Protection Detail
Christopher B. Harbin
Scripture Reference: Mark 10:2-16
All too often our social norms have more to do with protecting the balance of power in our relationships and social hierarchies than we recognize. What things matter to us may lay firmly built in our cultural DNA to the point we don't recognize them or notice what it is we are actually protecting and holding onto. When it comes to measuring our lives against God's will purposes and values we seem to focus on anything other than what meets God's purposes for us. What are we protecting when we hang on tightly to our traditions and norms?
I came across someone this week lamenting the struggle they are having with planning a wedding for herself and her partner. They have been together for a decade but they are now making their relationship official in the eyes of tradition and law. I don't know much of this couple's particular situation but I've seen similar stories. Now they are attempting to reconcile how they understand their relationship with received traditions regarding the important elements of a wedding.
People are often confused when they ask me to perform a "traditional wedding" for them. I have to ask them which tradition they are referencing. I've been present at traditional weddings in Brazil, in Mexico, and in several states around the US. No two of them have been alike. When Karen and I wrote the ceremony for our wedding we started with a minister's manual that listed four different traditions for the liturgy as well as options for dealing with antiquated terms or attempting to give new significance to hold-overs from a different era.
Is the bride being given away? That would indicate that she is property to be given or sold. Does the wedding dress need to be white? That is supposed to indicate her virginity though there is nothing similar in regard to the groom's attire. Need the bride wear a veil? That goes back to arranged marr ...
Christopher B. Harbin
Scripture Reference: Mark 10:2-16
All too often our social norms have more to do with protecting the balance of power in our relationships and social hierarchies than we recognize. What things matter to us may lay firmly built in our cultural DNA to the point we don't recognize them or notice what it is we are actually protecting and holding onto. When it comes to measuring our lives against God's will purposes and values we seem to focus on anything other than what meets God's purposes for us. What are we protecting when we hang on tightly to our traditions and norms?
I came across someone this week lamenting the struggle they are having with planning a wedding for herself and her partner. They have been together for a decade but they are now making their relationship official in the eyes of tradition and law. I don't know much of this couple's particular situation but I've seen similar stories. Now they are attempting to reconcile how they understand their relationship with received traditions regarding the important elements of a wedding.
People are often confused when they ask me to perform a "traditional wedding" for them. I have to ask them which tradition they are referencing. I've been present at traditional weddings in Brazil, in Mexico, and in several states around the US. No two of them have been alike. When Karen and I wrote the ceremony for our wedding we started with a minister's manual that listed four different traditions for the liturgy as well as options for dealing with antiquated terms or attempting to give new significance to hold-overs from a different era.
Is the bride being given away? That would indicate that she is property to be given or sold. Does the wedding dress need to be white? That is supposed to indicate her virginity though there is nothing similar in regard to the groom's attire. Need the bride wear a veil? That goes back to arranged marr ...
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