Autmnleaf, I have no doubt that you are a sincere Christian who loves God and has respect for God's Word. That is clear from your quotations from Scripture that seems to say, "I believe the Scripture has authority".
It is pretty clear that there is a distinct difference of opinion on this issue...however, one of these views is correct, not both to be sure. I think I know where you are coming from. You have a high view of marriage, and see that divorce can be destructive in the lives of people...and you are correct. I wholly support the Biblical view that marriage was intended to be permanent, and that God does not want us to take this lightly. Yet, where I differ, I believe, with you, is how God deals with those who have sinned in divorce. The greater issue here is not whether a divorced man can pastor again, but how God looks at this man who has sinned in divorce, and perhaps remarried. I do not question your sincerety, but I am concerned about the teaching that you have received in your past that makes you dissect Scriptures into fragmented concepts, rather than seeing the unity of the Old Testament and New Testament. Jesus did not come to abrogate the law of Moses. To abrogate, means to abolish. The Bible teaches that Jesus came to fulfill the law of Moses. Jesus clearly said, "I did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it" (Matthew 5:17). Though the Old Testament and New Testament economies were different, God has been the same God, revealing the same truths throughout. The consistent voice of Scripture is that God restores those who have been counted as sinners as though they are not. (Romans 4:6-8) The blood that Jesus shed on the cross "cleanses us from sin continually" (1 John 1:9) those of us who are "sinners" (1 John 1:8).
Having sinned in our past, confessing, and living Godly hence forth, does not put us in the category of "limited service due to sin". Jesus "cleanses us from all unrighteousness". Let's say a man today marries again, but has committed adultery...like David. Are you suggesting that he cannot confess this sin and seek forgiveness? That is contrary to Scripture. You might say, "yes, if he divorces the wife that he remarries" But, he cannot do that, because divorce is wrong. The Bible tells him that he must honor this wife. So, if a man sins this sin of adultery, in your opinion, really, he is trapped...he cannot confess it, because he is in adultery (according to your view) and he cannot change it (because he would have to divorce his new wife) so really this view is an unforgiveable sin...unless he does like David and has her former husband murdered. I can't think that all an adulterer needs to do is murder his wife's former husband to cease perpetual adultery...I know this reasoning most likely sound pretty absurd to you, and most likely is not what you believe, I just want you to see where this view will lead you if you follow this line of thinking, Autumnleaf...ONLY BLASPHEMY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT FORGIVEN AND UNPARDONABLE).
Any man must be able to see his wrong, confess it, and continue to serve God. David did...so did Peter (New Testament). I have also not seen anywhere in the Bible where God elevates the sin of divorce over the sin of murder. If David had Bathsheba's husband killed in battle to cover his sin...that was as great as his wrongfully taking Bathsheba. It is a gross interpretation of the Bible when we, today, will welcome men who have fornicated before marriage (adultery in Jesus' words), murdered, been drug addicted, or any other form of sin, and have no problem with these entering ministry, but we say "no" to a man who has sinned in his past by divorce.
Maybe you are married, and have never divorced...though I do not know your situation, many who argue this the strongest are those who feel they could never sin a particular sin, because it is the one sin they have not committed. We can become interolerant of those sins that we do not see ourselves committing. We must see that even our own sins were nailed to the cross and could have sent us to Hell...that it took grace to cleanse us, as it takes grace to cleanse any other. Who will be given more honor in Heaven? The hooker or the healer? If both have received grace, then neither will receive more honoe. If this is true for Heaven, it must also be true on earth. God is not partial with men. It is all by grace...not by our works that we are elevated.
I believe that many person's theology is affected by their personal biases. We all have them, I am sure. However, I see the entire Bible calling us to see that God is a God of mercy, compassion and unending grace. He is the God of full restoration.
I praise Him that I can love my wife, whom I married the second time...who also loves the Lord, and know that I am obeying the Lord and serving Him and reaching out to hurting people. That is my ministry. People can believe I am perpetually sinning, if they would like to...but it is a gross aberation of truth.
Autumnleaf...I enjoy discussing truth...please take no offense. I have appreciated your intent to make your point from Scripture. I just believe that you are parroting a traditional, not bibilical view.
Grace
David Whitaker