How does the Christian Church deal with divorce? The statistics use to say that a marriage had a better chance to survive in the church. Today the numbers are almost equal with society.
What do we do with passages like the following?
Malachi 2:16 - "I hate divorce," says the Lord God of Israel
NIV
Matthew 1:18-19 - 18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
NIV
Matthew 5:31-32 - 31 "It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.
NIV
What does the church say today about Divorce?
Posts
When Quoting Scripture Inflicts Harm
6 years ago
2 comments:
Having never been divorced I cannot really say. Seems the catholic church says it is OK if THEY say so thru a priest (from what friends tell me).
Most churches I have been at say it is wrong but yet look the other way with the issue. Look at how many people in the church are divorced these days. It is a horrible witness IMO. From what I have seen of the divorces, is that most of it is career related issues. Jobs are more important than families these days as everyone just "have to have" the big houses and cars, and toys.
We had problems (OK *I* was the problem) during our 5th year that were so serious we came close to splitting. Thankfully my wife made me go to counseling with her and we were able to work things out (I just say yes dear a lot...ha ha). Key word here for me is compromise (not faith, but issues.... what is worth arguing over).
Our first year of marriage was a shock as I had been on my own for quite a while and was used to pretty much doing what ever I wanted whenever I wanted to. Having someone around me all the time drove me NUTS at times. Especially when it came time to go fishing and SHE did not want to go and she felt I should not go. I guess by that 5th year, I had enough of it.
The one thing that was missing at the time we were really struggling in our marriage I might add is that we had quit going to church. THAT IMO is what was killing our relationship to a big degree. The other issue in our lives then was infertility issues. It did not bother me, but the female of our specie seems to take it more seriously and I did not understand what the big deal was about not being able to have kids. So we opted for adopted! :-)
Mike
Personaly haven't been in this situation myself, though my spouse was. So from the stated scripture I fall somewhere in that mix?? If children are involved, should be avoided if possible, but if daily friction is there, then that doesn't benefit the children either. If the church was only for the Saints, wouldn't be anyone in it, would it?? Marriage, should not be entered into lightly, should be longly considered both emiotionaly and if not more so from a mental assesment. More time spent thinking about anything before reacting perhaps would offset some challenges. Then again marriage is a constant learning, experience. Training for a marathon is not easy, or else everyone would be doing everyweekend!
Response to Mike and others in general- Life is made up of both genders each bring pros/cons into the relationship. I get a little tired of what I percieve many times as generally assuming it's always the males that contribute to the negative aspects of marriage/relationships. This is 2009, the 1950s family unit/structure social economic makeup is GONE. Bringing with it even more complexities to relationships.
Don't mean to bash, but wanting to given another voice.
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