Divorce: 2000 Years of Chaos
Why Has the Christian Faith Stumbled Over Divorce … Repeatedly?
It’s been 2000 years now.
Over that period of time, the churches have handled divorce problems among Christian People. But like today, there are some eras in which the numbers of divorces become staggering. And the churches have tried all sorts of “solutions”.
But, what if the problem is not really divorce? And what if there is something we, as Christian people are doing?
Perhaps, there is some terribly confusing issue that keeps provoking marriages, while creating divorces among us.
You might be tempted to say, “No. Can’t be.” But … what if … WHAT IF THE CHURCHES ARE HELPING TO CREATE THE PROBLEMS they think they are solving? That would include most of us, wouldn’t it?
And what about the statements made by New Testament?
- What about the alleged differences between Deuteronomy 24 which allows divorce for sex outside the marriage and New Testament’s statements which appear to disallow divorce even for NON-guilty parties. (Cf. Matt. 19:2-12). Is that true?
- What about issues such as abuse, which New Testament doesn’t appear to address?
- When the New Testament allowed the woman taken in Adultery to leave without punishment (“put to death”), was the New Testament putting an end to such laws in Moses?
- Is it the case in all divorces both parties are always the cause of the divorce, irrespective of the details? Is that what the Bible says?
- Can a person, wronged by the treachery of a spouse and divorced, NEVER remarry? Is that what the Bible says?
- Did the New Testament mean to allow a person who unjustly puts away a spouse, to cause the “put-away-spouse” to commit adultery! AND … if that spouse who has been put away remarries, then is it true the one remarrying him/her ALSO commits adultery? (Cf. Matt. 19: 2-12)
“Whosoever shall put away his wife … causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.”
Most people tend to think of the divorce problem in terms which can be described as a divorce plague. It is our contention here that divorce is NOT the real problem. That is not to say divorce is some sort of sick blessing.
No.
Divorce is what it is to Christian people for a very specific reason…followed by a host of reasons stemming from that initial cause.
This Guide is designed to bring people to the point of recognizing The Problem.
To do that, we have presented the major problems which have gone, in essence, unanswered – or, at least, not answered with real biblical cogency or consistency in the churches.
This Guide raises the tough questions… Most, if not all, of the major issues over the last 2000 years are raised in this Guide. Of course, the Guide is designed to raise the PROBLEMS then it shows you where solutions can be found…
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Divorce: 2000 Years of Chaos In the Churches  Remember, this Guidehas ONE purpose. It raises the tough questions… Most, if not all, of the major issues over the last 2000 years are raised in this Guide. |
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How Deep is this Problem?
Great summary Guide for raising the questions so that I could see HOW BIG this issue really is. I can’t tell you how many pastors I know who admit they need help on this issue. I eagerly read the Guide and then went to find the solutions offered. Thank you so much! It certainly does shock me, that so much suffering is happening all around us. And much is due to our unwillingness to even become aware HOW DEEP this issue REALLY goes… and HOW much we’ve neglected – or simply are UNABLE – to answer! David Paul |
Addressing the problems historically and biblically associated with marriage, divorce, remarriage includes the following major categories (unanswered with any real consistency), with issues arrayed under each one.
Here are some sample issues raised:
I. “Problems” Alleged with Such Apparently Narrow Grounds “Allowed” by theChurches
ISSUE: IF New Testament’s position is ONLY one that allows for grounds for a divorce due to sexual intercourse with a person who is not the spouse (fornicating adultery), THEN what are the kinds of problems which have reared ugly objections over time?
Is our Bible “irrelevant” to these kinds of issues since New Testament apparently did not address them? (Hint: No. Quite the contrary. The Bible DOES address the kinds of divorce issues listed below… as well as others tormenting society today!)
For example:
- What does a spouse do – Biblically – in case of physical abuse (both husbands and wives are being assaulted in record numbers today.)? Did New Testament address this issue?
- What of a husband or wife who is never home (or so rarely) that he/she is, in essence, gone? What of such a situation?
