“If you want to come back, O Israel, you must really come back to me. You must get rid of your stinking sin paraphernalia and not wander away from me anymore.” -Jeremiah 4:1 (from 1-2 block), THE MESSAGE This verse comes on the heals of the chapter where God declares His divorce of Israel over … Continue reading “Even God Requires Repentance First!”
Category: Theology of divorce
Pastors, Let’s leave divorce off the vice lists!
Pastors, let us strike “divorce” from our list of social ills and vices! Before going through a divorce myself, I probably never would have understood the importance of this simple move. I was not sensitized to the subtle shaming messages such inclusion sends. What I have noticed is how pastors and other Christian leaders will … Continue reading “Pastors, Let’s leave divorce off the vice lists!”
Divorce Shame Evil!
And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to divorce her secretly. -Matthew 1:19, NASB (footnote alternate translation used) Divorce Shame Evil! When Christian leaders rail against divorce under all circumstances, they are engaging in an evil practice of which they may not be aware. They may not see … Continue reading “Divorce Shame Evil!”
Naive Christians Will Never Understand
“And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.” -Luke 9:5, KJV Some cheaters are unfit company. The best we can do is limit or end our contact with some individuals who refuse to bend the knee to … Continue reading “Naive Christians Will Never Understand”
Divorce And the Original Christmas Story
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, … Continue reading “Divorce And the Original Christmas Story”
Just looking for an excuse to divorce? Really?!
Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?” -Mathew 19:3, NLT Are faithful spouses just looking for an excuse to divorce? Pastors, do you really think this? I am astounded that some pastors and Christian leaders believe faithful spouses … Continue reading “Just looking for an excuse to divorce? Really?!”
But God Stayed Married to Cheating Israel…
“I will punish her for all those times when she … went out to look for her lovers but forgot all about me,” says the Lord. “But then I will win her back once again.” -Hosea 2:13a,c, 14a, NIV But God stays married to us even though we are unfaithful to Him. Repeat after me: Hosea is … Continue reading “But God Stayed Married to Cheating Israel…”
God On Breaking Up Homes Following Adultery
The Idolatry of “Intact” Homes If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel. -Deuteronomy 22:22, NIV God did not prioritize keeping the marriage together over dealing with the evil of adultery in the Old … Continue reading “God On Breaking Up Homes Following Adultery”
Dear DM, What does restitution look like in my situation?
Dear Divorce Minister, My wife committed adultery 16 years ago. I forgave and renew my vows on tremendously incomplete information. She recently confessed to the entirety of the adultery after we have had 3 wonderful children. I can say with out hesitation I would have not continued in the marriage if I would have known … Continue reading “Dear DM, What does restitution look like in my situation?”
Cheaters Treat Marriage As Disposable
Christian leaders seem to worry that allowing any divorce is to open the flood gates to every divorce. The idea is permitting divorce necessarily means taking a disposable stance towards the covenant of marriage. This is just not so. God does not take marriage lightly, and He is described in the Bible as divorcing Israel: And I saw, when … Continue reading “Cheaters Treat Marriage As Disposable”