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The idea that Jesus taught “only one reason for divorce,” and that no divorce is achieved unless it is executed for that reason, is totally absurd! This doctrine has numerous hermeneutical problems and benefits no one but the devil, who is the author of it (1 Tim. 4:1-3).
First, before one can accept the teaching noted above he must accept that Jesus contradicted an established law while he was under that law and was expected to follow it and teach it. Obviously, he made no such contradiction. According to what he said before he said anything about this issue he made it clear He the Law would remain intact until all is fulfilled (Matt. 5:17-31).
Second, one has to accept that Jesus made life WORSE, not only for the woman but also for the man, by changing the law that, when followed, ended a marriage. The divorce law was given for a reason, and it was for all of God’s people for all time.
Third, one has to accept that "APOLUO" (put away), which is PART of the divorce process, is the ENTIRE divorce. But this is silly because this word refers only to separation, which is a common practice among married people--many of whom “reconcile” before actually divorcing and marrying another (1 Cor. 7:10,11).
Fourth, one has to ignore the fact that the adultery the MAN committed was “against her” (Mk 10:11), meaning the woman to whom he was married rather than WITH someone he might marry after the divorce. This is certainly true because the man, in Jesus' day, was allowed to have more than one wife.
Fifth, one has to ignore the fact that God’s law (Deut. 24:1-4) required that the certificate be given for fornication before the woman “may go and be another man’s wife.” If she had the certificate in her hand she had PROOF of her divorce that ended the marriage and freed her to marry.
Sixth, the exception clause was not even about sex in a second marriage but was simply a case wherein the man who merely put away a wife (woman), but did not divorce her according to the Law, would not be guilty of committing “adultery against her” (Mark 10:11). This would be the situation if the marriage was not legal. We have TWO examples of this in the New Testament. Such is most definitely fornication, which is the word Jesus used, rather than adultery.
Seventh, the “only one cause for divorce” doctrine requires that one ignore the fact that Paul, who answered questions asked by Christians on this very matter, never even HINTED of any exception. He did, however, make some very clear statements that also have to be ignored by those promoting "only one cause for divorce":
1) He wrote to the Corinthians, telling them to let every man and every woman have a spouse (1 Cor. 7:1, 2).
2) Regarding the “unmarried,” he stated: “LET THEM MARRY” (Verses 7, 8).
3) He contrasted those “bound” (married) with those “loosed” (divorced) and said the loosed do not sin if they marry (27, 28).
4) He stated that “those who know the Law” (Israel) are married to Christ (Romans 7:4). We know God divorced Israel (Jer. 3:8); yet, since he gave her the certificate, and did not just “put away,” she was free to marry, which she did--and obviously with God’s approval.
Friends, if your standard is the Bible then you have no problem with the passages noted above and the conclusions that are apparent. But if your standard is your tradition then you will reject the above, seek to explain away the clear and unambiguous texts in order to harmonize with your tradition, and attack me for daring to contradict what is precious to you. Do you follow Christ or your tradition? “The true follower of Christ will not ask, ‘If I embrace this truth, what will it cost me? Rather he will say, ‘This is truth. God help me to walk in it, let come what may!’" - A.W. Tozer
RobertWaters@yahoo.com
http://www.totalhealth.bz/marriage-and-divorce.htm
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