"...Prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people."
Isaiah 57:14
Is the traditional teaching on divorce and remarriage, which is the common doctrine that divorced persons commit adultery if they marry, really true? Or is it what Paul condemned with the phrase "forbidding to marry" and which he called "doctrine of devils?" The real truth can only be found in the Bible – not in tradition. A person put away (apoluo) is a person separated – not divorced. Most who claim to be telling the "plain truth" on MDR use Matt. 5:32 and Matt. 19:9, but never mention 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 1 Cor. 7:1,2; 7,8; 27,28; 36; Deut. 24:1-2, Jeramiah 3:8 and Romans 7:4. In their studies teachers fail to note the fact that Jesus could not have flatly contradicted the Law, which allowed divorced women to marry (Deut. 24:1-2; Mark 10:4). The key to understanding this controversial subject is to discard any theory that does not harmonize with the marriage, divorce and remarriage texts. Only if proper hermeneutics is used can the truth be found.
If you question man's teaching on this controversial subject as being contrary to the nature and justice of God, punishing innocent persons i.e., forbidding to marry, it is crucial that you give the view presented here a fair hearing. Here I present to you biblically sound articles, sermons, debates and sources for information regarding this subject. The exception clause that Jesus gave "except it be for fornication" is explained in a way that makes perfect sense yet does not require breaking up marriages and imposing celibacy on anyone.
One does not have Total Health if his life is made miserable and his faith shattered because he is told he must remain celibate the rest of his life. Not only is the traditional doctrine damaging to mental health but it can also damage spiritual and physical health as well. The apostle Paul said: "But because of the desires of the flesh, let every man have his wife, and every woman her husband." (1 Cor. 7:2). To take marriage away from anyone is to take away God's tool for avoiding fornication – something only the devil authorizes; thus beware of teachings contrary to that of the inspired apostle Paul who says, regarding the unmarried, "let them marry" (1 Cor. 7:8,9).
|
