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]

@Zzyzx

Why do you attribute your words to me and mine to you? See post #(50)/ Pretty dishonest? I'm sure it was a mistake.

Quantrill

[Zzyzx]

Why do you attribute your words to me and mine to you? See post #(50)/ Pretty dishonest? I'm sure it was a mistake.

Yes, that was a formatting mistake -- an extra [/quote].

Thanks. I have corrected it.

[Quantrill]

That may be more appropriate for Holy Huddle or Theology, Doctrine and Dogma sub-forums. In C&A 'what the Bible says' is no more authoritative than any other book.

The truth and accuracy of 'what the Bible says' IS open for debate here – and WILL be challenged. Those who refuse to 'verify' the claims and stories they present are not abiding by C&A Guidelines (shame on them for sinning).

Sorry, but to the Christian, sinning is done against God. Not a forum. And, I have abided by C & A guidelines. The question, which this thread is based upon, is "Why is divorce not an option for Christians". Thus the answer involves what the Bible says. It doesn't involve proving or verifying the Bible as the Word of God. It involves the 'why' for Christians.

If you want to change the subject to 'why should the Christian obey what the Bible says about divorce' go ahead and start another.

With you, and so many others like you, any topic touching on God, Christ, and the Bible, is just an opportunity to discredit or mock the Bible, God, and Christ. But you should pay attention to the original topic.

Quantrill

[Zzyzx]

.

With you, and so many others like you, any topic touching on God, Christ, and the Bible, is just an opportunity to discredit or mock the Bible, God, and Christ.

"So many others like me"? What, exactly, does that mean?

Many who debate here have no reverence for the Bible or its characters. Did you expect, on a public debate forum, to be surrounded by fellow believers with no opposition views expressed?

Again, Holy Huddle sub-forum may be more comfortable for those who wish to preach to one another about their god beliefs.

[Clownboat]

That may be more appropriate for Holy Huddle or Theology, Doctrine and Dogma sub-forums. In C&A 'what the Bible says' is no more authoritative than any other book.

The truth and accuracy of 'what the Bible says' IS open for debate here – and WILL be challenged. Those who refuse to 'verify' the claims and stories they present are not abiding by C&A Guidelines (shame on them for sinning).

Sorry, but to the Christian, sinning is done against God. Not a forum.

He is likely pointing to the fact that here on this debate forum, it is the claimed Christians that have the hardest time following the rules that we all agreed to upon joining. This can be verified in the 'Probabtion' forum.

Makes it seem as though they are less honorable when compared to atheists that debate here when you would think the opposite should be true if they really had a god on their side. When I was a Christian, I know that thinking I had a god on my side helped me to cope with my intolerence for homosexuals and Muslims to name a couple.

With you, and so many others like you, any topic touching on God, Christ, and the Bible, is just an opportunity to discredit or mock the Bible, God, and Christ.

Wow! Poison the well much.

To the OP: Divorce is not an option if we look to Mark.
Mark 10:9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.
Mark 10:11 He (Jesus) answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.
If you don't like what Jesus says, just reference other parts of the Bible and ignore what is claimed in Mark that Jesus said.

[Quantrill]

.
"So many others like me"? What, exactly, does that mean?

Many who debate here have no reverence for the Bible or its characters. Did you expect, on a public debate forum, to be surrounded by fellow believers with no opposition views expressed?

Again, Holy Huddle sub-forum may be more comfortable for those who wish to preach to one another about their god beliefs.

Means exactly what it says.

Pay attention. I don't care if you have no reverence for the Bible. My point was that it doesn't matter the subject to you and others like you. If God, Christ, or the Bible is in it, then you immediately set out to mock or discredit. Concerning this subject matter, it is not a question of 'is the Bible true or not'.

Quantrill

[Zzyzx]

"So many others like me"? What, exactly, does that mean?

Means exactly what it says.

It says nothing at all (but suggests disapproval).

Pay attention. I don't care if you have no reverence for the Bible. My point was that it doesn't matter the subject to you and others like you. If God, Christ, or the Bible is in it, then you immediately set out to mock or discredit. Concerning this subject matter, it is not a question of 'is the Bible true or not'.

Try to contain your emotions and debate the topic rather than ranting at other members.

The Bible is NOT immune from criticism in this sub-forum. Again, Holy Huddle, might be more comfortable for those who become irate when the Bible is criticized.

[Quantrill]

He is likely pointing to the fact that here on this debate forum, it is the claimed Christians that have the hardest time following the rules that we all agreed to upon joining. This can be verified in the 'Probabtion' forum.

Makes it seem as though they are less honorable when compared to atheists that debate here when you would think the opposite should be true if they really had a god on their side. When I was a Christian, I know that thinking I had a god on my side helped me to cope with my intolerence for homosexuals and Muslims to name a couple.

Wow! Poison the well much.

To the OP: Divorce is not an option if we look to Mark.
Mark 10:9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.
Mark 10:11 He (Jesus) answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.
If you don't like what Jesus says, just reference other parts of the Bible and ignore what is claimed in Mark that Jesus said.

First of all, Christ is addressing the Pharisees in (Mark 10:1-9). (Mark 10:9) doesn't say divorce is not an option. Jesus Christ already acknowledged that divorce had been granted by God though Moses. (Mark. 10:3-5) (Deut. 24:1-4) But, though it was allowed, it was not the best way as Christ stated in (Mark 10:6). The best way was "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder". And, this is true.

