Featured Divorce, Remarriage and Preaching

And where do you find that in the Bible?

And how do you exegete that from δει ουν τον επισκοπον ανεπιληπτον ειναι μιας γυναικος ανδρα νηφαλιον σωφρονα κοσμιον φιλοξενον διδακτικον?

 

You don't seem to be able to answer any of the questions I ask you. Every answer seems to be the same, "because I think so." That is not an exegetical answer. If that is all you have then we have nothing more to discuss.

 

If anything is wrong with open air preaching it is not that the preacher is divorced. The only thing I can think of in terms of preaching applies to our witness in general. That is, we are to live holy lives, to be salt and light. A divorced preacher may find it difficult preaching a gospel that his life, depending on circumstances, may not necessarily reflect (or may be a barrier to those he is trying to reach). That said, Paul persecuted the Church before he was saved and God used him greatly.

Insofar as your situation, I believe you need to slow down, stay in God's word, and take some time. You have had a difficult year. I do think that a recently divorced or separated man may be forgiven long before being restored to a preaching role. It's like on an airplane. In an emergency you put your mask on first, otherwise you wont be able to help others.

 

How can you tell people that God is the answer to their sin when you have disobeyed Him and left your wife for no good Biblical reason? I'm sure people on the street won't know about the skeleton in your closet but God knows and God knows your heart. I would not be so quick to do something in ministry when my own life was a wreck.

 

1 Timothy 3:2-7 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Titus 1:5-9 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

1 Peter 5:1-4 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

If I understand Y1 correctly, what he is pointing out is that those qualifications listed do not prescribe that a man must be married in order to pastor. This is found in several places. In 1 Timothy 3 the qualifications are stated in terms of morality (above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, etc.). Were it a requirement, it is illogical that Paul would have encouraged those single to remain so in order to dedicate themselves fully to God. In principle, I also doubt that Paul himself would have failed to meet the requirements set forth to pastor, and Paul was single. And lest we forget, if marriage is a prequalification then so also is having children. I can see how both marriage and having children under your authority can demonstrate how you would manage a household. But I agree with Y1 that this requirement is not one suggesting a man marry before ministry, and instead is a prohibition against ungodliness (in terms of marriage Paul is dealing with polygamy, and in the case of managing a family he is speaking of those unable to manage a household being unable to manage a church).

The question of the OP is if a divorced man meets the biblical qualifications of pastor. In the passages above (two mention being a husband of one wife) I believe the disqualification is not divorce but polygamy. I understand that many will interpret divorce (at least an “unbiblical” divorce) to be just that. It would have been simple for Paul to indicate that husbands who have divorced their wives are disqualified. Instead he states that to be qualified a man must be a husband to one wife. I believe this means exactly what it says.

BUT a divorced man may still be disqualified based on those passages. Was the divorce on the grounds that Scripture permits such action? Was it before the man believed? Was it a sin repented of? How long ago was the divorce? What were the circumstances? All of these become factors (just like any other questionable issue in the man’s life) because the pastor is to be respectful, beyond reproach, and have a good reputation outside the church.

 

Could be the circumstances were very different, including the amount of time that has passed.

 

Thats not the point.

 

Re-read post # 67

 

THAT IS THE LAST THING YOU SHOULD BE DOING RIGHT NOW !!!!