Divorce & the Bible

[morningstar2651]

Alrighty, since the Age in Relationships thread was going way off topic, I created this.

Is divorce permitted by the Bible? Discuss.

The Viewpoints:

Divorce is never permissible:
Mark 10:11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

Luke 16:18 Whosoever putteth away his wife and marrieth another, committeth adultery.

Only when the wife is unfaithful:
Matthew 5:31-32 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Matthew 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

When the 'unbelieving' partner chooses to leave:
1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases.

When the husband is displeased with his wife:
Deuteronomy 24:1-2 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife.

 

[sculpturegirl]

Jesus gave us this concession "because our hearts were hard," but this was not the way it was in the beginning.

I believe that divorce is wrong. I also believe that Jesus saves us sinners and forgives us our sins.

 

[CSMR]

(you mean Moses?)

 

[Swordman007]

(you mean Moses?)

Most people never read the text for what it says, therefore they end up blaming the Lord for something He never took credit.

Don

 

[Swordman007]

Alrighty, since the Age in Relationships thread was going way off topic, I created this.

Is divorce permitted by the Bible? Discuss.

The Viewpoints:

Divorce is never permissible:
Mark 10:11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

Luke 16:18 Whosoever putteth away his wife and marrieth another, committeth adultery.

Only when the wife is unfaithful:
Matthew 5:31-32 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Matthew 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

When the 'unbelieving' partner chooses to leave:
1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases.

When the husband is displeased with his wife:
Deuteronomy 24:1-2 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife.

What kind of discussion are you seeking? Is it your contention that this all demonstrates inconsistency within the Bible? I hope that is not your point, because this is easily torn to shreds.

Dr. Don Dean

 

[Soc12]

I don't like divorce at all. My girlfriend and I have had premaritial sex, and we both agree that we will get married some day in the not too far future, and I think that us having sex isn't as bad as a divorce. God intended it to be one man with one woman for their entire lives, thats what I'm planning on doing, divorces mean you can then go and be with another man or woman, and I don't think that is how God intended it.

The only time I think that a divorce is right is when one partner hasn't been loyal to another, or one has been abusive, physically or verbally, to the other. The problem today is that those problems happen a lot because people get married after being together for a few months or even less. People need to get to know people better before getting married in the first place. And if you are waiting to get married to have sex and just don't want to have to wait anymore, that is not a reason to get married. That will almost always lead to a divorce IMO.

 

[Phred]

God intended it to be one man with one woman for their entire lives, thats what I'm planning on doing, divorces mean you can then go and be with another man or woman, and I don't think that is how God intended it.

Unless you read those parts about one man and many women. Seems you're reading into the Bible what you wish to read.

.​

 

[Soc12]

Unless you read those parts about one man and many women. Seems you're reading into the Bible what you wish to read.

Am I not allowed to have my own interpretation of the bible? I know that God said that man and wife, after making love for the first time become one and I don't believe that one should ever be broken up.

 

[HouseApe]

Well my reading of that is that a man can divorce his wife at his pleasure, but can't remarry (who'd want to anyway?). However, it looks like a woman is pretty much stuck. Pretty sweet deal if you ask me.

 

[tcampen]

The bible really doesn't address the reality of Domestic Violence in married relationships. Whatever one might find on the subject in the bible, no God, if a that god were caring and reasonable, would want a woman to remain in an abusive relationship. This is not a matter of inconvenience, but life and death.

If a woman leaves such a man, should she be prevented from pursuing a healthy relationship with a good man? Can anyone say that God prefers women to stay with their abusers than have a healthy relationship? I can't possibly see this being the case for any reasonable being - God, Human or otherwise.

 

[Swordman007]

I don't like divorce at all. My girlfriend and I have had premaritial sex, and we both agree that we will get married some day in the not too far future, and I think that us having sex isn't as bad as a divorce. God intended it to be one man with one woman for their entire lives, thats what I'm planning on doing, divorces mean you can then go and be with another man or woman, and I don't think that is how God intended it.

So, what you mean is that you are going to get the piece of paper from City Hall? Quite frankly, if you are maritally committed to one another, and have sealed the relationship by becoming one flesh (which you have already admitted), then you are married in God's eyes. That piece of paper from City Hall does not make you married. All it does is give government recognition of your marriage that already exists. There is absolutely no moral crisis in not having that piece of paper, for there is no law in any state requiring the acquisition of a marriage license/certificate.

The only time I think that a divorce is right is when one partner hasn't been loyal to another, or one has been abusive, physically or verbally, to the other.

There are other biblical reasons, but what you have listed is actually somewhat flawed.

The problem today is that those problems happen a lot because people get married after being together for a few months or even less. People need to get to know people better before getting married in the first place.

The real problem in marriage today is a lack of TRUE commitment. People think they can try one another like a pair of pants, and if it does not work out, then move on. That is fornication, which does bar people from entering the Kingdom of God if they are nonrepentent. What you appear to be proposing is that if the relationship does not work out in the beginning stages after having become one flesh, that it is ok to part company before getting the license/certificate.

Here is a revelation: That piece of paper from City Hall does not add any more legitimacy to a marriage than the man on the moon.

And if you are waiting to get married to have sex and just don't want to have to wait anymore, that is not a reason to get married. That will almost always lead to a divorce IMO.

This is a very shallow perspective of marriage itself. Again, TRUE love is a commitment, not an emotion, although we do reap emotional benefit from our commitment to our spouse.

Dr. Don Dean

 

[Swordman007]

Unless you read those parts about one man and many women. Seems you're reading into the Bible what you wish to read.

Give that man a cigar.....

 

[Swordman007]

The bible really doesn't address the reality of Domestic Violence in married relationships. Whatever one might find on the subject in the bible, no God, if a that god were caring and reasonable, would want a woman to remain in an abusive relationship. This is not a matter of inconvenience, but life and death.

If a woman leaves such a man, should she be prevented from pursuing a healthy relationship with a good man? Can anyone say that God prefers women to stay with their abusers than have a healthy relationship? I can't possibly see this being the case for any reasonable being - God, Human or otherwise.

Actually, this is addressed in the Bible, it's just that most people do not study it in enough depth and detail to find it and draw understanding from it.

Dr. Don Dean

 

[tcampen]

Actually, (domestic violence) is addressed in the Bible, it's just that most people do not study it in enough depth and detail to find it and draw understanding from it.

Dr. Don Dean

My point was the issue of a woman divorcing a man who abuses her. I'm pretty sure the bible doesn't allow for it. But if I am to be corrected, please point me to the verse. thx.

 

[Swordman007]

My point was the issue of a woman divorcing a man who abuses her. I'm pretty sure the bible doesn't allow for it. But if I am to be corrected, please point me to the verse. thx.

Actually, the word of God does not make allowances for a woman to divorce her husband. When a man ceases to provide for a woman her food, raiment, and his duty of marriage to her, then she is free to go. Protection from assault and harm is a part of a husband's duty to his wife. If he becomes her assailent, then he is more than doubly at fault. I realize that does not deal with our legal system of marriage, but then our legal system of marriage is not at all a moral consideration. Study the context of Exod. 21:10, and perhaps this will become more aparent. The Lord is not so heartless toward women that He would leave them defenseless against such men.

Don