My desire isnt to get married, and Im not going to 'die out' because God gives me eternal life, so Im not worried. The things I do now, are for His kingdom and will influence everyone whole lot more than just having my own children.
Well said, we aren't going to die out, we're going to live forever! Praise God!
My Shakers tangent was speaking of a "Singleness Theology" for christians as an whole, as opposed to an individual decision. It's rare to read a "theologian" say NO christian should marry and also have no children. The Shakers is one case their leader did command that. So that's its relevance.
No one should read my comments as an encouragement to marry. Seek God's will for your life, including the question of marriage. Paul makes the argument a single can do more for the Kingdom than a married person for the reason the married person will also want to please their spouse. But Paul did note "because of this present crisis" (I'll get back to that). Is it possible, even Biblical, that some individuals can do more with the support of a spouse? Perhaps. Or perhaps it's part of God's plan that some christians get married and/or have children, even if they "can't do as much".
Let's look at the text 1 Corinthians 7. Was Paul saying all future christians should not marry unless "36 his/her passions are too strong, and he/she feels he/she ought to marry"? Perhaps. But we must note that Paul begins this marriage section writing, "26
Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is." Bible Commentaries suggest two things: One, some historians believe this was the time period of Nero's intense persecutions, and an area famine (1), and christians would have to frequently flee or move, which is more difficult for married/with children. Or two, some theologians suggest Paul was referring to Christ's imminent return (2). (Footnotes at end of post)
actually Paul said maried people will have trouble in the flesh and singles are happier, so, its not really related to any denomination. I heard of churches closing cos people cant afford to maintain their church building, even though couples got married in them. so its not even anything really anything to do with that. Most children dont even go to the churches their parents went to anyway.
Maybe I'm missing it, or you're referring to another text in the Bible, but I don't see where Paul writes or clearly insinuates, "singles are happier". Where are you getting that, and how do you figure?
1 Corinthians 7:28 "... But those who marry will face troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this." If you're referring to this verse, I really don't think it means singles will be happier, and thus, married christians will be less happy. Christ tells us we all will have troubles, and that we all have joy and peace in the Lord. I know you already know this, that Christians find purpose in suffering, and happiness is not exactly a christian goal, rather joy and peace in the Lord regardless of our circumstances, including singleness or marriedness. Rather I think Paul is noting married christians will face unique troubles, likely due to the "present crisis" they were facing.
FOOTNOTES
(1) Barnes' Notes on the Bible: That he by no means meant that this should be a "permanent arrangement" in the church, and of course it cannot be urged as an argument for the monastic system. ... If the Epistle was written about 59 a.d. (see the introduction), it was in the time of Nero; and probably he had already begun to oppress and persecute Christians. At all events, it is evident that the Christians at Corinth were subject to some trials which rendered the cares of the marriage life undesirable.
(2) Ellicott's Commentary: The “impending distress” is that foretold by Christ, Matthew 24:8 et seq. The Apostle regarded the coming of Christ as no distant event, and in the calamities already threatening the Church, such as the famine in the time of Claudius (Acts 11:28), and in the gathering persecutions, he heard the first mutterings of the storm which should burst upon the world before the sign of the Son of Man should appear in the heavens.