Anderson Ruffin - The Reasonability of Marriage In A Changing World

Marriage has changed in many ways and has caused a shift toward a worldly interpretation, having lost its spiritual values. Its like sugar that has lost its sweetness, and like music without good-sounding harmony.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am grateful to my family and friends for giving ideas which enabled the origination of this book, and the understanding during the time of research and writing. I thank those who shared their time, emotions, and knowledge with me because they believed doing so would make a difference. Their input, support, and interest kept me going. I appreciate and acknowledge their contributions and support.

Special thanks to all who inspired me along the journey. Dr. Charles L. Lett and Dr. Aaron Dobynes (fathers in the ministry), Dr. Liz Cotton and Dr. Allam Baaheth Mentors), Robert C. Hudson (ministry/teacher), Carolyn Flanagan Ruffin (wife), Tyra, Taylor, Andrell and Thanya Ruffin (son and family), Arissa Ruffin (daughter), Jeff Ruffin (brother), Julia Ruffin (sister-in-law), Frank Ruffin (uncle), Clementine and Joe Johnson (friend and cousin), Kaitlyn Dyson, Jennifer and Eddy Dyson (family friends).

They willingly sacrificed their time, contributed resources, intelligence, patience, encouragement, and motivation during the challenging times of engagement in the writing of this book: All these beautiful people shared my desire to pass knowledge and wisdom to the present generation and especially to my granddaughters.

The sacrifices and offering of prayers enabled me to complete this book to Gods glory and for the advancement of His Kingdom. My intention in drafting this book is to pass on the blessings of a godly marriage. To God be all praises and glory for giving me the strength and patience to complete this book.

INTRODUCTION

Society once based its actions on Christian absolute values built on biblical principles. Christian absolutes are those truths and standards of Scriptures which cannot change. They are becoming less affirmative and less practical in the world today. We have marginalized (if not outlawed) Christianity in public places. Society now bases its beliefs on relative moralities that are designed to alter some values and have decided to accept that a person can do what he or she likes and is answerable to only themselves.

Most people knew what was right and wrong. Some behaviors were sinful. In recent years, more and more people are rejecting God and have come to the recognition of barring Him from society. Not only have some people attempted to get rid of God, but they have also eliminated God from their consciences by changing Christian absolutes.

Covenant marriage has been the central figure in the existence of humanity. The creation of the institution of marriage is from God. Any humanistic attempts to destroy marriage will immediately fail in any effort to depart from the original plan of God.

Major cultural shifts are occurring in every arena of life (music, philosophy, art, education, technology, entertainment, business, government, religion, spirituality, etc.). Were living in a post-national, post-rational, post-literal, post-scientific, post-technological, post-sexual, post-racial, post-human, post-traumatic, post-therapeutic, post-ethical, post-institutional, and a post-Christian era.

In public places, Christian symbols, the Bible, prayer in public school have been removed, and laws on same-sex marriage have been passed to give constitutional rights in an area once considered taboo, unthinkable, and ridiculous. Currently, we are changing the foundation of Gods word to meet mans licentious desires through the government, the courts, and the education system. The goal is to invade the Church and tear down old traditional practices of moral ethics

The unbelievers have compromised Gods word on covenant marriage, and it has become unethical. The gates of hell will never prevail against covenant marriage. Peters confession of Christ reveals, And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Matt. 16:1719). The gates of hell will never prevail against the Church and covenant marriage.

Satan is attacking the sanity of covenant marriage more than any other institution in society. Satan is trying to get us to toss out Gods plan for marriage, from the beginning, and incorporates mans desirable appetite for engineering new truthful absolutes. Satan has kidnapped humanity in principle and is holding us hostage. Gods final answer to this saga will be judgment and destruction like in the days of Noah.

Jesus came down to a devilish world to die for the sins of humanity and to restore Gods moral foundation to avoid such a catastrophe. Humanity must become yet again ethical, consecrated, sanctified, and holy. We must get Gods plan of covenant marriage back in control and restored to its place of prominence. Fake president, fake lawyers, fake news, counterfeit churches, and phony marriages shall pass away. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away (Matt. 24:35). Gods plan for marriage will never pass away.

Many are questioning, how do you know Bible principles on marriage are true? Did marriage come from God? If so, why did He create it? How do you know that God exists? Why cant I have my view of marriage? The Bible is an account of Gods historical truths concerning the meaning of marriage. Nowhere does it support same-sex marriage to animals, and things like cars. Gods plan for marriage is between a male and a female. God is the author of marriage established in Genesis. The LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. Adam said, this is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Therefore, shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed (Gen. 2:2125). The Bible contains Gods clarification of covenant marriage when we have strayed away from the normal. Same-sex marriage is just the words of men but not the word of God.

Marriage has changed in many ways and shifted toward a worldly interpretation and has lost its spiritual values, and its like sugar that has lost its sweetness, and like music without good-sounding harmony. It is vital that the institution of marriage reestablish its claim on Gods authoritative approach. The same bees no longer make the honey.

Humanity has become double-minded about marriage. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8) Christians are warned not to compromise with the world on principles. A society that is double-minded will carry a heavy burden of the gravity of sin and will cause them to become blunted toward the distresses, pain, and sufferings. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do, and the God of peace shall be with you (Phil. 4:89). The patterns of our lives are set in remembering the Creator all the days of your marriage.