Why is the thali not tied for a Pentecostal wedding?

Article

Bible study/ Marriage/BabuMaravoor/19/11/2023

Note: - All the legal marriages and good family life in the world between people of any caste and religion are very precious. But a little study of the pattern for Christians to follow in the Bible

Question:-

Why is the thali not tied for a Pentecostal wedding?

 Introduction

 If we want to understand why Pentecostals do not use thali, we must study what the wedding ceremonies of other countries are, how they were formed in our country, and how they entered the Christian churches.

 Types of Marriages Around the World

Marriage customs vary across cultures, leading to different types of marriages. Some common types of marriages include:

Civil and Religious Marriage:

   In general, there are two types of marriages: civil marriage and religious marriage, with marriages often employing a combination of both

Monogamous Marriage:

   This is the socially sanctioned union of two adults, which is prevalent in many societies

Polygamous Marriage:

   This involves a union with more than two spouses, and it is practiced in some cultures

Interfaith Marriage:

   This type of marriage occurs between individuals of  different religious backgrounds

Common-law Marriage:

    This refers to a union where a couple lives together but has    not undergone a formal ceremony

Same-sex Marriage:

    In some countries, same-sex marriage and civil unions are legally recognized

These are just a few examples of the diverse types of marriages practiced around the world. Each type reflects the unique cultural, religious, and legal norms of the societies in which they occur.

Marriage customs in some countries

Marriage customs vary widely across different cultures and countries, reflecting the diversity of human traditions and rituals. Here are some examples of unique wedding traditions from around the world:

Germany:

     The bride and groom use chainsaws to symbolize their strength in facing challenges in their marriage

China:  In some parts of China, the bride is required to practice crying a month before the ceremony as a traditional ritual

Mexico:

    The tradition of "Las Arras" involves the groom giving the bride 13 gold coins as a symbol of his dedication to her

Ethiopia:

    Marriage in Ethiopia starts with the groom's side sending elders who then request a union between the parties, followed by discussions about dowry

 

Indian customs

Choosing a wedding ceremony should reflect the values and traditions of the couple and add a unique and meaningful touch to their wedding day.

 The tail has a long yellow thread and a golden Pendant representing the Supreme Goddess. However, modern-day brides use gold chains instead of yellow thread. It all depends on the bride's preference. The North Indian version of a mangal sutra usually has a black beaded chain and a gold pendant.

 The Mangala sutra is a sacred necklace worn by a Hindu groom around the bride's neck during the Mangalya Dharanam ceremony, which identifies her as a married woman. The woman continues to wear the mangalsutra as a sign of her marital status. This custom originated in the southern part of India. It is observed by Syrian churches and CSI Nazarenes. It does not exist in all parts of India and is not an integral part of a marriage ceremony

Indian Christian wedding customs (Non-Pentecostal people)

 In the context of Indian Christian weddings, the tying of thali, known as minnu, is an important part of the wedding ceremony. The thali is a leaf-shaped pendant with a cross made of seven beads in the center, which the groom places around the bride's neck. This act symbolizes the constancy of Christian Indian women's marriage.

The thali is a ritual symbol of the exchange of wedding vows in Christian Tamil and Telugu ceremonies, signifying the bond and commitment between husband and wife. But it is a practice not worthy of imitation by Bible-believing people.

What is unique about a Pentecostal wedding?

Pentecostal marriage, according to the Holy Bible

 The Custom of Pentecostal Marriage is a Covenant

 Genesis 2:24: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

 Ephesians 5:22-27: "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it."

 Jeremiah 31:31-32: "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah."

 Malachi 2:14: "Yet ye say, wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant."

Hebrews 13:4: "Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."

These verses emphasize the importance of the marriage covenant, the roles of husbands and wives, and the sanctity of marriage.

 

A marriage covenant is a binding agreement between two people who are getting married. It is a promise to remain committed to each other for life and to love, honor, and cherish each other. The covenant is a sacred bond that is not to be broken, except in certain limited circumstances

In a Christian context, the marital covenant is seen as a promise between a husband and wife that also includes God The Bible has several references to the marriage covenant, emphasizing the importance of the commitment, the roles of husbands and wives, and the sanctity of marriage

The benefits of a covenant marriage include:

 Promotes Security:

   The covenant approach to marriage promotes security, leading to greater emotional intimacy and closer physical intimacy. Knowing that both partners are committed for the long haul creates a sense of safety and authenticity

 

Conflict Resolution:

   Couples in a covenant marriage are likely to handle conflicts better compared to those in a contract marriage. The commitment to the long-term nature of the relationship motivates them to work through marital problems, leading to personal growth and character development

Personal Growth:

   Challenges in a covenant marriage become opportunities for personal growth and character refinement. Couples learn to navigate difficulties and develop valuable skills such as teamwork, compromise, and mutual respect

Strengthening Families:

   Covenant marriages aim to strengthen families by emphasizing the sacred nature of the union and discouraging hasty decisions to divorce. Mandatory premarital and marriage counseling helps couples gain valuable skills and resolve disputes, ultimately keeping families together

Spiritual and Emotional Fulfillment

     Covenant marriage enriches lives and fulfills 

    God’s purpose by mirroring the relationship between Christ and His Church. It fosters security, trust, and sacrifice, grounded in prayer, Scripture, and mutual love, leading to resolution of problems, forgiveness, and drawing near to one another and to Christ

 Security and Comfort:

    For couples opposed to divorce or whose religious 

    doctrine doesn’t allow divorce, covenant marriage

    provides the security and comfort of an (almost) unbreakable promise. The emphasis on counseling and resolving conflicts aligns with their personal or spiritual values  

 The first marriage in Genesis 2:21-24

Genesis 2:21-24 describes the creation of woman from man's rib and the establishment of marriage. This passage says that God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep took one of his ribs and created a woman from it. Adam then acknowledges the woman as "bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh," signifying their union. The passage ends with the statement that a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife and they become one flesh.

The concept of being "one flesh" in marriage is further elaborated in the New Testament, especially Matthew 19:6, where it is emphasized that what God has joined together let no one put asunder. Also, the apostle Paul's epistles such as 1 Corinthians 7 and Ephesians 5:22-33 guide husbands and wives to live according to biblical principles.

Ephesians 5:22-33 deals specifically with the role of husband and wife in marriage. It instructs wives to submit to their husbands as to the Lord, while husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church. This passage emphasizes mutual respect and sacrificial love within the marital relationship, reflecting the unity and equality intended in biblical marriage.

In summary, Genesis 2:21-24 and related passages of the New Testament provide the basic principles for biblical marriage, a covenant that emphasizes unity, mutual respect, and sacrificial love between husband and wife.

 Customs around the world vary across cultures. The Indian Hindu custom of tying the thali is a ceremony that is not supported by the Bible.

 Psalm 105:8

He has remembered His covenant forever,

The word which He commanded to a thousand generations,

Psalm 25;14

The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him,

And He will make them know His covenant.

Exodus 23:32

You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods.

Genesis 9:12

God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations;