“Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.” – Eliphaz the Temanite in Job 4:7-8, KJV And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to … Continue reading “Assumption of Choice”
Category: Theology of divorce
Is Divorce Minister Just Feeding Into Our Already Divorce-Permissive Society?
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” -Matthew 7:13-14, NIV Too Divorce Permissive? The Scripture’s take on divorce … Continue reading “Is Divorce Minister Just Feeding Into Our Already Divorce-Permissive Society?”
Parents of Divorcees And Disenfranchised Grief
Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words. – Job 2:13, NLT Adultery effects more than just the couple. So does divorce. After preaching, I was pulled aside and asked about … Continue reading “Parents of Divorcees And Disenfranchised Grief”
Paul Does Not Shame Abandoned Spouses
But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. – I Corinthians 7:15, KJV Busy today putting on the final touches to my sermon that I will be delivering to services tomorrow morning. Just want to leave … Continue reading “Paul Does Not Shame Abandoned Spouses”
Pity Or Empathy: Responding to the Divorced
Divorcee:“I’m divorced.” Christian church-goer:“I’m sorry. That’s too bad.” Sometimes, it is easy to feel like one has a scarlet “D” tattooed to one’s backside. Do I have to justify my divorce to every Christian to whom I reveal my marital status? I know some of us do not struggle with this. Some people seem bulletproof … Continue reading “Pity Or Empathy: Responding to the Divorced”
Divorce Context in Jesus’ Day
If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house… Deuteronomy 24:1, NIV A puzzle I have not attacked–until now–is over why Matthew is the only Gospel that provides … Continue reading “Divorce Context in Jesus’ Day”
“I care about you…”
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. -Proverbs 12:18, NIV I care about you but not enough… …to end my friendship with the adulterous spouse until she repents. My thoughts: “Sorry, your concern for me sounds skin deep. Scripture is clear that a person who … Continue reading ““I care about you…””
“You Need To Forgive Your Adulterous Spouse.”
“You sound angry. I really think you need to forgive your spouse for cheating on you. Forgive and forget. After all, Jesus did that for you.” -Christian “Friend” to Faithful Spouse The most hurtful pieces of advice usually have a hint of truth as does this one. We do need to forgive our spouses … Continue reading ““You Need To Forgive Your Adulterous Spouse.””
Responding to Foolish Bible Applications
Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation. -Proverbs 26:5, NLT Often times, I encounter frequent flyers as far as passages used to abuse faithful spouses. Well-meaning or just self-righteous religious people spout off some verse or passage thinking they are dispensing much needed … Continue reading “Responding to Foolish Bible Applications”
Answering Questioners
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them,“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” – John 8:7, NKJV This past weekend I had some interesting conversations with people I had just met. They were generally positive interactions on the whole. I appreciated … Continue reading “Answering Questioners”