"Why divorce? What is needed is not a change of partners, but a change in partners." Family Altar Crusader.
"I hate divorce," says the Lord God of Israel. Malachi 2:16
Once in an interview, Ruth Bell Graham, the wife of evangelist Billy Graham, was asked if in all their years of marriage, through all their trials and tribulations, if she ever considered divorcing her husband. She replied, "Divorce him? No! Killing him? Yes!"
Today the divorce rate among Christians is the same as it is among non-believers. Churches have very different opinions about divorce and whether or not a divorced person can remarry. Some denominations are quite strict about this subject while other denominations pay no heed to it. Is there a balance between the "letter of the law" and the gracious care of people? Are there circumstances today that were not mentioned in the Bible? Let's explore what the Scriptures have to say about this topic. And again, please be honest with your answers while also being considerate of those who have experienced the pain of divorce. Blessings, Pastor Damon
Matthew 5:31-32
Matthew 19:1-12
Romans 7:4-7
Mark 2:23-28
1 Corinthians 7:10-17
Sneak peek at next week - Justifiable anger?
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I think most people would agree that divorce can be warranted in cases of physical or mental abuse, or, as mentioned in the Bible, unfaithfulness. Other cases, like growing apart, should be dealt with through every possible way of finding a solution--counseling, better communication, etc--with divorce as an absolute last resort.
ReplyDeleteAs for remarriage, I think it's okay as long as the new spouse wasn't the reason for the previous marriage ending.
Thanks again for your responses. Sorry this is a day late - it's called Easter-lag! Anyway, too often I have heard the Bible used in a very Pharisaic manner about divorce and remarriage that usuakky starts something like..."Well Jesus said the only reason for divorce was unfaithfulness, so..." But I believe the Bible and consequently Jesus provide more grace than that. Yes there are multiple reasons for divorce, some authentic some not, bt I beleive in a God of grace and forgiveness and I would rather leave the condemnation in His hands than mine. As a pastor I do everything I can to help people avoid divorce through counseling, as the resondent above suggests, and the vast majority of these relationships are redeemed. But not all. And I do believe Scripture allows people to have "another chance" at love when the first try fails. In the end, we should everything possible to redeem relationships while recognizing that occassionally one of the partners involved either cannot or will not participate. We are a sinful people, but we serve a God of second chances.
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