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Truth consistently produces positive outcomes when conveyed, while falsehood leads to negative consequences. This analysis examines the positive outcomes of one perspective on divorce and marriage and the negative outcomes linked to another. By exploring these contrasting effects, individuals can better discern which viewpoint aligns with the truth.
Viewpoint #1:
This perspective holds that Jesus teaches a divorced person commits adultery if they remarry. Consequently, adherents call for anyone who has "remarried" to divorce, breaking up their family, and expect them to live the rest of their lives celibate.
Negative Consequences of This View:
- Jesus’ teaching contradicts the Law He was obligated to teach and defend, implying He sinned. This would mean He would not be a proper subject for sacrifice for humanity's sins. No Christian who values truth over tradition can accept this consequence.
- This perspective places divorced individuals in a worse position than the Law, which allows a woman to "go and be another man's wife." The temptation to commit fornication will be significantly increased when God’s tool “to avoid fornication” is taken away (1 Cor. 7:1,2).
- It does not align with the teaching that the New Testament is a "better covenant" (Heb. 8:6).
- This view results in Jesus punishing the innocent for the crimes of others, which the Bible condemns (Prov. 17:26).
- Many people who hear and believe the gospel may turn away due to the unjust, unreasonable, and destructive requirements imposed by this teaching.
- This view has likely caused more division in the church this century than any other doctrine.
- Evangelists are discouraged by this view, as approximately 50 percent of the people they reach with the gospel have experienced divorce, and over 90 percent of these individuals likely will not or cannot break up their homes and live celibately.
- This view contradicts Paul's teachings on various points:
- He included "forbidding to marry" in the "doctrines of devils" (1 Tim. 4:1-3).
- Paul commanded the Corinthians to allow every man and woman to have a spouse (1 Cor. 7:1-2).
- Regarding the "unmarried" (since divorce ends a marriage), Paul instructed, "Let them marry" (1 Cor. 7:8-9).
- Paul distinguished between those “bound” (married) and those “loosed” (divorced), stating that the "loosed" do not sin if they marry (1 Cor. 7:27-28).
- This perspective suggests that Moses taught what God did not approve of and that Paul contradicted Jesus.
- It implies that those defending what they claim Jesus taught are dishonest and fail to use sound hermeneutics.
- This view misinterprets Jesus' teachings, which condemned Jewish men who erroneously believed the Law allowed them to divorce for any reason or to send away their wives without a proper divorce.
- It divides families, resulting in children growing up without both parents present in the home as God intended.
Positive Outcomes of View #1:
- While some comfort themselves by believing they are keeping the church pure by excluding those they consider adulterers (1 Tim. 4:1-3), this is only a positive outcome if their teaching is correct. This approach excludes men from fellowship who could otherwise be faithful and successful gospel teachers and leaders in the church.
- Preachers who adhere to tradition may retain their jobs and status among churches that seek to hear only what pleases them (2 Tim. 4:3).
Viewpoint #2:
This perspective asserts that the issues of "marriage, divorce, and remarriage" are timeless teachings from the Old Testament that Jesus and the New Testament apostles did not contradict. It acknowledges that divorce ends a marriage and that subsequent marriage is not considered adultery; as stated, "marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled" (Deut. 24:1-2; Jer. 3:8; Heb. 13:4).
Negative Consequences of This View:
Since this view is faithful to Bible teaching, there are no negative consequences other than what may arise when a preacher or teacher challenges tradition. Such consequences fall into the category of persecution, and Paul wrote, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:12).
**Positive Outcomes of View #2:
- When the truth is taught, the teacher can confidently stand as a true soldier for Christ, donning the "whole armor of God."
- There is no guilt for failing to apply good hermeneutics to study truth.
- Evangelists feel encouraged and more confident in their efforts, knowing that their teachings regarding divorce cases are unlikely to be in vain.
- The church will grow because the divorced are not excluded from fellowship; some may ultimately become great teachers and/or preachers.
- Advocates of this perspective will not carry guilt for disregarding or perverting Paul’s clear teachings to align with viewpoint #1.
- Churches will rejoice as they see individuals forgiven of their sins and added to the church (Acts 2:38-47), welcoming them as they are (1 Cor. 7:17, 20) and sharing the hope of eternal life with God.
- The viewpoint based on scripture allows those in need of marriage to "avoid fornication" (1 Cor. 7:1,2).
- When this view is taught many souls will be saved that would otherwise be driven from the Lord and the church if viewpoint # 1 were taught.
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