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

[McCulloch]

Are lawful marriages of people who do not know God still sealed by God?
Think through the consequences of your answer with regard to already married or remarried converts to Christianity.

[Darren]

Some people wrote the bible. Some others edited and modified it. People have been poking at it ever since.
People put in the prohibition against divorce, so the only authority you need to have before seeking a divorce is yours, and gods. No priest, rabbi or mullah can say what god wants better than god can.
That is my best hack at looking at the subject from a christian perspective.

[rusty]

Please try to understand this: Divorce should be unneeded in a Christian marriage. If both spouses are walking toward God doing things that earn the respect of the other, then why should there be a need for a divorce?

The Christian husband builds up his wife and does not tear her down. He loves to see her smile. He wants to help her succeed. He loves her with faithfulness and respect. He gives her freedom to do what she wants because he knows that she is following the spirit of God. He does not worry. This works vice-versa, as well. Trust, virtue, wisdom, and affection are the foundation of their love. Their love is bone deep. They are equally yoked. They have "become one" and they work in harmony to raise their children, who are blessings, not burdens. They have built their house on the Rock. It will not fall.

WHERE IS THE NEED FOR A DIVORCE ?

The problems come when immature Christians marry unequally. A mature Christian knows better than marrying someone who has no knowledge or respect for God. An immature Christian married to an immature Christian suffers under much pain and strife. Both need to increase their commitment and knowledge of God in order to save the marriage.

There exists no book that guides the lost, the unsaved. They are like wild animals and are unpredictable. The word of God is not guiding their conscience. Therefore, God allows divorce in the case of adultery. Adultery is an offense against God and the spouse. Violent abusive controlling spouses are not Christians. The Christian does not neglect his/her spouse and family. A divorce may be necessary in these situations, but it should not be necessary in the church. Divorce in the church is a signal that something is wrong with the individual or the teaching in the pulpit.

Two spouses who love God first will love each other increasingly. Patience and understanding are abundant and helps get the family through tough times.

God is love, love is good.
rusty

[McCulloch]

That's right. When both partners are True Christians, divorce is unthinkable.

The problem happens when

1. One partner in a marriage of ungodly sinners repents and becomes a Christian and the other does not.
2. On partner in a godly marriage turns away from the plain self-evident truth of the gospel.

[arunangelo]

Are lawful marriages of people who do not know God still sealed by God?
Think through the consequences of your answer with regard to already married or remarried converts to Christianity.

If they do not know God who is love, then they do not have a covenant of love. If they do not have have a covenant of love, their marriages are unlawful and not sealed by God.

[Zzyzx]

.

Please try to understand this: Divorce should be unneeded in a Christian marriage. If both spouses are walking toward God doing things that earn the respect of the other, then why should there be a need for a divorce?

I have rephrased some statements from post #4:

The IDEAL husband builds up his wife and does not tear her down. He loves to see her smile. He wants to help her succeed. He loves her with faithfulness and respect. He gives her freedom to do what she wants because he knows that she is following the spirit of God. He does not worry. This works vice-versa, as well. Trust, virtue, wisdom, and affection are the foundation of their love. Their love is bone deep. They are equally yoked. They have "become one" and they work in harmony to raise their children, who are blessings, not burdens. They have built their house on the Rock. It will not fall.

Replacing “Christian husband” with “Ideal husband” conveys the message.

In the real world, NO husbands are Ideal husbands – they are human husbands – with flaws. NO wives are ideal wives – they are also human with human flaws.

Claiming otherwise is pure wishful thinking and unrealistic idealism. However, one can strive to be a good person and marital partner – while realizing that religious faith is NOT a guarantee of success, and that being human prevents perfection (or attainment of ideals without exception).


The problems come when immature PEOPLE marry UNWISELY. A mature PERSON knows better than to marry someone who has strongly different values and goals. A marriage of immature people often results in much pain and strife. Both need to increase their knowledge of each other and the world in which they live BEFORE committing to marriage.

There exists no book that guides the lost, the unsaved.

There are many books and many philosophies that can guide people, religious or not, toward making intelligent, ethical and rewarding decisions in life.

They are like wild animals and are unpredictable. The word of God is not guiding their conscience.

This is a common Christian “judgment” of the “unsaved” – regarding all who do not follow the same religion as “wild animals” and “unpredictable”.

How preposterous an assumption. How elitist and attitude.

That attitude creates enemies for Christianity. I am an example of a capable and determined enemy in response to Christian pronouncements of their supposed superiority based on religious beliefs that condemn “the unsaved”.

Therefore, God allows divorce in the case of adultery. Adultery is an offense against God and the spouse.

God has no say in marriages OR divorces of those who are not indoctrinated or intimidated into fearing “god’s punishment” in a supposed “afterlife”.

Violent abusive controlling spouses are not Christians.

If a violent abusive controlling spouse “accepts Christ as his savior” is he NOT a Christian?

What person decides who is a Christian and who is not? By authority granted by whom?

The Christian does not neglect his/her spouse and family.

If a neglectful spouse “accepts Christ as his/her savior” is s/he NOT a Christian?

A divorce may be necessary in these situations, but it should not be necessary in the church. Divorce in the church is a signal that something is wrong with the individual or the teaching in the pulpit.

Wouldn’t a divorce be more likely to be an indication that something was wrong with the marriage?

Two spouses who love God first will love each other increasingly.

Please document this statement.


Idealism is touching – and impractical. Those who have experienced life realize that perfection and idealism are unattainable concepts, and that reality is very different from both.

[rusty]

I prefer idealism over negativism. I prefer an effort to attain goodness over no effort to even learn goodness. I prefer a documented foundation over unsubstanciated posts by individuals who do not have a documented foundation.

The word of God will not go back to Him empty. There will be those who choose to believe. I will continue my way, to the best of my ability to do it God's way.

I hope you have no problem with MY choices. I hope you are not offended by my choices. Why do I even get the feeling that you are offended somehow? Am I misreading the tone of your posts?
rusty

[McCulloch]

Are lawful marriages of people who do not know God still sealed by God?
Think through the consequences of your answer with regard to already married or remarried converts to Christianity.

If they do not know God who is love, then they do not have a covenant of love. If they do not have have a covenant of love, their marriages are unlawful and not sealed by God.

The billions of marriages of those who are not True Christians™ are complete shams according to you. Must they all remarry if they convert? Are they free to marry someone else if they convert, given that their marriages are unlawful, without even the formality of a divorce from their unbelieving spouse?

[Fallibleone]

I prefer idealism over negativism. I prefer an effort to attain goodness over no effort to even learn goodness. I prefer a documented foundation over unsubstanciated posts by individuals who do not have a documented foundation.

And I prefer intellectually honest posts to intellectually dishonest posts. My understanding is that idealism and negativism are not opposites.
Your personal efforts to attain 'goodness' are as incredible (in the true sense of the world) as others' supposed lack of effort is to you.
Do you see the irony in your comment about unsubstantiated posts?

The word of God will not go back to Him empty.

What?

There will be those who choose to believe. I will continue my way, to the best of my ability to do it God's way.

I hope you have no problem with MY choices. I hope you are not offended by my choices. Why do I even get the feeling that you are offended somehow? Am I misreading the tone of your posts?
rusty

I would guess that you are misreading the tone of his posts. Best let him answer for himself, I suppose.