BobVigneault
Bawberator
I'm troubled by the language that we use when speaking of divorce. The words 'permit' and 'allow' are often used though I don't see that language in scripture. Feel free to correct me but here is my take on the topic.
I was recently asked “Why and when do church people encourage divorce?” Yes, 'encourage' was the word that was used. The answer to that should ALWAYS be NEVER! God hates divorce, the church should hate divorce. The church should never encourage divorce or put it’s approval on it in any way. Jesus made no provision for divorce, neither did Paul and neither should the church. The reason is simple. Marriage is the picture of God’s unbreakable covenant with his church. If the marriage covenant before God is broken then it makes a mockery of the covenant that God has made with His people. As you have stated rightly, ‘what God has joined together let no man separate.’
You will hear folks say that the bible allows for divorce in the case of adultery (or fornication) and abandonment. This is not true, the bible never allows for divorce, period. Divorce is never God’s revealed will. Now, having said that. It is very easy in our culture to get a divorce. Our society has mocked God’s commands at every corner. People get divorced. What do we do with a brother or sister who is the innocent party in a divorce? There is usually an innocent party. Can that person be an elder or serve in the church? Well scripture speaks to these matters. Can that person remarry? Scripture speaks to that question but there can be some different interpretations of the doctrines arrived at. I am not a textual scholar but I do see that much smarter men of God disagree on these important questions. John Piper and John McCarthur are both fabulous preachers who come down on very different sides of this issue.
My leanings in these matters are that divorce is never allowed in scripture but we must deal with the fact that divorces take place and we must ultimately work toward the redemption and salvation of those involved and victimized by the hardness of man’s heart.
I will happily accept feedback because I hear this question too frequently.
I was recently asked “Why and when do church people encourage divorce?” Yes, 'encourage' was the word that was used. The answer to that should ALWAYS be NEVER! God hates divorce, the church should hate divorce. The church should never encourage divorce or put it’s approval on it in any way. Jesus made no provision for divorce, neither did Paul and neither should the church. The reason is simple. Marriage is the picture of God’s unbreakable covenant with his church. If the marriage covenant before God is broken then it makes a mockery of the covenant that God has made with His people. As you have stated rightly, ‘what God has joined together let no man separate.’
You will hear folks say that the bible allows for divorce in the case of adultery (or fornication) and abandonment. This is not true, the bible never allows for divorce, period. Divorce is never God’s revealed will. Now, having said that. It is very easy in our culture to get a divorce. Our society has mocked God’s commands at every corner. People get divorced. What do we do with a brother or sister who is the innocent party in a divorce? There is usually an innocent party. Can that person be an elder or serve in the church? Well scripture speaks to these matters. Can that person remarry? Scripture speaks to that question but there can be some different interpretations of the doctrines arrived at. I am not a textual scholar but I do see that much smarter men of God disagree on these important questions. John Piper and John McCarthur are both fabulous preachers who come down on very different sides of this issue.
My leanings in these matters are that divorce is never allowed in scripture but we must deal with the fact that divorces take place and we must ultimately work toward the redemption and salvation of those involved and victimized by the hardness of man’s heart.
I will happily accept feedback because I hear this question too frequently.