11th Commandment- Thou Shalt Not Divorce.* -Hardline, Evangelical Fundamentalists on Divorce (e.g. John Piper) For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” – Galatians 3:10, NIV *Addendum: If … Continue reading ““No Divorce Allowed!” Legalists”
Category: Theology of divorce
God’s Forgiveness Is Great But What About Adultery Victim Care?
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. -Isaiah 1:17, NLT An observation I’ve noticed is how evangelicals are quick to point to God’s forgiveness for adulterers and adulteresses while totally ignoring their victims. It as as if faithful spouses do not exist … Continue reading “God’s Forgiveness Is Great But What About Adultery Victim Care?”
The Oblivious Ones
So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. – Luke 17:3, NIV If you have survived discovering infidelity and/or gone through divorce, you will inevitably encounter “well-meaning” but oblivious Christians. They may even be related to you by blood. These are the sort of … Continue reading “The Oblivious Ones”
“Monogamy is unnatural.”
A reader of Divorce Minister wrote in asking for me to tackle the old saw that “monogamy is unnatural.” It did not take me long to think of an old Steven Curtis Chapman song addressing such a fatalistic, naturalistic stance: You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though … Continue reading ““Monogamy is unnatural.””
Was Jesus “Damaged Goods”?
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. -Isaiah 53:4-5, KJV Satan is not … Continue reading “Was Jesus “Damaged Goods”?”
Top 5 DM Blog Posts of 2015
Top Five DM Blog Posts For 2015 This past year has been a busy year on Divorce Minister. It marks the first full calendar year that Divorce Minister: Taking Adultery Seriously has exited. Below is a countdown of my top five visited stories for 2015 (only counting posts written this year). These posts received hundreds … Continue reading “Top 5 DM Blog Posts of 2015”
Divorce Minister: A Divorce-Positive Resource For Evangelicals
But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. -Nehemiah 9:31, NIV What do I mean by a “divorce-positive” resource for evangelicals? -Do I mean divorce is the answer to all marital problems? No. -Do I mean divorce is a … Continue reading “Divorce Minister: A Divorce-Positive Resource For Evangelicals”
Bargaining When Leaving Is The Better Option
Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.” -I Samuel 16:1, NKJV I can still remember … Continue reading “Bargaining When Leaving Is The Better Option”
“Failed Marriage” Word Choice
Divorce = “Failed Marriage” Is a marriage that ends other than in divorce thereby “successful?” I may be speaking from my own baggage or sensitivities on this. Plenty of divorced individuals seem to have no problem with this word selection. However, I do not like the word choice where “failed marriage” is used interchangeably for … Continue reading ““Failed Marriage” Word Choice”
Even God Has A Deal-Breaker!
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 Somehow our Christian pastoral advice for marriage has become so twisted that it … Continue reading “Even God Has A Deal-Breaker!”