Positions on Divorce Amongst Bible-believing Christians

Bible-believing, born-again Christians are unanimous in their desire and support for healthy and successful marriages. They are equally troubled by the widespread rise of divorce occurring in Western society. However, they are divided over what constitutes a biblical marriage and what rules or ethics apply. We are attempting to explain the three most popular views of those who take their faith seriously, and thus the following chart remains under development. Please send your comments and suggestions via the About Us link at the upper right.

	No Divorce, Post-Death Remarriage Only	Except for Adultery	Except for Death Substitutes
Definition	Divorce is never an option and always sin. The marriage bond is only dissolved by physical death of either husband or wife. Remarriage, "in the Lord" is permissible only for widows or widowers. All positions/viewpoints contrary to this vies is the result of excusatory and self-serving handling of the Scriptures. They are the cause, or a least contributory, of the high rates of divorce in society and churches.	Divorce is impermissible, except for "adultery". Why? Because Jesus said so. As found in the King James version of the Bible, adultery is commonly and narrowly understood as non-spousal coitus by either husband or wife. For many, adultery is synonymous with 'sexual affair'. This was the self-deceptive loophole used by Bill Clinton to claim that he only engaged in "inappropriate behavior."	Divorce is impermissible, except for circumscribed events or actions which are valid substitutes for physical death. These actions break the marriage covenant. For Christians, divorce is never an imperative, but a last option within a set of narrowly defined circumstances. Remarriage must always be "in the Lord." Today's high divorce rates are the result of a complex combination of factors, see [1] below.
Basis	Primarily New Testament Epistles The marriage bond was instituted by God in the Garden (Matthew 19:4-6), but is pictured by Paul's analogy of Christ and His Bride. For many of these Christians, marriage is a mystical union, rather than an earthly covenantal institution, and must exclusively conform to Paul's heavenly analogy. Since Christ and His Bride enjoy an indivisible bond and this bond will never be 'positionally' broken, all divorce is thus forbidden. For these Christians, no practical guidance can be gained from Old Testament verses such as Jeremiah 3:8. God's 4,000+ year framework for marriage, divorce, and remarriage is often simply ignored or rationalized away. New Testament verses such as Romans 7:2,3 and 1 Corinthians 7:39 form the exclusive lens [ethical standard] through which all other biblical references to marriage, divorce, and remarriage must be interpreted. However, since Paul was the revelator of the "mystery" i.e. something never before revealed -- the Church, these folks are at a loss to explain how an acceptable understanding of the institution of marriage could existed from the Garden (Genesis) to the Apostle Paul (Pauline Epistles).	Either Old and/or New Testament For this group, the concept of the marriage 'bond' is drawn from either position on the left or the right. While often confused, these believers see Christ's words in the Gospel (e.g., Matthew 5:32 and 19:9) and the teachings in the Epistles as compatible.	Sixty-six Books of the Bible The marriage bond was instituted by God in the Garden. Marriage is first a covenantal institution - e.g., Ezekiel 16:8; Malachi 2:14. Divorce is a formal statement that covenantal death has occurred - e.g., Jeremiah 3:8. This covenantal nature of marriage was never set aside by either Jesus or the Apostle Paul - e.g., Romans 7:1,2. It is trans-dispensational -- i.e., cuts across the various dispensations. Because of the redemptive power of Paul's glorious gospel, he exhorts believers to display the virtuous characteristics [love and obedience] modeled in the relationship between Christ and His Bride - e.g., Ephesians 22,23. However, Paul never taught that physical death exclusively dissolves the marriage bond/covenantal. In the Matthew 5:32 and 19:9, Christ used the word porneia, which encompasses a wider range of illicit sexual behavior than the word moichos, which denotes unlawful intercourse with a non-spouse. Thus, perversions which were punishable by physical death under the Mosaic code (e.g, adultery, incest, sex with in-laws, homosexuality, polygamy, bestiality, channeling/spiritism. Leviticus 20:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 27) are valid substitutes for physical death when a death penalty is not being inforced--for whatever reason. Abandonment is a valid substitute for physical death as well -- 1 Corinthians 7:15.
Various verses and how they are often interpreted.	Matthew 5:32, et al. Christ's teachings on divorce in the Gospels are not applicable to members of the Body of Christ. Matthew 1:19. Joseph was tempted to commit the sin of divorce. Matthew 19:8. Moses' concession was not sanctioned by God. Verse 9 doesn't mean what it says. Or, the fact that Christ used the word porneia infers that he is exclusively addressing the Jewish betrothal period and not those who have fully consummated the marriage bond. 1 Corinthians 7:15. The word translated "bound" does not refer to the marriage bond but to living together. The abandoned believer cannot remarry until the unbeliever has physically died. 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6. "...husband of but one wife" means that elders can be neither divorced nor remarried.	Differences exist as to whether abandonment is a valid basis for divorce - 1 Corinthians 7:15.	Deuteronomy 22:19, 29. Under the Law, punishment for rape was typically death (v 22, 23). However, rape of an unbetrothed virgin required financial restitution to the father AND being denied access to a legal divorce. A part of the retributive punishment of the rapist was being denied access to a legal right. Matthew 1:19. Due to Mary's pregnancy and the logical assumption that she was guilty of porneia, godly Joseph sought legitimate access to a legal right -- divorce. Angelic intervention was necessary to derail Joseph's righteous plan. 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6. "...husband of but one wife" means that elders must maintain a faithful monogamous life, avoiding polygamy, porneia, or moichos (see above).
Assumptions and Problems	Divorce is always sin. There is no such thing as an innocent party and both husband and wife bear equal blame. The so-called marriage covenant cannot be broken. Except in the case of physical death, remarriage of divorcees always results in the sin(s) of adultery. Passages such as 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 are Paul's personal opinion and have little or no value. His comment regarding interpersonal peace in verse 15 should be ignored. Adulterers and sexual perverts will always repent if shown enough Christian love, forgiveness, patience, and long-suffering. For Christians, abandonment by a spouse is always a de facto calling of God to a companionless and celibate life.	Deceit. Adulterers seldom admit their sin. Often, it is impossible to obtain proof which will adequately satisfy outside third parties.	Divorce is the result of death of the marriage covenant. The spouse which has not committed a divorcable offense is the innocent party. Culpability is seldom a 50/50 proposition. Deceit. Sexual perverts seldom admit their sin. Often, it is impossible to obtain proof which will adequately satisfy outside third parties.
Observations	These Christians hold an idealistic dogma that every marital problem and infidelity are resolvable if just one spouse has 'adequate' faith and patience. This is similar to the charismatics' doctrine of healing which always explains God's failure to heal in term of lack of faith. Some of these folks are self-righteous and have a harsh and critical attitude toward those who do not accept their position.
Resolution	Catholics hold to the dogma of annulment granted by their Church. Fundamentalists and non-denominationalists typically practice rebuke, denunciation and separation (typically in that order) toward both those considering divorce or those divorced.
Held by	Catholics, most fundamentalists, and many non-denominationalists and charismatics.	John MacArthur, some Plymouth Brethren
Typical Email Responses	why did you have to remarry? why couldnt you control yourself and remain single as instructed to? why do you now live in continuous sin? a murderer is always a murderer. an alcoholc is always an alcoholic. an adulterer is always and adulterer. you may be forgiven. but, do you ask for forgiveness everytime you have sex with this woman? you should. you have a wife somewhere else and you are sinning against her. you have nothing but excuses and twistings of gods word. i find you and your writing to be one big decption institued by satan to deceive others into thinking sin is ok with god. how pathetic. may god have mercy on you for what you are teaching his children and the example you are setting for others.

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