Bump. . .
Myself, I understand the Bible does not make divorce an option for the believer, except in a very limited scope. Also, if a believer is married to an unbeliever, that is not reason for the believer to divorce their spouse, and at the same time, if the unbeliever would abandon and divorce their believing spouse, that is not reason for a church to stigmatize the believer that was abandoned and divorced by the unbelieving spouse. On the subject of divorce and marriage, a believer is not to use divorce except in the case of open and clear gross sin on the part of their spouse, as shown by Scripture. Also, a believer that has been abandoned by the unbeliever is not forced to live a life of celibacy and loneliness. If any were to abide by the Scriptures, they would not be unjustly partaking in a second or third or forth marriage. Divorce for any reason other than allowed by Scripture is wicked, and the reasons allowed by Scripture should be clearly seen, the church being permitted previously to be involved before that would be accomplished. There is gravity placed on divorce in the Bible. Let the Bible, and not tradition and superstition, guide the church. In Malachi, the reason for the divorce is shown as being treacherous and abominable, the cause for the divorce being unjust. It should be considered, Ezra and Nehemiah demanded divorce under certain situations. Divorce for just cause is not hated. God divorced Israel, but unjust cause is to be abhorred and is wicked. It was not divorce for just cause, but instead treacherous and abominable putting away of a spouse that is said to be hated, in Malachi (Malachi 2:11-16). It does seem right that some things, such as adultery, divorce, and murder should be considered above others, and with that said, recall that God divorced Israel, and Ezra and Nehemiah demanded divorce. Also consider the actions of David, as he committed adultery with Bathsheba, then murdered her husband. It should be hoped that God, and a man after God’s own heart, would be accepted in the contemporary church.
As Jay E. Adams says: “It was relatively easy for a pastor in past days to say, "Sorry, I don't marry any divorced persons," and for congregations to state in their by-laws that "No divorced person may teach, sing in the choir or hold office." That is how it was. And, in some congregations, perhaps in a considerable number of them, that is still how it is today. But where those positions still prevail, there is a difference - they are held more and more with an uneasy conscience.” (Marriage, Divorce, And Remarriage In The Bible, Jay E. Adams)
To understand better about these things, the book available at this URL is a great help:
http://www.inkweb.com/divorce/about.html
