Dear Editor,
I have been following the progress of Living in Love and Faith (LLF) through en’s reporting, and have been encouraged by recent correspondence regarding singleness in the church. However, I suspect we need to broaden our arguments and fine-tune our witness when dealing with those who think and feel differently.
Everyone wants to believe something true and beautiful. The gospel is undoubtedly true and beautiful. But the question strikes me: is the church demonstrating how a true single, celibate life can be beautiful?
I suspect many people find it easier to twist the truth of the Bible’s teaching on marriage than see the beauty in a single life. Many of the strongest objections to Biblical marriage come not from Biblical reasoning, but from loved ones seemingly finding greater happiness and belonging in a same-sex relationship than living a single life in the church family. I doubt this is helped by a church culture that overvalues marriage (and even dating) and holds singleness in low regard (whether intentional or not).
If we are going to resist the spread of unbiblical marriage within the church and wider society, it’s vital we show people that singleness is a beautiful way of living within God’s world. The apostle Paul does not struggle with this concept, and writes deeply on the value of singleness and the ultimate purpose of earthly marriage. As ever, the solution is to follow the Bible’s teaching more deeply in our love and care for each other as we navigate life together in our church families.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Carter, By email
