Mention "divorce" to the common "born-again" evangelical and you most likely will be greeted with raised eyebrows, dilated pupils, an elevated heart rate, and a hasty blurting out of the following verse: "What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate" (Mark 10:9).
But is divorce really absolutely disallowed for the Christian? Are there not instances wherein Scripture permits the dissolution of marriage?
My pastor, Rev. Nollie Malabuyo, sheds crucial light on this very sensitive and important matter: No Divorce: Only in the Philippines…
Every discussion (by Christians) I have ever heard about divorce instantly focuses on the 'exception,' which grows increasingly larger as the discussion continues. Before long, the exception is as large as the Pharisees' "for any reason."
ReplyDeleteNo one ever seems to tackle the issue of remarriage either. Just because there may be a legitimate cause for divorce, does the divine exception automatically allow for remarriage? No one even asks this question. They just assume that if they can get divorced, then they can remarry also.
Further, because we're so quick to assure everyone that God can forgive you if you are divorced, the fact that God hates divorce (Mal. 2:16). Of course, Mark 10:9 is applicable. In the United States the divorce rate among professing Christians is actually higher than that of unbelievers. I suspect that not all of these divorces qualify for the Divine exception.
Indeed, the two instances wherein divorce is allowed can be abused beyond its intended function. The depraved human heart is ingenious in corrupting God's sound precepts in order to suit its own selfish ends. However, those allowances are there for a just reason.
ReplyDeleteRegarding remarriage, the fact that the covenantal union is broken in divorce, I believe, means that remarriage is allowed. Death and divorce dissolve the marriage, and in the former case, remarriage is not prohibited.
As a final note, reconciliation and forgiveness between husband and wife is the ideal. Being divorce "trigger-happy" is not the way of wisdom.
A country that allows divorce is better than a country that does not like the Philippines. Filipino men are free to maintain mistresses and support them causing heartaches to many wives and children. Marriage involves taking a vow witnessed by people and God that the two will be one and are held accountable by the Church and Courts to upheld their vow to be faithful to one another. When married couples fail to honor that vow,they need to be held by accountable by the Church ,their families and the Civil Magistrate.
ReplyDeleteDivorce will force an adulterous spouse to honor his or her vow. If found guilty of adultery,the court will slap the adulterous with alimony for his/her innocent spouse. In some states ,an adulterous woman if earning a good income can pay her husband alimony. Whoever is guilty is not really free to run away and just take off and leave his/her spouse and kids. The court will see to it that he/she just don't abandon his/her children and let them roam in the streets to beg. A dad that runs away from supporting his kids can go to jail. An adulterous wife could lose custody of her kids . Divorce proceedings is dirty in court because it will expose all one's sins publicly and will force one to face the consequences and continue to support the family (Alimony for an innocent wife and support for kids he fathered.)
Philippines is heavily influenced by Roman Catholicism which make people believe that they are holier and better Christians because they are not allowed to divorce. Actually, it is a teaching that refuses to teach how to face when a marriage fail. Inspite of, people are encouraged to put up a face and make believe that things are okay when it is not. Divorce will force couples to face their own failures or marital sin.
Andy, I would suggest you take look at http://www.opposingviews.com/i/do-christians-have-higher-divorce-rate-than-non-christians and its sources. There are a few major issues with the statement "In the United States the divorce rate among professing Christians is actually higher than that of unbelievers." The first is the definition of "professing Christian" I have never seen any statistical information using that term, though certainly some could exist. Barna, the polling company, does make a difference between "Born again" (what I suspect you are referring to as professing) and "Evangelical" in their survey material. (see link above for their stated differences) Secondly is the difference in marriage percentages in general. example: If a couple are living together and never marry they cannot get divorced.
ReplyDeleteWarren, death certainly dissolves the covenant between man, woman and God that results in marriage , but I would not go so far as to say divorce did. Biblical teaching on divorce seems to show that the only valid reasons for divorce are Adultery and Abandonment by a non believing spouse. Further Mark 10:2-12 teaches that if a divorce is granted, presumably for any other circumstances, remarriage causes adultery.