What are your thoughts regarding Charles Stanley's divorce (in 2000)?

[alexander284]

No scripture mandate to do that!

Does one require a scripture mandate to do the right thing?

Doesn't common sense dictate he should be humble, and step down?

 

[HankD]

Let's say that's the case. Shouldn't he have the decency to step down voluntarily, given his position?

I am not Stanley but if it were me and I WERE ABANDONED IN THE MANNER HE REPORTEDLY WAS then for the health and well being of the local bod(ies) I probably would.

I don't think its a case of "decency" but AGAIN if it were me I would seek other avenues of servitude knowing there may be none that would glorify GOD.

Or he could glorify GOD by suffering in silence for the injustice of abandonment (if indeed that is the case) WITH A MINISTRY OF PRAYER.

 

[Yeshua1]

I am not Stanley but if it were me and I WERE ABANDONED IN THE MANNER HE REPORTEDLY WAS then for the health and well being of the local bod(ies) I probably would.

I don't think its a case of "decency" but AGAIN if it were me I would seek other avenues of servitude knowing there may be none that would glorify GOD.

Or he could glorify GOD by suffering in silence for the injustice of abandonment (if indeed that is the case) WITH A MINISTRY OF PRAYER.

I am sure that he sought the Lord for wisdom thru the scriptures, prayers, and others, and He must have felt led to do what he ended up doing! I do not know the mind of God on this issue, so cannot judge what happened!

 

[Yeshua1]

Does one require a scripture mandate to do the right thing?

Doesn't common sense dictate he should be humble, and step down?

What if he earnest sought the Lord on this issue, and felt led to do what he did by God?

 

[Scarlett O.]

So it's ok for him to divorce his wife for "irreconcilable differences," and still be the pastor of his church?

She divorced him. She filed. She left.

He never remarried.

You know, the scriptural law when King David was around was that death was the consequence for adultery.

David committed adultery, but didn't pay the consequence of the law. Yes, I know his baby died, but that isn't what the law called for. God continued to use David for his purposes despite David's moral collapse.

This is 20 years ago. He tried to step down, but the church didn't want it. It caused a split in the church and many left.

God is still using him. And that's not my business.

 

[Yeshua1]

She divorced him. She filed. She left.

He never remarried.

You know, the scriptural law when King David was around was that death was the consequence for adultery.

David committed adultery, but didn't pay the consequence of the law. Yes, I know his baby died, but that isn't what the law called for. God continued to use David for his purposes despite David's moral collapse.

This is 20 years ago. He tried to step down, but the church didn't want it. It caused a split in the church and many left.

God is still using him. And that's not my business.

Thank God for His Grace!

 

[George Antonios]

Ah yes, divorce, the #1 Pharisee-attracting topic.
There are 3 justifications for divorce: Death, Defilement, Desertion (1Co.7).
You can remarry after any of those 3. Yes, even the Pharisees can.
Aside from those 3 (like "irreconcilable differences") you can't.
God left David as king over Israel after murder and adultery, under the law no less, and then chose David's second son (Solomon) of the adulteress wife as heir to the kingdom and figure of Jesus Christ.
Besides, as @Scarlett O. has said "that's not of my business".
Mercy, bringing up a man's tragedy out in public 20 years later...
Lastly, before we blast divorced preachers, keep in mind that our God and Saviour is divorced himself:
Jeremiah 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

Would you like him to step off the throne now that he has failed to live-up to your view of the qualifications of a shepherd? I trow not.

 

[Yeshua1]

Ah yes, divorce, the #1 Pharisee-attracting topic.
There are 3 justifications for divorce: Death, Defilement, Desertion (1Co.7).
You can remarry after any of those 3. Yes, even the Pharisees can.
Aside from those 3 (like "irreconcilable differences") you can't.
God left David as king over Israel after murder and adultery, under the law no less, and then chose David's second son (Solomon) of the adulteress wife as heir to the kingdom and figure of Jesus Christ.
Lastly, before we blast divorced preachers, keep in mind that your God and Saviour is divorced himself:
Jeremiah 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

Would you like him to step off the throne now that he has failed to live-up to your view of the qualifications of a shepherd? I trow not.

