony is suspect. A sin has been committed and although there is full forgiveness available to the believer, there are temporal consequences which may result. (cf. King David and his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah) There is no room here, IMHO, for "Situation Ethics" nor pragmatism. The Scripture is clear.... no believer is to join with an unbeliever, especially in a relationship which exemplifies Christ's intimate union with the Church.

In His grace,

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simul iustus et peccator

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