Christianity, Divorce and the Old Testament

[Blake Bowden]

Do the lessons of the Old Testament still apply to today? I know I wouldn't read Deuteronomy or Leviticus to my kids. There's more drama and violence in those texts than any soap opera or rated-R movie!

Then we have the Divorce issue. In Luke 16:18 Jesus says:
"Every one who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery".

Does that mean every one who is Divorced, including myself, continually lives in sin against God? Not looking for a debate, just insight on this issue.

 

[BryanMaloney]

Divorce is not automatically adultery, divorce and remarriage would be considered adultery. That being said, interpretation beyond this would depend upon ones ecclesiology. For example, if ones church does not recognize "civil" marriage (after alll, why should it--why should Caesar get to dictate what a church accepts), then a civil marriage might not "count"--although this could be abused. Likewise, for pastoral reasons, a church might exercise ekonomia--make an allowance for human weakness. In part, it would depend upon whether or not ones church is (or pretends to be) "strict". For example, if ones church gets all hot and bothered over "evolution" contradicting "Genesis", then it has no right, whatsoever, to permit divorce of any sort and should denounce anyone who divorces and remarries as unrepentant adulterers.

 

[Michael Hatley]

Some do. Parts of Ecclesiastes I feel a strong connection to, both because of Masonry and because my Grandfather dwelled on it.

I think it would be as difficult to take some of it literally as it would be Homer, the Gitas, etc.

 

[jwhoff]

Thomas Jefferson edited the bible and concluded the only things worth keeping in his "Jefferson Bible" was the words and deeds of Jesus Christ. Voltaire claimed that the Old Testament was written by a tribal people for a tribal people. Neither was he partial to the slaughter and pure disregard for the remainder of humanity on the planet at the time.

Editing is as dangerous as wrapping oneself in a flag and claiming God's support with every whim. Still, I wouldn't try to live to the exact rule of the ancient Hebrews. You might get convicted of war crimes, murder in some cases, and lose civil suit after civil suit today.

Let the hardliners live by the creed "an eye for an eye." I'll stick with the teachings from the gift of God to man. If memory serves, he too had a very difficult time with hardliners of the day.

 

[widows son]

Marriage is a sacred thing IMO, religious or not. To me a civil marriage is just as binding as any other contract. However the idea is that you and your significant other are coming together in unity, to opposite polarities coming together on a new life together. Unfortunately things change and so do people. And unfortunately people don't try and work out their problems maturely, especially if children are involved. They always seem to take it the worst, even if it comes out years later. I think it's about making yourself happy. How horrible would your life be, if you were stuck with someone who you knew you couldn't leave? Wouldn't Christ agree that a person deserves to be happy even though they maybe shouldn't of gotten married? People do make mistakes, and people can be very deceiving, especially if they have a motive, and people can wear masks. Not a debate question, just curious.

 

[jvarnell]

Do the lessons of the Old Testament still apply to today? I know I wouldn't read Deuteronomy or Leviticus to my kids. There's more drama and violence in those texts than any soap opera or rated-R movie!

Then we have the Divorce issue. In Luke 16:18 Jesus says:
"Every one who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery".

Does that mean every one who is Divorced, including myself, continually lives in sin against God? Not looking for a debate, just insight on this issue.

Blake I think you always have to look at the Greek it was written in and based on the customs of the time. It does'nt say divorce it says puts away. When I read the words puts away it is singler process on one of the parties part. The word divorce has a plural conitation of both parties mutial consent. So I think if eather of you kick the other to the curb with out consent it is Adultery.

I have not done it but I would look up the word Adultery and its greek meaning.

 

[RedTemplar]

Jesus said He did not come to do away with the Law, but that the Law , through Him, might be fulfilled. This was accomplished when He died on the cross. We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. We all need to glorify God and quit punishing ourselves.

 

[Blake Bowden]

Wonderful responses!

Freemason Connect Premium App