The roles of the state and church, although important, are external to the troth relationship itself. In more recent times by means of a marriage license (and bill of divorce) the state, concerned to safeguard marriage, simply acknowledges the life (or death) of a marriage. If a couple are in Christ, they seek the blessing and support of the cultic worship community. A minister does not marry the couple; he only acknowledges that in their vowed promise God marries them. A wedding ceremony is the rite by which a couple, seeking support and sharing joy, publicly pledge their troth in the presence of God, friends, family, church, state, and enter marriage.
James H. Olthus, Wycliffe Dictionary of Christian Ethics, Carl F.H. Henry editor, pg.408-409.
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