Why is divorce not an option for Christians?

[arunangelo]

In marriage, spouses leave their parents and unite with each other (Mark 10:7) to become one flesh (Gen.2: 24). Because, it is a covenant of love, and God is love (1 John4:8), it is God who seals the marriage covenant; and no one can separate what God has joined together (Matt 19:6). In divorce, therefore, this covenant is not broken; it is rejected. Therefore, remarriage after divorce is adultery (Luke 16:18). Furthermore, since God seals this covenant, divorce is rejection of God. God, therefore, hates divorce (Malachi 2:16) and is not pleased with the offerings of those who divorce their spouse (Malachi 2: 13-14). Jesus tells us that before making offering to God, we must reconcile with those with whom we have grievances (Matt. 5: 23-24). Therefore, a divorced person must first reconcile with his/her spouse before making an offering to the Lord. Furthermore, even if there is unfaithfulness a person must still stay faith to his/her spouse, just as God His faithful to us even when we reject Him (Hosea 3:1).

Divorce is absolutely prohibited in the Gospels (Mk 10:11-12, Luke 6:18; Matthew 5: 31-32). In Matthew’s gospel there appears to be an exception. The exception in the Greek text is porneia (which means incest or fornication), and not moiceia (which means adultery). In the Mosaic Law (Lv 18:6-18) certain types of marriages between close relatives were unlawful, because, they were regarded as incest (porneia). Certain rabbis, however, allowed gentile converts to Judaism to remain in such marriages. The exemption in Matthew’s gospel is against such permissiveness for gentile converts to Christianity. Fornication is another meaning for porneia. Therefore, this exception also applies to couples who fornicate by living together without a lawful marriage (also known as common law marriages).

surrendersacrifice
webs site: surrendersacrifice.com

[Quantrill]

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YES. Point fingers at each other and yell 'FAKE'. I agree – no exceptions.

Of course each finger pointer thinks THEY are the exception, the REAL Christians – it is just others who are fake. But THEY just happen to have chosen the right 'god' among thousands proposed and the right religion among tens of thousands. Fat chance.

What a hoot. All reading versions of the same ancient book, totally convinced they read better than everyone else, and they (only they) have found 'the one true path to salvation' (after they die).

However, when counting noses to brag about being the world's largest religion, they count every cult, sect, splinter group, and denomination (and the dog under the porch).

It might be illuminating to Google “No true Scotsman” blunder in logic.


When a vehicle has a major malfunction it is usually desirable to consult a trained mechanic familiar with the vehicle rather than relying on what friends and fellow church members think is wrong (or looking for solutions in ancient literature).

Well, that is the way it is. Not everything or everyone going under the name 'Christian' is Christian. That doesn't mean their isn't the real thing. It just means there is plenty of counterfeit's.

Christianity has no major malfunction. It is quite capable of dealing with it's peoples problems. And the world's counsel is of no value to it.

Quantrill

[Zzyzx]

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Well, that is the way it is. Not everything or everyone going under the name 'Christian' is Christian. That doesn't mean their isn't the real thing.

Who is authorized / empowered to decide what constitutes 'the real thing' in Christianity? By whom were they appointed?

It just means there is plenty of counterfeit's.

I agree. However, some seem to claim they are genuine – REAL Christians -- but cannot show that is any more than opinion and self-aggrandizement.

Christianity has no major malfunction.

Of course not – just tens of thousands of different splinter groups each claiming to know 'the one true path to salvation' while dissing competing splinter groups as being counterfeit.

It is quite capable of dealing with it's peoples problems. And the world's counsel is of no value to it.

Of course, preachers and pew warmers are more capable than trained professionals. Don't listen to 'the world', just talk to your preacher and pray harder (and women submit to your husband because 'God said so').

[Tcg]

Christianity has no major malfunction.