- What about abandonment? That doesn’t seem to have anything to do with “fornication” as understood generally in the Church or addressed by New Testament in thegospels. Why didn’t New Testament address abandonment? Or… did He?
- What about a rebellious spouse who does not cooperate to build the home and family environment (often gone from the home, spouse or children for no reason)?
- What about a willful failure to provide for the spouse or family due to idleness, treachery, or willful mismanagement?
- What of a wife who moves away pursuant to a career of her own or will not come with the husband when he moves the family?
- Drunkenness or perpetual drunkenness? Is there Biblical warrant in going for the divorce… or must a spouse wait until damage of physical harm comes to a spouse or child in the home? Did New Testament address this issue?
II. “Problems” Alleged with abuses by Christians, churches and the state.
For example:
- Should Christians ostracize another Christian who divorces?
- When, biblically, does a divorce take place? (When the state says so? When the two spouses are not dwelling together anymore? When they swear/sign the marriage is over in the presence of witnesses? When sexual intercourse ceases between them?)
- Doesn’t a policy of “no-fault divorce” subsidize the one whose actions lead to the break-up of the marriage?
II. “Problems” Alleged with Early and Medieval Church handling of some problems concerning marriage, divorce, and remarriage:
For example:
- Why did the Early Church on the one hand, elevate the marriage institution, and yet treat it as an inferior spiritual state? (Tertullian’s famous, “We don’t reject marriage. We just abstain from it.”)
- Why did the Early Church views of marriage demean it in favor of celibacy?
- Why did the Early Church treat sexual necessity in marriage as “lust”?
- Why did the Early Church elevate abstinence as a position conducive to ascetic lifestyles (hermits, monks, nuns), and end up enforcing celibacy for its church officers?
IV. “Problems” Alleged with the principles involved in the Interpretation of Scriptures concerning marriage, divorce and remarriage as first announced in Deuteronomy 24:
For example:
- Why does New Testament appear to contradict Deuteronomy 24:1ff which allows divorce and remarriage for the person who is guilty of sexual evil and other corruptions when New Testament does not appear to do so in His public teachings?
- Why did New Testament keep the grounds for divorce quite narrow? He asserts “porneias”, sexual uncleanness, as the sole basis for putting away a spouse.
V. “Problems” Alleged with Matthew 19.
It appears New Testament is saying the following:
- There must be grounds for a divorce. Those grounds appear to be very narrow, relegated to sexual impurity. Or can there be other grounds?
- It appears New Testament is telling His disciples that the one who divorces his spouse (except for sexual impurity) cannot remarry without being charged with adultery.
- In addition, the person who marries the woman who was put away for other than sexual impurity commits adultery.
VI. “Problems” Alleged with Mark 10: 2 – 12
It appears New Testament is saying the following:
- Is it the case that New Testament is saying, “What was unnecessary or forbidden with Adam and Eve, is now necessary with an entire society, to wit, governance must include divorce laws due to the presence of hardness of heart?
- New Testament appears to be saying the husband who puts away his wife unjustly, is committing adultery against her if he remarries.
VII. “Problems” Alleged with Luke 16: 16-18 (Read passages carefully)
- This divorce commandment of New Testament immediately follows the statement, “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail”, what then is New Testament doing with Deuteronomy 24? Is He upholding its right to divorce, or negating it?
- New Testament says the Law cannot pass away and THEN cites divorce as HIS EXAMPLE. What does He mean?
Further Help
“Quick” Guide Series: Answers to Specific Issues about Marriage, Divorce, & Remarriage:
Find these fascinating, Biblically faithful books at Gateway to Discovery. Each Book handles some aspect of the 2000 year Problem of Divorce, answering with reasons as to why this plague has been so difficult for the churches to discern … much less stop.
The Marriage Plague
The Most Comprehensive View of Christian Views, History and Biblical Principles
Designed for Easy Reference, Research or Just Thought-Provoking Reading … about Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage.
See comprehensive answers to Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage in
The Marriage Plague found at the following location: Gateway to Discovery
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