Second of all, Christ is addressing his disciples in (Mark 10:10-12). And just as He has said Moses allowed Israel to divorce due to their hardness of heart, yet it wasn't always so. He tells and expects of His people not to divorce. He then says if you do divorce your spouse, and you marry another, then you are guilty of adultery.

Third of all, you must remember that the Mosaic Law is still in place. All that Christ is saying to both Pharisees and disciples, is to a people under the law. Christianity does not exist at this time. Just because (Matt.), (Mark), (Luke), are in the New Testament, doesn't mean they are on New Testament ground. They are not. It is Old Testament. And in (Matt. 5:31-32) where Christ limits the only cause for divorce to be fornication, Christ is speaking of the laws of the Kingdom to come. The whole Sermon on the Mount was about the laws of the Kingdom. And they will be more strict than the laws of Moses. This is not Christianity either. The Kingdom to come would be when Christ rules in Jerusalem over a repentant Israel and over the world. Christians can of course make application of these laws to themselves. But they are not laws that we are under.

Fourth of all, the Christian view of marriage and divorce should be taken from the New Testament epistles especially (1 Cor. 7:1-16).

Quantrill

[Clownboat]

He is likely pointing to the fact that here on this debate forum, it is the claimed Christians that have the hardest time following the rules that we all agreed to upon joining. This can be verified in the 'Probabtion' forum.

Makes it seem as though they are less honorable when compared to atheists that debate here when you would think the opposite should be true if they really had a god on their side. When I was a Christian, I know that thinking I had a god on my side helped me to cope with my intolerence for homosexuals and Muslims to name a couple.

Wow! Poison the well much.

To the OP: Divorce is not an option if we look to Mark.
Mark 10:9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.
Mark 10:11 He (Jesus) answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.
If you don't like what Jesus says, just reference other parts of the Bible and ignore what is claimed in Mark that Jesus said.

First of all, Christ is addressing the Pharisees in (Mark 10:1-9). (Mark 10:9) doesn't say divorce is not an option. Jesus Christ already acknowledged that divorce had been granted by God though Moses. (Mark. 10:3-5) (Deut. 24:1-4) But, though it was allowed, it was not the best way as Christ stated in (Mark 10:6). The best way was "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder". And, this is true.

Second of all, Christ is addressing his disciples in (Mark 10:10-12). And just as He has said Moses allowed Israel to divorce due to their hardness of heart, yet it wasn't always so. He tells and expects of His people not to divorce. He then says if you do divorce your spouse, and you marry another, then you are guilty of adultery.

Third of all, you must remember that the Mosaic Law is still in place. All that Christ is saying to both Pharisees and disciples, is to a people under the law. Christianity does not exist at this time. Just because (Matt.), (Mark), (Luke), are in the New Testament, doesn't mean they are on New Testament ground. They are not. It is Old Testament. And in (Matt. 5:31-32) where Christ limits the only cause for divorce to be fornication, Christ is speaking of the laws of the Kingdom to come. The whole Sermon on the Mount was about the laws of the Kingdom. And they will be more strict than the laws of Moses. This is not Christianity either. The Kingdom to come would be when Christ rules in Jerusalem over a repentant Israel and over the world. Christians can of course make application of these laws to themselves. But they are not laws that we are under.

Fourth of all, the Christian view of marriage and divorce should be taken from the New Testament epistles especially (1 Cor. 7:1-16).

Quantrill

Well, call me a prophet!
"If you don't like what Jesus says, just reference other parts of the Bible and ignore what is claimed in Mark that Jesus said."

All of a sudden, "what God has joined together, let no one separate" and "anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her" is ignored. We can make the Bible say just about anything we want. This seems to be an example of just that happening here.

Here is what Jesus said in Mark 10: 3-5
4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”
5 “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied.

Reading this, should a Christian heed the words of Moses or Jesus when it comes to divorce?
Should we really read it as?: What God has joined together, let no one separate. Except for in cases reported elsewhere in the Bible by another author. Then it is ok to separate what God has joined together.

'Let no one separate' reads pretty clearly to me.

[Quantrill]

Well, call me a prophet!
"If you don't like what Jesus says, just reference other parts of the Bible and ignore what is claimed in Mark that Jesus said."

All of a sudden, "what God has joined together, let no one separate" and "anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her" is ignored. We can make the Bible say just about anything we want. This seems to be an example of just that happening here.

Here is what Jesus said in Mark 10: 3-5
4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”
5 “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied.

Reading this, should a Christian heed the words of Moses or Jesus when it comes to divorce?
Should we really read it as?: What God has joined together, let no one separate. Except for in cases reported elsewhere in the Bible by another author. Then it is ok to separate what God has joined together.

'Let no one separate' reads pretty clearly to me.

How can you be a prophet. I never said I didn't like what Jesus said. I simply explained what Jesus said.

And, I explained that Christianity wasn't existent at that time. The Christian should heed the words of the epistles that were written for the Church. As I said, especially (1 Cor. 7:1-16). Much of what Christ said in (Mark) is still applied to the Christian. But some other things are added.

You don't take one verse out of the Bible and create a doctrine on it. You take all that is said concerning a subject observing who is speaking, who is being spoken to, and the context of the subject.

You're free to read it any way you like.

Quantrill