The Theology of Divorce {Matt.5:32}

Ray;Ihad heard that the Stanley's had reconciled. Michael

 

Let us remember that Paul (as he was a Pharisee) was once married, and that more than likely, his wife left him (as we do not hear about her from Paul.)

 

I was going to point that out, but I wasn't sure if it was true that Paul was married. Someone mentioned to me that being married was a given if you were a Pharisee, but I don't know enough about the customs to know if he was right.

 

I had heard this as well....

I think that he was a widower is by far the more likely explanation.

 

What is Calvin's teaching on Marriage?

 

Bro. Ray,

Even if a Christian does commit a 'large' sin {humanly speaking}, does not God forgive? The Lord forgives and forgets.

I agree with the greater portion of your post, my comment is that given the above statement and the record of Scripture the fact that we are of the Spirit of Grace, it would be greater to seek to be more Christ-like and pray God grant us the ability to forgive if we find ourselves in such a situation.

I a few preachers whose wife left them when they announced their calling and followed Christ. This situation is much different than that of unfaithfulness, yet God often works in ways we cannot understand in order to humble our human spirits.

Perhaps something of this nature was Paul's 'thorn in the flesh.' I know when I was in rebellion against God's calling in my life (to preach) I have suffered such that in my human mind, death would have been better, but God is much wiser than I and I am resolved to trust His Will and Purpose for me.

The situation must always be considered, I am sure. Even then, not all people are going to be able to see the reasonings for Dr. Stanley's predicament, and this ultimately reflects not just upon the church, but upon Christ, especially in the view of the world.

I hope Dr. Stanley and his wife have reconciled, this would certainly be Biblical.

Yelsew,

I am not familiar with Calvin enough to know his teaching on divorce. What was his position in the RC before seperating? Would he have even be married? I don't know, a good study point, though.

Paul also did not recommend against marriage, but certainly warned against 'trouble in the flesh' as a result. At either rate, the devil certainly knows the weakness of man and holds no scruples in attacking these weaknesses in order to weaken the heart of man.

I have heard preachers who explained this along with Matt. 19 by particularizing between fornication (being sexual sins prior to marriage; while adultery is within (during or after) the marriage relationship) The preacher I heard on this, though I don't necessarily agree, seemed to be saying the extramarital affair wasn't reason for divorce, but that pre-marital offenses, if not disclosed to the marriage partner, but discovered later, were. This was his explanation. As I said, I don't agree with this. Though my pastor and another preacher I know teach it this way. I have not yet bitten it. I don't see the ability to particularize fornication as sexual uncleanness prior to marriage only as they seem to be doing here.

Does this make sense to anyone as to explain my position on this topic?
God Bless All.
Bro. Dallas

 

I am moving this to the baptist general discussions forum since it is not related to Calvinism/Arminianism issue.

Please follow it there.

 

Where does that come from?
I know that to be a Pharisee they had to be married, but not sure where it is that his wife left him.

 

I believe this was mentioned as conjecture.

Bro. Dallas

 

Whether or not Paul became divorced is conjecture. Paul was not big on writing about himself too often, so the fact that his wife is not mentioned is non-conclusive.

Confusing thing about divorce. What does a pastor do if his wife decides to leave him? If he becomes divorced against his will, that would make him the injured party, and therefore him remarrying would not place anyone in a state of perpetual adultery.

 

He could remarry, but he would be committing adultery. How can yu just say something like, "The Lord forgives and forgets." That makes it okay? If he remarries, he will do so without the Lord's blessing. And you all call Calvinists Antinomians. To say, "Just remarry, the Lord forgives and forgets," is Antinomianism if I've ever heard it.

 

Paul's status - married, divorced, widower, whatever - is a matter of conjecture not verifiable from the Scriptures, and therefore would appear to me to be best left out of the Theology of Divorce.

 

Divorce is a painful experience. First the part must evaluate them selves through counseling. It is hard for one party to omit to the other party they are wrong. It take a special person to look in the mirror and omit they are wrong. We can pray and ask forgiveness but we must be sincere. You must love the other person as much as you love as you love yourself. You must be the model of Christ.

 

Ray, it almost sounded when you spoke of marriage as if it was as important as trading cars not a set of vows before the Holy God, a state also where the Bible says two people become one flesh. God made one woman for every man. Adam didn't have a second choice. God did not put him in a dating game. From this example I believe God has the right mate for me and you if you have not yours yet ,and in the process of time by Providence I believe God will allow me and you to meet our mates. The persons that in a sence complete us (make one flesh).

Preachers are to be the husband of one wife. Not just one at a time. Seems as if the important fact tht a preacher is called to the ministry is being missed here, because of this if he is or does get divorced he has canceled his call to the ministry. If his wife leaves him that would go under breaking the "house kept in order" requirement. Now we may not like all of these rules and requirements but God made them its in His Word and that should be enough whether we understand it all or not.

 

When this subject comes up it seems to be that many have focused on the part where Jesus said "Because of the hardness of your heart." They never try to understand that Jesus was dealing with this subject because Moses had allowed divorce for many various reasons and many of them were frivoulous like Burning a Meal or some other ridiculous reason .

The word "fornication" came from the word Pornea which we get our word Pornography. Stop and think. What sexual sins are in pornography?
All of them. Homesexuality, beastiality, Adultery, Incest and on and on. So Fornication is really all sexual sins.

When Jesus used the word Fornication he was not just talking about pre-marital sex but all sexual sins.

I think anyone who would say that a person has to stay in a relationship with a continuously cheating spouse does not have the mind of Christ at all.

Jesus did say that if a person is cheated on they can remarry. Paul said if a believer is married to an unbeliever and the unbeliever leaves then the believer is not under bondage to them anymore.