Considering that God's laws are not intended to keep people in an evil place but rather to keep people from getting into evil places, and considering that Jesus gave distinct liberty for divorce and remarriage in particular situations (Matt 5:32, 19:9), why does so much of Christianity rigidly demand couples at their wedding to vow to refrain from any other marriage or mate as long as they both shall live? Technically this does not give one liberty to divorce and remarry, even for the cause of fornication, as Jesus allowed.
Note, by this I do not mean to encourage careless divorce and remarriage.
2006-11-12 08:55:34 · 14 answers · asked by truthseeker 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus didn't condone divorce. He hated it.
He went on to explain that Moses allowed for divorce in the case of adultery only because of the hardness of the hearts of the Israelites.
God would have never condoned such a thing.
Neither should his new covenant church.
2006-11-12 09:39:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, Laws in the Bible are meant to set a standard of perfection (thereby showing man's imperfection). It declares what is right so that we have a guide in knowing what we are doing wrong. Laws do not take us from an "evil place", they merely show us how we got there, but I'm diverging from the main question, so I'll get to it.
Jesus does give reasons for divorce, but one should note the nature of these reasons. Matthew 5:32 says, "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." Here the only reason divorce is allowed is for adultery. Matthew 19:19 doesn't say anything about divorce, so I'm not really sure what you are drawing from there. In Paul's epistles, the only other reason for divorce that is given is if a Christian's spouse is not a Christian.
My point in highlighting these things is this: Though divorce is allowed, it is limited to only two types of situations, and remarriage is almost always forbidden (except in cases where a spouse dies). Even if one does get divorced for marital unfaithfulness, Christ said that those two should not get remarried, because they would be completely breaking the promise they made to each other (Matthew 5:32 - 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.)
And in the end, that is what it comes down to--Marriage vows, promises. God values promises and He wants us to as well. If we included a "backdoor" exit in our vows by only vowing to love the person as much as we wanteed, then those promises would be worthless.
2006-11-12 09:06:07 · answer #2 · answered by Divinitus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good marriage is a fresh marriage. If your spouse is getting lax, then it is up to you to shake things up and put a bit of life back into the marriage rather than whining about how the magic has faded. Only a deadbeat would refuse to respond. A good marriage should always be seen as 'a work in progress'.
2016-03-28 03:31:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please read the beginning of Mark 5, and it will help you see the answer. Christ quotes Genesis, saying "What God has joined together, let man not seperate." He also continues to explain why the first divorce was given, "because your hearts were hard." In other words, we the people asking Moses for a petition of divorce were stubborn and refused to take no for an answer.
2006-11-12 09:09:32 · answer #4 · answered by Jimmy R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thank you for giving us an example of circular thinking. Your argument answers your own question.
Religious marriage ceremonies seek to reaffirm the marriage vow of faithfulness in the hearts of the couple. So many couples get married for the wrong reasons (usually selfish ones) that it is needful for the church to remind the couple of the life-long commitment that God intended marriage to be.
2006-11-12 09:08:29 · answer #5 · answered by Bobby Jim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd like to know to. I'm divorced and feel very guilty about it. My husband cheated on me. I want to be in God's will but I would like to know what other people think to. Can you show me in the Scriptures what it says for our times of divorce and remarriage?
2006-11-12 09:02:48 · answer #6 · answered by Lynn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The marriage vow is a public acceptance of the marriage contract and has little to do with Christianity, Jesus or God. It's a human invention only.
2006-11-12 09:01:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think Jesus was telling the Jews that divorce was allowed because of the hardness of their hearts, not because it was the best thing for them. It was permissible, but not the best choice available.
2006-11-12 09:04:07 · answer #8 · answered by Morgan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the Marriage Vows are for life as well. Christianity doesn't put an asterisk* in their Pledges.
2006-11-12 09:00:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the church sees in the sacrament of marriage the fidelity of Husband and Wife as the fidelity of mankind to God,and in some sense a man or woman deserting each other is likened to deserting God, as the blessing states, what God has joined let no-one put asunder.
2006-11-12 09:03:22 · answer #10 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