tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10905506.post7744405704939781113..comments2023-05-24T11:46:22.159-04:00Comments on Voice of Grace: Checking in, new blog...julhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15688008902332240637noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10905506.post-74323583639694594882007-10-03T00:51:00.000-04:002007-10-03T00:51:00.000-04:00vowing to do all kinds of things perfectly even th...<I>vowing to do all kinds of things perfectly even though we know it'll never happen that way?</I><BR/><BR/>I don't think it makes sense to craft wedding vows so as to demand or even approach perfection. I think that the traditional wedding vows - to love/comfort/honor/keep, in sickness/health/sadness/joy, for better/worse/richer/poorer, to cherish in devotion, forsaking all others - while these are quite beautiful, and while they resonate deeply with us, if you look closely at what's being 'vowed' here, it's hardly perfection! More like the bare minimum of what anyone would truly want to call a marriage. Any marriage where the spouses are unable to live up to <I>those</I> vows...wow. <BR/><BR/>The problem of legalism (where someone claims biblical authority to lay an obligation of law upon others) does not impugn the concept of a freely-taken vow. Pledging oneself to another for life in wedding vows is an act of selfless love and a statement of good will, good intent, good faith. This is not comparable with trying to impose one's legalistic peeves upon others using baseless, quasi-biblical justifications. <BR/><BR/>But OK. Maybe I've just got a soft spot for the vows!dogimohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01278980067086209626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10905506.post-62828119048655194622007-09-25T09:47:00.000-04:002007-09-25T09:47:00.000-04:00I think we need to remember that keeping ANY sort ...I think we need to remember that keeping ANY sort of vow is only by God's grace, much less a wedding vow. I personally love wedding vows, especially when done right. If the couple start upon the premise of vowing everything only by the strength and grace of God, it can't be legalistic. It only gets legalistic when God's grace is not in the picture.janellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03562513623973041847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10905506.post-52376898703544177862007-09-24T08:06:00.000-04:002007-09-24T08:06:00.000-04:00I am right there with you on the vows question? Ou...I am right there with you on the vows question? Our pastor actually encouraged us not to make them too elaborate or extensive, just super simple and basic, did we listen? Now I wish I could throw them out the window, ha and start over, oh well, just another list of rules to keep! :)lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01495924200222561417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10905506.post-90253245672985982202007-09-23T21:27:00.000-04:002007-09-23T21:27:00.000-04:00Jul, you said:"Do you think we start out with a le...Jul, you said:<BR/><I>"Do you think we start out with a legalistic mindset in marriage vowing to do all kinds of things perfectly even though we know it'll never happen that way? Should we be making promises of perfection to the one who will know our faults and shortcomings better than anyone else on earth?"</I><BR/><BR/>That is a fascinating statement! Do you any ideas about an alternative? That could be the start of a very interesting discusssion.SLWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04260137021205685080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10905506.post-37510770888164012572007-09-23T08:57:00.000-04:002007-09-23T08:57:00.000-04:00Yes me too. Couldn't agree more. I think we have...Yes me too. Couldn't agree more. I think we have to stop feeling guilty at feeling angry. Or in other words stop feeling legalistic about being angry at being legalistic! Because it isn't the legalistic people we are angry at (although sometimes it can be) it is the legalism itself and how easily it slots into Christian life with such ease and such welcome.<BR/><BR/>I read an interesting quote in a book last night called "Restoring the Kingdom" by Andrew Walker. He was talking about shepherding/discipling and he said this;<BR/><BR/>"The more insecure leaders are, the more they will invoke heaven's backing for the advice they are giving".<BR/><BR/>Makes you think doesn't it!Dan Bowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15661120561123767936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10905506.post-61449326015236656352007-09-22T23:21:00.000-04:002007-09-22T23:21:00.000-04:00I tell you, it's so good to hear your anger at leg...I tell you, it's so good to hear your anger at legalism. I sometimes feel guilty for being very angry and depressed at people who teach even the slightest hint of law. Some of it is my fault though. I'm getting better with just turning a def ear to it. But it really *pee's* me off when people leave me feeling I am under law. I am very stupid and stubborn so I need unlimited amounts of grace.Mattityahuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05549061279827942555noreply@blogger.com