“For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the Lord of hosts. -Malachi 2:16a, NKJV If an evangelical pastor talks about divorce, he usually references this verse out of context. Like a club, it is used to keep people from **gasp!** divorcing. It does not work. And it has … Continue reading “Unseen = Faithful spouses when pastors talk about divorce.”
Category: Theology of divorce
Lying Label: “Exit Affairs”
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. -Jeremiah 3:8, KJV What I find especially troubling is how some people will call some affairs … Continue reading “Lying Label: “Exit Affairs””
When “good” is NOT an option for us
Let her remove the adulterous look from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts. -Hosea 2:2b, NIV What drives me nuts about how some pastors speak of divorce is how they assume a “good” option is left on the table for a faithful spouse. Sadly, following infidelity this just isn’t the case! The faithful … Continue reading “When “good” is NOT an option for us”
Impulsive one?! Really?!
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…. -Jeremiah 3:8a, KJV What I find curious in cases with adultery is how the Christian community is so quick to press against the faithful spouse choosing divorce as if this … Continue reading “Impulsive one?! Really?!”
Religion of resurrection
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. -Matthew 28:6, KJV Today, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus. It is Easter Sunday. Christianity is a religion centered around resurrection. Without the resurrection, we have no hope. This is why this is the … Continue reading “Religion of resurrection”
Name it! Call it for what it is.
But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” -Luke 22:48, NLT As I work to prepare for Easter, I was struck by this exchange. Notice how Jesus calls out the action for what it was. Jesus labels it betrayal and points out the especially awful means of that betrayal–namely, … Continue reading “Name it! Call it for what it is.”
Cheater claims no hope.
“I just do not have any hope for our marriage.” -Cheater Ironically, faithful spouses are usually the ones who are accused of giving up on the marriage. The reality is that the cheater gave up on the marriage the moment they decided to violate their marriage vows. Plus, many of us–I suspect–sat in the counseling … Continue reading “Cheater claims no hope.”
Oh, the difference!
A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. -Proverbs 31:10, MSG Eight years ago, I was in a much different place around this time. It was the season my first marriage imploded. All sorts of horrors came forth during that season. Yet God sustained me. He was there with me … Continue reading “Oh, the difference!”
Spiritual trauma best addressed by faithful pastors
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. -Proverbs 17:22, NIV Much of the suffering faithful spouses experience is spiritual in nature. Writing this blog for a couple of years, the questions I encounter center around deep spiritual pain and confusion. These are not so much the nuts and … Continue reading “Spiritual trauma best addressed by faithful pastors”
You would think…
14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. -Exodus 20:14, KJV You would think… …this verse said, “Thou shalt not divorce your spouse.” But it does NOT! The Bible does not treat divorce like it treats adultery. Our Ten Commandments doe NOT prohibit divorce. They prohibit adultery. This is clear. However, you would think Bible-believing pastors were preaching … Continue reading “You would think…”