“I could tell my father about how, a month after we separated, my ex called me up and told me through tears that he’d slept with someone else, and it wasn’t good, and could we still divorce but be friends with benefits?” -Hännah Ettinger in “Ending an abusive marriage is hard. Ending one in the … Continue reading “Oh, Cheater tears!”
Category: Theology of divorce
Mailbag: God took back unfaithful Israel; Are we obligated as well?
A wrote, I am in the middle of divorce proceedings and I have not seen signs of repentence, and even so, know that I would not be required to stay. I do have a question from my own heart. I was reading in Psalm 106:32-48 this morning and was struck at the unfaithfulness of Israel … Continue reading “Mailbag: God took back unfaithful Israel; Are we obligated as well?”
An Article Illustrating “Never Divorce” Damage
A recent opinion piece was published in the Washington Post that caught my attention. It takes aim at the evangelical culture where divorce is NEVER acceptable. The article is by Hännah Ettinger (click on title to be directed to the article):* “Ending an abusive marriage is hard. Ending one in the evangelical church is harder.” As … Continue reading “An Article Illustrating “Never Divorce” Damage”
Is the “Never Divorce” stance idolatry?
She saw that I divorced faithless Israel because of her adultery. But that treacherous sister Judah had no fear, and now she, too, has left me and given herself to prostitution. -Jeremiah 3:8, NLT Is the “Never Divorce” stance on marriage idolatry? Now, before I answer this, I want to be clear I was sympathetic to … Continue reading “Is the “Never Divorce” stance idolatry?”
John Piper and Divorce
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 Shout out to “Janey The Small” on Twitter who found this audio file (posted in 2013) of Pastor John Piper on what he would advice Christians … Continue reading “John Piper and Divorce”
Why? Ask the cheater.
“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” -Jeremiah 17:9, NLT Feeling obligated to have an explanation for an abandonment or divorce plays a significant role in the suffering in my experience. It is crazy-making. You do not have access to the thoughts … Continue reading “Why? Ask the cheater.”
Divorce Minister Blog Vision
…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2, NIV Why create the blog “Divorce Minister?” Divorce Minister: Taking Adultery Seriously is a ministry born … Continue reading “Divorce Minister Blog Vision”
Marriage Annulment and the Bible
So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” – Genesis 12:18-19, NIV Until The Village … Continue reading “Marriage Annulment and the Bible”
Adultery situations make pastors uncomfortable!
He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. -Psalm 146:7-8, NLT Pastors are not marriage therapists. We are pastors. Our area of training and focus deals with rightly handling Scripture. We provide emotional … Continue reading “Adultery situations make pastors uncomfortable!”
A Resurrection Is NOT Normal!
….but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.” -Mark 16:6, NLT Resurrection is unexpected. It is not how things normally go. This is in part why Jesus coming back from … Continue reading “A Resurrection Is NOT Normal!”