Jesus showed to us. and modeled, that its Grace of God, not the man made rules of Law that should be our standard!

 

[alexander284]

Thank all for your input.

 

[robycop3]

I have no opinion, as I don't know the circumstances of the divorce.

 

[Stephen Downey]

Does anyone commenting know the real issues that were involved?
Charles was an unwilling participant in his wife’s divorce. Charles did literally everything he could to reconcile with her. Yes, Charles said he would resign if it went forward. Yes, the church deacons, trustees, members, pastor friends, even Independent Fundamental Baptist friends begged, implored, prayed... that he would reconsider. He took time away from the pulpit to fast and pray. And finally he believes God spoke to him and told him to Scripturally continue his ministry.

People are allowed to change their minds. God changed his mind once if you recall. Sometimes we say things during horrible times of stress.

Charles has never dated and never remarried. He has always been the husband of one,wife. And after careful investigation many Godly men were persuaded his house was in order. It was his wife who was unruly.

You do not have to like, listen to or even respect Charles. But please refrain from speaking much publicly about that which you have so little first hand information about. It is dangerously akin to gossip.

 

[HankD]

Does anyone commenting know the real issues that were involved?
Charles was an unwilling participant in his wife’s divorce. Charles did literally everything he could to reconcile with her. Yes, Charles said he would resign if it went forward. Yes, the church deacons, trustees, members, pastor friends, even Independent Fundamental Baptist friends begged, implored, prayed... that he would reconsider. He took time away from the pulpit to fast and pray. And finally he believes God spoke to him and told him to Scripturally continue his ministry.

People are allowed to change their minds. God changed his mind once if you recall. Sometimes we say things during horrible times of stress.

Charles has never dated and never remarried. He has always been the husband of one,wife. And after careful investigation many Godly men were persuaded his house was in order. It was his wife who was unruly.

You do not have to like, listen to or even respect Charles. But please refrain from speaking much publicly about that which you have so little first hand information about. It is dangerously akin to gossip.

unfortunately it is a church issue. one IMO for which God Himself will judge.

 

[Stephen Downey]

Yes, Hank, God, who know all the facts, all the hearts, and all the pure meaning of the Biblical teaching will surely judge. At that time, of course, all saved individuals will be covered by the Blood, justified by their faith, and stand Righteous before him. They will give an account at BEMA. Then enter that Blessed Hope!

 

[HankD]

Yes, Hank, God, who know all the facts, all the hearts, and all the pure meaning of the Biblical teaching will surely judge. At that time, of course, all saved individuals will be covered by the Blood, justified by their faith, and stand Righteous before him. They will give an account at BEMA. Then enter that Blessed Hope!

of course, that is why God will judge at the appropriate place/time.

 

[Yeshua1]

Does anyone commenting know the real issues that were involved?
Charles was an unwilling participant in his wife’s divorce. Charles did literally everything he could to reconcile with her. Yes, Charles said he would resign if it went forward. Yes, the church deacons, trustees, members, pastor friends, even Independent Fundamental Baptist friends begged, implored, prayed... that he would reconsider. He took time away from the pulpit to fast and pray. And finally he believes God spoke to him and told him to Scripturally continue his ministry.

People are allowed to change their minds. God changed his mind once if you recall. Sometimes we say things during horrible times of stress.

Charles has never dated and never remarried. He has always been the husband of one,wife. And after careful investigation many Godly men were persuaded his house was in order. It was his wife who was unruly.

You do not have to like, listen to or even respect Charles. But please refrain from speaking much publicly about that which you have so little first hand information about. It is dangerously akin to gossip.

faras I could tell, he tried to keep his marriage together, but his wife finally decided to divorce him, for non biblical reasons.