Wedding Rings ?
Q: Is it proper for a Christian to wear a wedding ring?
A:Many sincere Christians have asked this question out of a desire to
avoid any custom of which God might disapprove. Some of the
questioners know that Catholic prelate John H. Newman wrote: "The use
of temples, and these dedicated to particular saints, . . . sacerdotal
vestments, the tonsure, the ring in marriage, turning to the East,
images at a later date, perhaps the ecclesiastical chant, and the
Kyrie Eleison, are all of pagan origin, and sanctified by their
adoption into the Church." (An Essay on the Development of the
Christian Doctrine, 1878) While the facts prove that many of the
current religious practices Newman lists definitely were adopted from
pagan worship, is that true of the wedding ring?
Actually there are conflicting ideas as to the origin of the wedding
ring. Let us give a few examples: "Originally . . . the ring was a
fetter, used to bind the captive bride." (For Richer, for Poorer) "The
ring is a relatively modern substitute for the gold coin or other
article of value with which a man literally purchased his wife from
her father." (The Jewish Wedding Book) "The wedding ring is supposed
to be of Roman origin, and to have sprung from the ancient custom of
using rings in making agreements." (American Cyclopædia) "Various
explanations have been given of the connection of the ring with
marriage. It would appear that wedding-rings were worn by the Jews
prior to Christian times."-The International Cyclopaedia.
It is thus seen that the precise origin of the wedding ring is
uncertain. Even if it were a fact that pagans first used wedding
rings, would that rule such out for Christians? Not necessarily. Many
of today's articles of clothing and aspects of life originated in
pagan lands. The present time divisions of hours, minutes and seconds
are based on an early Babylonian system. Yet, there is no objection to
a Christian's using these time divisions, for one's doing so does not
involve carrying on false religious practices.
Of course, our concern is greater as regards the use of wedding rings,
since this relates, not to minor secular matters, but to the marriage
relationship, which the Christian rightly views as sacred before God.
Really, the question is not so much whether wedding rings were first
used by pagans but whether they were originally used as part of false
religious practices and still retain such religious significance. As
has been shown, the historical evidence does not allow for any
definite conclusion on this. What does the Bible say about the use of
rings?
The Bible shows that some of God's servants in the past wore rings,
even ones that had special meaning attached to them. Wearing a signet
ring could indicate that one had received authority to act in behalf
of the ruler who owned it. (Gen. 41:42; Num. 31:50; Esther 8:2, 8; Job
42:11, 12; Luke 15:22) So, while wedding rings are not mentioned,
these true worshipers clearly did not scruple against using rings for
more than mere adornment.
Some persons say that a wedding ring represents one's unending love
and devotion in marriage. The increasing divorce rate in many lands
where married persons usually wear a wedding ring proves that this
meaning is more imagined than real. Nonetheless, for the majority of
persons, including Christians, in lands where wedding rings are
common, the ring is an outward indication that the wearer is a married
person. In other localities the same point is shown in a different
way, such as by a woman's wearing a certain style of clothing.
Of course, a wedding ring is by no means a Christian requirement. One
Christian might decide not to wear a wedding ring, because of
conscience, personal taste, cost, local custom, or some other reason.
Yet another Christian might decide to indicate his married status by
means of a wedding ring. Hence, in the final analysis the decision is
a personal one, to be made in accord with the conscientious views one
holds.
The only good argument I've heard on this topic is to the person who says beans
are