“The Sin of Divorce” Language matters. Distinctions matter. Context matters. All of these are reasons for why I dislike the phrase “the sin of divorce.” It fails theologically and pastorally on many levels. My hope is that those who teach on divorce in the church stop using it altogether. The biggest issue I have with … Continue reading ““The Sin of Divorce” Language”
Category: Theology of divorce
Easter-Death Is NOT The End!
“He is not here; he has risen!” -Luke 24:6a, NIV Today, we celebrate Jesus rising from the grave. It is Resurrection Sunday. One lesson from Resurrection Sunday is that death is not the end. It is merely the beginning of life for those who are in Christ. Sin and death do not get the last … Continue reading “Easter-Death Is NOT The End!”
A Picture Of Repentance From Jonah
7 Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city: “No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all. 8 People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop … Continue reading “A Picture Of Repentance From Jonah”
Forgiving My Ex
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Yesterday’s passage (John 20:21-23) and post has led me to rethink the question of whether or not I have forgiven my ex-wife. When I was going through my ecclesiastical trial to retain my minister’s license, this was one of the questions being asked of me. Namely, they asked me if I had forgiven my … Continue reading “Forgiving My Ex”
Clergy: To marry an adulterous couple or not?
“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” -Matthew 19:9, NIV I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin…or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat … Continue reading “Clergy: To marry an adulterous couple or not?”
Review: “What I Wish Pastors Knew About Divorce” by Laura Petherbridge
Today, I am reviewing a blog post on “Family Matters.” It is by Laura Petherbridge who happens to be a speaker appearing in the Divorce Care® materials. The title of the post under consideration today is “What I Wish Pastors Knew About Divorce” (Click on title to be directed to the actual blog post). First, … Continue reading “Review: “What I Wish Pastors Knew About Divorce” by Laura Petherbridge”
Freedom Through Believing The Truth
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:31-32, NKJV Much of my intense emotions and stridency surrounding my ex-wife cheating on and abandoning me came down to a … Continue reading “Freedom Through Believing The Truth”
Obviously taken him or her back?!
“‘Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts….’” -Hosea 2:2, KJV Obviously, take him back?! Much “Christian” teaching places such an emphasis on keeping marriages “intact” that they insist … Continue reading “Obviously taken him or her back?!”
The Insane Church-y Pressure To Appear “Forgiving”
They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace. -Jeremiah 6:14, NIV The pressure from Christians to appear forgiving towards adulterous spouses or exes is incredible. This pressure was enshrined in my ecclesiastical trial to retain my minister’s license. They probed around … Continue reading “The Insane Church-y Pressure To Appear “Forgiving””
Book Review: THE SUBTLE POWER OF SPIRITUAL ABUSE by David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen
–A Book Review– The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse: Recognizing and Escaping Spiritual Manipulation and False Spiritual Authority Within the Church by (Pastor) David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen Much of my work on this blog is dealing with spiritual abuse surrounding infidelity discovery and its aftermath including divorce. The literature for Christian faithful spouses on … Continue reading “Book Review: THE SUBTLE POWER OF SPIRITUAL ABUSE by David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen”