How many times does Jesus say that he hates divorce? 0 Zilch. None. Not once. This might surprise you if you’ve heard teachings on this from the pulpit. You probably have heard messages about how God hates divorce. However, well-meaning Christian leaders usually omit that this passage (Malachi 2:16) is really about using divorce to … Continue reading “How Many Times Does Jesus Say He Hates Divorce?”
Category: Theology of divorce
Divorce Is NOT Worst Outcome Following Adultery
The speaker in the above clip from The Gospel Coalition, which is a theologically Reformed group of like-minded, evangelical Christian leaders, is Pastor Erwin Lutzer. He is a longtime senior pastor at The Moody Church in Chicago, IL. Pastor Lutzer does radio shows espousing his evangelical views and is a very prolific writer publishing … Continue reading “Divorce Is NOT Worst Outcome Following Adultery”
Despising God’s Gifts
Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what … Continue reading “Despising God’s Gifts”
Shaming the Abandoned
If your husband or wife isn’t a follower of the Lord and decides to divorce you, then you should agree to it. You are no longer bound to that person. After all, God chose you and wants you to live at peace. – I Corinthians 7:15, CEV When I was going through the ecclesiastical trial … Continue reading “Shaming the Abandoned”
Blame Only Where Blame’s Due
Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin. – Deuteronomy 24:16, NIV Even under the strict law of the Old Testament, God followers were taught the principle that one punishes only the one who commits the sin. … Continue reading “Blame Only Where Blame’s Due”
How Long Will You Mourn Over The Adulterous Spouse?
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” -I Samuel 16:1, NIV Before I … Continue reading “How Long Will You Mourn Over The Adulterous Spouse?”
No Investigation Required
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 As I was driving today, God brought to mind this verse from the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. It is the abandonment … Continue reading “No Investigation Required”
Adultery Disembowels A Marriage
This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. -Genesis 2:24, NLT “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his … Continue reading “Adultery Disembowels A Marriage”
What Then Is This Bleating I Hear?
Sometimes God rejects those who decide to sin rather than obey. This includes, apparently, even those He initially chooses. It is clear from Scripture that our choices have consequences when we choose sin over obedience to God. Here is the classical story about how King Saul fell from God’s favor. I find it instructive in … Continue reading “What Then Is This Bleating I Hear?”
Abusing the Example of Hosea
When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.” – Hosea 1:2, NIV Then the Lord said to me, “Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that … Continue reading “Abusing the Example of Hosea”