Unequally-yoked Christians?

Christians usually get married to someone from the same church, denomination, or at least faith tradition. A Baptist usually marries a Baptist, a Presbyterian usually marries a Presbyterian, so on and so forth. However, can Christians from different faith traditions get married? For example, can a Baptist and a Presbyterian get married? Would the two of them be “unequally yoked” in their marriage?

The idea of “unequally yoked” comes from 2 Corinthians 6:14, where it is written that we should not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Hence, this does not apply to a marriage between a Baptist spouse and a Presbyterian spouse—as long as both of them believe the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Of course, there might be disagreements certain beliefs and practices, since the Baptist and Presbyterian faith traditions are very different from one another. Yet, this is not a problem that cannot be solved.

The disagreements between husband and wife on non-essential matters of the Christian faith can be solved in very much the same way as any other disagreement. The Bible makes it clear that the husband is the head of the household. So, in terms of how the household should worship God, the family should follow the husband’s spiritual leadership. Now, the wife does not have to give up her convictions! She can retain her convictions and disagreements with her husband—while at the same time humbly submitting to the God-ordained headship of her husband.

When it comes to teaching their children, the parents should focus on teaching them the essential elements of the Christian faith. This will be the same for both parents, since no Christian faith tradition contradicts any essential element of the Christian faith. Later on, when the children grow older, and they ask questions about the non-essential matters of the Christian faith, then it is good to inform them that godly Christians hold different views about this matter—and mummy and daddy also happen to disagree! Mummy believes this, but daddy believes that.

Some people are concerned that this might confuse the children. However, this does not have to be the case. Rather, if this is done rightly, the children will learn from a very young age that

• the Christian world is wider than the four corners of a local church’s building;
• not all Christians believe and practice the exactly same thing, like in a cult;
• ⁠it is alright to disagree on non-essential matters—as long as we do not compromise on the Gospel; and that
• we can love and respect fellow Christians despite our differences and disagreements.

Of course, there will certainly be challenges in a cross-tradition marriage. After all, every marriage has its own set of challenges! Yet, it does not have to be a world-ending problem for your marriage or family just because both spouses disagree on some matters of faith.