Divorce, remarriage, and adultery are significant topics addressed in the Bible, reflecting deep moral and ethical considerations within the Judeo-Christian tradition. The Bible provides guidance and principles that have influenced Christian teachings and practices for centuries. Understanding the biblical perspective on these issues requires exploring various passages and their interpretations.
Divorce in the Bible
The Bible addresses divorce in both the Old and New Testaments, with varying degrees of permissibility and conditions.
Old Testament Teachings:
In the Old Testament, divorce is addressed in several passages, most notably in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. This passage provides a legal framework for divorce, allowing a man to write a certificate of divorce if he finds something "indecent" about his wife. However, this passage also contains restrictions, such as prohibiting a man from remarrying his former wife if she has married another man after the divorce.
The prophet Malachi also speaks against divorce, emphasizing God's disapproval. Malachi 2:16 states, "'I hate divorce,' says the Lord God of Israel," highlighting the sanctity of marriage and the pain caused by its dissolution.
New Testament Teachings:
Jesus addresses divorce directly in the Gospels, offering a more stringent view than the Old Testament. In Matthew 19:3-9, Jesus responds to a question about the legality of divorce. He refers to Genesis, emphasizing that marriage was intended to be a lifelong union: "What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." Jesus acknowledges that Moses permitted divorce due to the hardness of people's hearts but asserts that it was not God's original intention.
In Matthew 5:31-32, Jesus adds that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. This passage underscores the seriousness of divorce and its consequences.
Remarriage After Divorce
The New Testament provides specific guidelines regarding remarriage after divorce, linking it closely to the issue of adultery.
Permissible Grounds for Remarriage:
According to Matthew 19:9 and Matthew 5:32, remarriage is permissible if the divorce occurred due to sexual immorality. This exception clause indicates that the innocent party in a divorce resulting from adultery is allowed to remarry without being considered adulterous.
General Prohibition:
Apart from the exception for sexual immorality, remarriage after divorce is generally seen as adulterous. Mark 10:11-12 and Luke 16:18 reiterate this stance, emphasizing that marrying another after divorcing one's spouse constitutes adultery.
Adultery in the Bible
Adultery is unequivocally condemned throughout the Bible, considered a grave sin against God and one's spouse.
Old Testament Teachings:
The Ten Commandments explicitly prohibit adultery: "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). Adultery is seen as a violation of the marriage covenant and an act that brings severe consequences. Leviticus 20:10 prescribes the death penalty for those caught in adultery, reflecting its seriousness.
New Testament Teachings:
Jesus expands on the commandment against adultery, addressing not only the act but also the intent. In Matthew 5:27-28, He teaches that even looking at someone lustfully is tantamount to committing adultery in the heart. This interpretation emphasizes the importance of purity in thoughts and intentions, not just actions.
Adultery is also discussed in the context of spiritual unfaithfulness. The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, includes adulterers among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, underscoring the moral and spiritual implications of the sin.
Conclusion
The Bible's teachings on divorce, remarriage after divorce, and adultery reflect a commitment to the sanctity and permanence of marriage. Divorce is permitted under certain conditions, particularly in cases of sexual immorality, but it is not encouraged. Remarriage after divorce is generally considered adulterous, except when the divorce occurred due to infidelity. Adultery, both in act and thought, is condemned as a serious sin against God and one's spouse.
These teachings challenge believers to uphold the ideals of faithfulness, commitment, and purity in their marital relationships. While interpretations and applications may vary among different Christian traditions, the biblical principles serve as a foundation for understanding and navigating these complex and sensitive issues.
N.B.: Many so-called conservative churches encounter a very stubborn roadblock in their doctrinal positions regarding marriage, divorce, remarriage, adultery, and LGBTQIA+ positions. Although many of these churches are adamant with respect to the latter, they readily compromise with respect to the first three.
Illustrative of this is the following except from the PCA’s Divorce and Remarriage [1992 Report of the Ad Interim Committee]: "[T]he General Assembly urge[s] church courts to exercise special care in the cases of divorced/remarried persons who are considered for ordination, where there has been divorce and remarriage on other than Scriptural grounds, guilt must be acknowledged and repentance for sin expressed."
In essence, the PCA allows adulterous members to serve in positions of leadership (e.g., elders, deacons, as well as all ordained persons). The practice is consistent with those within the LCMS, SBC, etc. However, these groups proudly bar practicing members within the LGBTQIA+ community from serving in those same roles. What is the rationale?
The reader should not conclude that this author condones any of the aforementioned practices. Rather, the author merely calls for clarification with respect to the apparent hypocrisy.
No comments:
Post a Comment