Thank God for the unequivocal declaration of the institution of marriage last Friday at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.
At a time when the political classes want homosexuals to be 'married' in church, here were the Dean of Westminster Abbey, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London stating the marriage is the union of one man and one woman.
I don't know whose idea it was to put Elton John and his partner in perversion David Furness on the guest list, but it was a splendid joke to play on them, to make them sit through so much blessing of God's heterosexual intention for mankind.
If you are a representative of the Saudi royal family, the Sultan of somewhere, or a Muslim ambassador, Christian infidels are beneath contempt and a Christian church is not a place you would be seen dead in; unless, that is, you have an invitation from the Queen of England to the wedding of her grandson. Then you go, and grit your teeth at the beauty of the architecture, the solemnity of the occasion, and the countless references to the Lordship of the incarnate, crucified, risen, ascended Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit have begun a work of salvation in them as a result of what they heard and experienced.
The Introit, Parry's 'I was glad' setting of Psalm 122, is also used for the Coronation. It was beautiful to be praying for the peace of Jerusalem before we even started.
The Dean of Westminster Abbey, Dr John Hall, began with the introduction from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer Order for the Solemnisation of Holy Matrimony. Marriage is instituted by God as an honourable estate, to be entered into reverently in the fear of God, he told the watching world.
The vows and the giving and receiving of the ring (only the bride wears a ring according to tradition) were administered by Dr Rowan Williams, who pronounced them man and wife 'In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.' He then blessed them.
James Middleton read Romans 12: 1-2, 9-18 clearly and impeccably. It was not the KJV, but still managed to convey the radical message 'to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect.'
Richard Chartres, Bishop of London, gave a God-centred sermon on marriage (TEXT HERE) which has been carefully analysed HERE. And for the couple themselves to compose a prayer to be read out in which they pray to be of service 'in the Spirit of Jesus Christ', must indicate that something of His Spirit is already at work in this couple upon whose shoulders much in this United Kingdom may yet depend.
Three of the most powerful hymns in the English language added weight to the feeling that a lot of thought had gone into making the whole service a thoroughly Christian celebration. 'Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer' to the tune Cwm Rhondda, Wesley's 'Love Divine, All Loves Excelling' to Blaenwern and finally, William Blake's extraordinary hymn 'Jerusalem' to Parry's music, in which the singers promise not to cease from mental fight until Jerusalem, a code-word for the kingdom of God on earth, is built in these shores.
Last but not least, on Newsnight that night, Kirsty Wark asked Martin Bashir a question about Princess Diana which he ignored and spoke instead about the Christian content of the wedding service, the Bishop's sermon, that every wedding is a royal wedding, the reading, and especially the hymn 'Love Divine, all loves excelling'. Kirsty went into 'moving swiftly on' mode, but I didn't know Martin Bashir had such a faith. We found the text of what he said on THIS BLOG (it is blogged by a father who has lost his son through divorce).
In all, a day of rather uplifting surprises.
May God bless the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with His presence, with increase, and with a deepening faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. A born-again king of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - that really is something to pray for.
Yes, it was really a christian wedding like you point out very weighty. I pay that they willtrulu be all God has for them. We must all continue to pray for them.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is. Stephen Green, so glad you posted this, I have been feeling very depressed, because of current events, and some days I feel like my heart is going to0 nbreak. Thank you so much for posting this.
ReplyDeleteSad though that the marriage was overseen by the Arch Druid who wore a gown with a cobra on the back ( a hint maybe?) Sad too that the couple lived in sin before the marriage. Even sadder was the fact that the "church" had the most mega chance EVER to preach the gospel to the unsaved world. Not impressed with the church to be honest.
ReplyDeleteSo it's a 'could do better', Laurian? But as we are always pointing out the bad stuff, it's good to celebrate something good, isn't it? BTW, I don't think calling Dr Williams names like that is as generous as I am sure you would like to be.
ReplyDeleteYes it was a Christian service but the bride and groom have been living in sin for years. Do you think that this is going to change them into Christians just because they got married in a cathedral? Do they go to church every Sunday? Do they pray and read their Bible? Yes it was a beautiful day and the bride looked radiant etc etc but let's not forget they are sinners needing to be saved. Prayerfully I do hope that this changes them and Charles and Andrew and and and.......
ReplyDeleteHey, Sheena, don't you believe in the grace of God? People can be transformed by the power of the Gospel! And there are many going to church and reading their Bibles who are not remotely 'washed in the blood'. Yes, their history is less than good, but mine was no better. When I think of what I did before I was saved I am ashamed. It is surely encouraging that TRHs composed a prayer for the day, and our best response, IMHO, is to pray for them and for those who will have the opportunity and responsibility to minister to them.
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