Thoughts on Divorce & Remarriage

Divorce and Remarriage:

The Heart of the Matter

A Roadmap based upon Scriptural ExaminationBy Pastor John Fehlen

2Divorce and remarriage are messy. Really messy. Likewise, so is the Bible in its coverage of thesesubjects. Very messy. It is no simple feat to reconcile all the components, nuances, variances, andexceptions in regards to divorce and remarriage found within the Word of God. Interestingly, thereferences are small in number and yet weighty in their implications and highly varied in their interpretations. These various views and understandings have been historically entrenched within theChristian community, which has led to endless debate.J. Vernon McGee asserts, “that divorce is one of the most controversial subjects that any Bibleteacher has to deal with today because there is confusion as to what the Bible really says on that problem, and there is a great difference and wide diversity of interpretation.”

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From a pastoral perspective there is an additional level of indistinctness because each and every situation brings with it asignificant amount of personal history. There is always ‘more to the story’ because everyone knows ittakes ‘two to tango’. How does one deal with such ambiguity?Did we not see this mess coming? Genesis 3 seems to allude to relational conflict as a result of thefall of humanity. From that point on nothing would be ‘cut and dry’. Life in general and marriagespecifically would be convoluted. The sanity and order enjoyed in the Garden of Eden was replaced withchaos, hurt, and brokenness after that fateful day at the fruit tree. How does one minister with biblicalintegrity when relationships are in such flux? How does one avoid a mechanical application of a fewBiblical rules to very complex marital situations?Unfortunately the Bible is not completely clear on issues of divorce and remarriage, making itdifficult to create a firm, linear structure and airtight theology. Therefore, the goal of this research is todevelop a flexible pathway for pastoral ministry to those that have been affected by divorce and/or remarriage. This, of course, is dangerous ground to be treading. Much is left to open interpretation, best

3guesses, and resultantly poor theology. Rob Bell insists that “God has spoken and everything else iscommentary.”

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Indeed God has spoken in His Word, but admittedly His words leave us with much tocomment upon…and disagree about. The intention of this document is to try to carefully navigatethrough the various big voices on the topic of divorce and remarriage and attempt to discover the ‘heartof the matter’. Scholarly documentation, both theological and historical, will be utilized and yet the purpose of this work will be to get the conversation back to the heart of the matter, much like Jesusattempted to do.The heart of the matter goes beyond the Law of Moses. The heart of the matter goes deeper thanthe Pharisaical challenges and tests. The heart of the matter reshapes the Corinthian line of questioningto Paul. This research seeks to humbly serve as a guiding document in the local church context where somany of the painful stories are heard and prayed through. Divorce touches

hearts

and this document,though theological at its depths, strives to be pastoral in its reach. Much like the ministry of the averagelocal church, the principal focus of this research will be that of the

believer

: divorce, remarriage and the people of God. Two fundamental questions will serve as guiding points: First, is a Christian believer ever justified in seeking a divorce? Secondly, once divorced, can a Christian believer remarry?Consideration will be given to three main views regarding divorce and remarriage as well as a review of the primary scriptural passages in the Old and New Testaments. This research will strive to distill the points of agreement found in the historical views and scriptural passages as well as the pastoralimplications. The conclusion of this research will address what is believed to be ‘the heart of the matter’on this subject.

God’s Bottom Line

God hates divorce.

Malachi 2:16 implores Israel to “guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.” Indeed Scripture, history, and our current realities assure us, that despite God’s feelings on the