This is clearly not true:

• The sin of silence
  The epidemic of denial about sexual abuse in the evangelical church
  
  Across the United States, evangelical churches are failing to protect victims of sexual abuse among their members. As the #MeToo movement has swept into communities of faith, several high-profile leaders have fallen: Paige Patterson, the president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, was forced into early retirement this month after reports that he’d told a rape victim to forgive her assailant rather than call the police. Illinois megachurch pastor Bill Hybels similarly retired early after several women said he’d dispensed lewd comments, unwanted kisses and invitations to hotel rooms.
  
  So many Christian churches in the United States do so much good — nourishing the soul, comforting the sick, providing services, counseling congregants, teaching Jesus’s example, and even working to fight sexual abuse and harassment. But like in any community of faith, there is also sin — often silenced, ignored and denied — and it is much more common than many want to believe. It has often led to failures by evangelicals to report sexual abuse, respond appropriately to victims and change the institutional cultures that enabled the abuse in the first place.
  
  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/pos ... al-church/

Tcg

[RJG]

The Christian church in the USA seems to have a very bad reputation, from what I hear. Those TV evangelists are scam merchants who take the gullible for ride, the evil so and sos.

[Quantrill]

@Zzyzx (concerning your quote 3 posts above)

Every Christian has the Word of God and the Bible. And every Christian has the Holy Spirit. Thus he can be assured that he has the real thing.

Show to who? You? That is not necessary.

Many various denominations are not a problem or a malfunction. They ensure that the believers are studying the Scripture to find out what is correct. They can disagree in many areas, but then there are those that they must agree.

Well, yes. Concerning divorce that is what the Christian should do.

Quantrill

[Quantrill]

This is clearly not true:

• The sin of silence
  The epidemic of denial about sexual abuse in the evangelical church
  
  Across the United States, evangelical churches are failing to protect victims of sexual abuse among their members. As the #MeToo movement has swept into communities of faith, several high-profile leaders have fallen: Paige Patterson, the president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, was forced into early retirement this month after reports that he’d told a rape victim to forgive her assailant rather than call the police. Illinois megachurch pastor Bill Hybels similarly retired early after several women said he’d dispensed lewd comments, unwanted kisses and invitations to hotel rooms.
  
  So many Christian churches in the United States do so much good — nourishing the soul, comforting the sick, providing services, counseling congregants, teaching Jesus’s example, and even working to fight sexual abuse and harassment. But like in any community of faith, there is also sin — often silenced, ignored and denied — and it is much more common than many want to believe. It has often led to failures by evangelicals to report sexual abuse, respond appropriately to victims and change the institutional cultures that enabled the abuse in the first place.
  
  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/pos ... al-church/

Tcg

There are sins in the Church. That doesn't constitute a 'malfunction' in Christianity. Christianity carries on declaring the Gospel of Jesus Christ, establishing churches, and meeting and worshiping God and Christ. There will always be sins to deal with in Christianity.

Quantrill

[RJG]

How do god and Jesus atone for their 'sins'. The Biblical god character is more evil than any human, and Jesus was far from perfect.

[Zzyzx]

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Every Christian has the Word of God and the Bible. And every Christian has the Holy Spirit. Thus he can be assured that he has the real thing.

At least they are free to imagine such things.

"Spirit filled" Christians seem to be about average. Before getting 'filled' and pulling up to average were they a total basket case?

[Quantrill]

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At least they are free to imagine such things.

"Spirit filled" Christians seem to be about average. Before getting 'filled' and pulling up to average were they a total basket case?

All Christians have the Holy Spirit. So, your question makes no sense.

Quantrill

[Zzyzx]

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"Spirit filled" Christians seem to be about average. Before getting 'filled' and pulling up to average were they a total basket case?

All Christians have the Holy Spirit.

Grand conjecture / opinion. How can anyone interested verify if that is a truthful and accurate claim?

BTW, regarding Christians who are drug kingpins, murderers, rapists -- do they 'have the holy spirit'?

So, your question makes no sense.

Have all Christians always been Christians?