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The Bible Verse That’s Been Misunderstood for Centuries

And How it Shaped Christian Dating Culture

Dan Foster
Backyard Church

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Image source: Canva Pro

Scrolling through Instagram this morning, I came across a video that stopped me in my tracks.

In it, Milicent Sedra, a prominent Australian preacher and influencer, walks alongside her husband, Pastor Martin Sedra, engaging in what could only be described as a parody of a very real question many Christians wrestle with: Can I marry a non-Christian?

I rolled my eyes. Before I even watched the video, I knew exactly what the message would be. Nuance, it seems, is often the first casualty in conversations like these. Sure enough, the video delivered exactly what I expected: a black-and-white proclamation with no room for discussion.

“Martin, can I marry a non-Christian?” Milicent asks with wide-eyed innocence.
“Nope,” he replies curtly.
“But I love him,” she pleads.
“Nope,” he repeats, his tone firm.
“But Martin, he’s a really good guy. He’s very Christlike.”
“Nope.”
“What if I flirt to convert and make him a Christian?”
she tries again, almost desperately.
“Nope. The Bible makes it very clear: Do not be unequally yoked.”

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