In Corinthians, Paul clearly states that both the married and celibate life are valid states in which to serve the Lord.
Roman Catholics require priests be celibate. I think that is clearly against the teachings of Scripture, but we Protestants fall off on the other side of the ditch--it is difficult for the unmarried to serve in Protestant churches.
If a single man is applying for a pastorate, we would much prefer that he would be married. If he is over the age of 35, it is probably a requirement. A single woman might get put in charge of childcare at a megachurch. We have no monasteries, no convents--where do the Protestant celibates go to serve God? Are there any Protestant celibates?
In Christendom only Eastern Orthodox have found a balance between valuing celibacy and marriage. You can be a priest and be married, but to be a bishop, you must be single.
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That's not a balance. The requirement of being single to be a bishop is every bit as unbiblical as the Catholics requiring priests to be celibate.
I don't know where the celibate's have a place in protestant Christianity, but the problem is not so much the celibateness as the person. Most Christians that I meet who are celibate (and are not widowers, etc.) are just plain weird. That is not to say, however, that all celibate christians are weird. Just that I haven't met one who isn't too weird to be a pastor or whatever.
What? We are neglecting a Scriptural mandate because we think those called to celibacy are weird?
You could have made (and maybe still can) make a similar argument about black people. "I don't think African Americans as a whole are less intelligent than whites, it's just that I've never met one I would want to hire."
Oh, by the way, I'm fine with saying that the Orthodox are incorrect in requiring bishops to be celibate--my point is that they are the only arm of Christendom to have a place for both celibates and married to minister.
Maybe all the "non-weird" celibates are in Orthodoxy and Catholicism.
Maybe, or more likely you're just wrong.
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