does remarriage = second unpardonable sin

[epistemaniac]

loving each other only fulfills the law if it is done lawfully... that is, it is God's word that defines "love" for us... a person may say that it was "love" that drove him from his wife into the arms of an adulterous affair, but that doesn't really make it "love" at all... we must avoid the situational ethics formula which stamps anything done "in the name of love" as some fulfillment of the law if it in fact breaks the law...

its not a question of whether or not we personally "accept" all divorced and remarried Christian as living in God's law, rather it's a question if God does... does God "accept" the person who claims to be a Christian but beats his wife repeatedly? does God accept the person engaged in constant adultery? the thief? the murderer?

I am not saying that divorce and remarriage doesn't raise some thorny questions, it does. But this fact alone ought not prevent us from holding the marriage covenant up as highly as we can, as high as God does. And there is no question that marriage is devalued in our society, people are getting divorced for all sorts of selfish reasons. But Jesus says "But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery." (Mat 5:32 ESV) Then it seems to be the case that God does not recognize the divorce or the remarriage of persons who are wrongly divorced. Yes, they did not live up to God's expectations. But that is only part of the story, the other part is that He considers the remarriage of those who are unlawfully divorced as not being, itself, lawful. And thus, the 2 persons who are now "married" are not really married at all despite the fact that they may have gone through some civic ceremony where man was joining together what was already joined together elsewhere (to other persons) and thus the person conducting the civic ceremony never had the authority to "put asunder" what God had joined together in holy matrimony. Otherwise Jesus would never have called the resulting remarriage "adultery", as whichever spouse was wrongly divorced from their former spouse is in fact still married to their former spouse, regardless if they went through some second (or third, or fourth......) formal wedding ceremony or not. In the context of a person who is a Christian, they should be reconciled to their spouse, and if not, then they should remain unmarried.
1Co 7:10-11 ESV To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (11) (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife."

On a personal note, I should have added that thankfully my wife continued to attend church during our separation, and she heard a sermon about the covenant nature of marriage, was convicted of her sin and sought to be reconciled with me, and I was only too happy to do so. I realize that this does not always happen and that can make things hard, but then again, we were never promised that the Christian life would be easy, only that He would be with us through it all.

"The pathway is broken
And The signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to

Chorus:
Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will walk through the fire
If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone

So When the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the valley If You want me to"
-- Ginny Owens, If You Want Me To

blessings,
ken

 

[dies-l]

I am not saying that divorce and remarriage doesn't raise some thorny But Jesus says "But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery." (Mat 5:32 ESV) Then it seems to be the case that God does not recognize the divorce or the remarriage of persons who are wrongly divorced. Yes, they did not live up to God's expectations. But that is only part of the story, the other part is that He considers the remarriage of those who are unlawfully divorced as not being, itself, lawful. And thus, the 2 persons who are now "married" are not really married at all despite the fact that they may have gone through some civic ceremony where man was joining together what was already joined together elsewhere (to other persons) and thus the person conducting the civic ceremony never had the authority to "put asunder" what God had joined together in holy matrimony. Otherwise Jesus would never have called the resulting remarriage "adultery", as whichever spouse was wrongly divorced from their former spouse is in fact still married to their former spouse, regardless if they went through some second (or third, or fourth......) formal wedding ceremony or not. In the context of a person who is a Christian, they should be reconciled to their spouse, and if not, then they should remain unmarried.
1Co 7:10-11 ESV To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (11) (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife."

As I have already explained in another post, I think that this is a poor interpretation of Jesus' statements on the issue. But, even if we are to read these passages, as you seem to suggest, literally and as creating some new form of law concerning marriage, let's make sure we get it correct. If Jesus is making a moral pronouncement, then it is improper for a woman to remarry after her husband has divorced her. It would be acceptable, however, for a woman to divorce her husband and then remarry. Also, reading Jesus' as you seem to have done above, it would be impermissible for a man to divorce his wife and subsequently remarry (Matthew 19:9). However, there would be nothing with a man choosing to remarry after his wife divorced him.

IOW, Jesus' teachings on this issue is not about divorce per se, but rather about men divorcing their wives. This is something that is often disregarded completely by those who would use these passages to create a presumption of adultery in remarriage situations. Of course, as I have said and explained before, I don't think a fair and contextual reading of the passages in question support the remarriage = adultery argument.

 

[taku60]

As I have already explained in another post, I think that this is a poor interpretation of Jesus' statements on the issue. But, even if we are to read these passages, as you seem to suggest, literally and as creating some new form of law concerning marriage, let's make sure we get it correct. If Jesus is making a moral pronouncement, then it is improper for a woman to remarry after her husband has divorced her. It would be acceptable, however, for a woman to divorce her husband and then remarry. Also, reading Jesus' as you seem to have done above, it would be impermissible for a man to divorce his wife and subsequently remarry (Matthew 19:9). However, there would be nothing with a man choosing to remarry after his wife divorced him.

IOW, Jesus' teachings on this issue is not about divorce per se, but rather about men divorcing their wives. This is something that is often disregarded completely by those who would use these passages to create a presumption of adultery in remarriage situations. Of course, as I have said and explained before, I don't think a fair and contextual reading of the passages in question support the remarriage = adultery argument.

Also if you take it literally it would mean that Jesus would be changing the mosic law which is outlined in deut 24 which was brought up by the pharisies but Jesus said he did not come to abolish the mosic law of which divorce was apart of it, divorce may not be ideal but God made allowances for it in mosic law because he knew not all of us would get it right so that we were not in perpetual sin. For God did not make most of us eunchs so to suggest we are to live a life of celibacy because our first marriage went awry is not consistant with the character of God and is inconsistant with duet 24.

 

[RMDY]

The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."

Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word..."

Matthew 19:10-11




Just like the disciples of Jesus, we think that this word is harsh, and therefore make excuses to justify remarriage when a husband/wife is still alive. We are using our own wisdom, and not putting our trust in our Lord's word.

 

[Meeker]

Although God does not intend it, and it was not His intention, getting a divorce and remarrying is not something that Jesus cannot forgive, or is unwilling to. He himself said that God does not wish this but it does happen when one partner is unfaithful.

God does lead those who find him, even after they have divorced to someone whom they can stay with as well, because He is a personal God. But God does not want us to divorce.

 

[Ave Maria]

No, there is no second unpardonable sin. And even if there were, it definitely wouldn't be remarriage as remarriage (even after a divorce) is certainly not a sin. What would make you think that anyway? The only unpardonable sin is the sin of final impenitence or the refusing to repent even on your death bed. And personally, I am of the opinion that even though God may not forgive this sin, those who commit this sin will still most likely make it to Heaven after spending time in a Purgatory-like place or something of the sort. I still haven't exactly made up my mind where everyone goes after death or if anyone will go to a place called Hell or not.