Divorce and the Bible Essays

Historically, divorce was viewed as a sin and was prohibited because religious beliefs and doctrines viewed marriage as a Holy

The Bible, has also created a conflict amongst Christians. In Exodus 21:10, it states that, "If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights." In further chapters, such as 1 Corinthians 7:2 , it states that," . . . each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. " Infidelity has gotten to the point where people truly believe that they can have their cake and eat it

The modern family is a family who associates with each other but they do not spend an efficient amount of time with each other as a priority and often puts themselves before each other. According to Kingslover, “That it selfishly puts personal happiness ahead of family integrity.” Kingslover is talking about divorce and he puts it into practical words that makes others think about what divorce is. In today’s world, divorce is very common and is sad, because according to the Bible when the decision is made to get marries, the two people have to work things out. Matthew 5:31-32,“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” This verse is what most people today are doing. They are having sexual affairs with other people and then get a divorce and that is a sin. They also are looking to television shows as the fairy tale marriage and expecting marriage to be just like what is shown on tv. Divorce was something taken seriously but now it is a common way for people who want out. Sinning is very common today, from lying, stealing, adultery and murder. These are all sins that are becoming middling each and every day. What kind of world is the world turning into? It is scary to think about and to think about what the world is going to be like in 25

In the dictionary divorce is described as the following: A judicial declaration dissolving a marriage in whole or in part; one that releases a husband and a wife from all matrimonial obligations.2 Although, divorce in the Bible is described as something that God detest, it is also something that God does allow under special circumstances. In the Old Testament, men abused those special circumstances and obtained divorces from their spouses under ridiculous circumstances. In the New Testament, Jesus makes it very clear on what are the circumstances that God does allow a divorce to take place, but He does not say that it’s a mandatory issue.

Whereas the Christian views on divorce are that marriage is for life. People take vows for better or worse so if they meant that then there should be no divorce. For instance the Roman Catholic Church believe there shouldn’t be any divorce unless the marriage has not been consummated or they are willing to get a divorce with the

In the Old Testament of the Bible, divorce by definition is the termination of marriage caused by sin that entered the world (“Divorce.”). The Old Testament, along with the overall sovereignty of God, were the roots of Puritan living. Malachi 2:16 says that “For I, the God of Israel, hate divorce.” (“Divorce.”). Marriage was known as a sacred contract tied profoundly with God. With this being said, the Puritans heavily frowned upon divorce. It was a shameful act, although permissible when under certain circumstances.

The interesting thing I find most interesting in the assignment reading this week from Moyer Hubbard, in his book, A narrative Introduction Christianity in the Greco-Roman World. The topic of the adultery and divorce was really hit me bad because it was common practice in the Roman world. Hubbard states, “Divorce was widespread in the Roman world of the first century. Also, divorce, was easier and more common during the first century than the century before, despite the legislation enacted by Augustus attempting to curb the divorce rate. By the New Testament era, either spouse could initiate divorce, though in the imperial period this was the prerogative of the husband” (Hubbard 184) Divorce is a lifestyle and not just a mere experience that someone may have had. What also stuck out to me was there is no body there to counsel individuals about marriage benefits and where Christian gets the ideas of marriage counseling from?

Throughout the Bible the four gospel writers talk about being loyal to your spouse. What these writers talk about also refers back to the tenth commandment. The tenth commandment states that thou shalt not commit adultery. When God gave Moses these ten commandments on Mount Sinai he wanted all people to follow these commandments as a set of laws and if you were to break these commandments your friendship with God will

In Mark 10:1-12, the Pharisees test Jesus by questioning whether divorce is lawful. Jesus first tells the Pharisees to remember what Moses commanded them. Then, he recalls God’s original intentions around marriage by talking about the beginning of time, stating that from the beginning God made male and female to join and become one flesh that no one can separate. Later, the disciples ask Jesus again about this matter. Jesus teaches that if a man or woman divorces and remarries, he or she is committing adultery. In Matthew 19:3-12, the Pharisees test Jesus with their questioning on marriage and if it is lawful to divorce for any cause. First, Jesus notes that from the beginning male and female were made to become one flesh joined by God that no one can separate. Then, the Pharisees question why Moses commanded them to give a certificate of dismissal and divorce. Jesus responds that because the Israelites were hard-hearted, they were permitted to divorce. Jesus tells the Pharisees they shouldn’t divorce, unless it is due to unchastity. Then, the disciples ask if it is better not to marry. Jesus responds by saying accept this law about marriage or remain single if celibacy is not too hard. In Luke 16:18, Jesus teaches that it is adultery to divorce your wife and remarry, and it is adultery to marry a woman who has divorced her husband.

In the world today, many men and women believe divorce is always a dreadful thing that occurs, but there is actually a beneficial side to it. Divorce has been around for many years and mainly just men were the only ones capable to make the decisions. Until, The Guardian states,” The 1857 Matrimonial Causes Act allowed ordinary people to divorce.” Under this new law, it was capable for women to make the decision, they just had to prove the facts to withhold a divorce. Following 1857, in 1923 there was a private member’s bill that allowed women to petition for a divorce for adultery. However, it only made it a little bit easier, they still needed to prove the reason. A few years later, they were able to pass another law, this law allowed divorce

Adultery is defined by the catholic church as a “carnal connection between a married person and one unmarried, or between a married person and the spouse of another.” In simple terms, it means having sexual relation with another person outside of one’s own marriage. Since the marriage of a man and a woman is bound by God, a marriage can never be separated. Therefore, both adultery and divorce go against the natural law of man instituted in creation. These sins, especially adultery, undermine the dignity of marriage and go directly against the sixth commandment. Chastity is also extremely important in preserving the sanctity of marriage. Many believe that chastity is only a part of living a good Christian life if you are not married, but chastity can extend to marriage as well. In married people, chastity moderates the desire in conformity with their state of life, marriage. Physical acts that go against our call to chastity in marriage include masturbation, polygamy, and oral or anal

Jesus explains in Matthew 19:8 and Mark 10:5 that the Mosaic concession with regard to divorce was due to man’s hard-hearted rejection of the creational mandate of Genesis 2:24. Moses’ regulations for divorce and remarriage only make sense if divorce was occurring both frequently and often for selfish and trivial reasons. The fundamental concern of the text is that by divorcing a woman, a man forces her into a position of defilement if she remarries. Thus, the primary purpose of the legislation is to place a restriction on the woman’s first husband and prevent this abomination from occurring in Israel. Contextually, the case in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 falls within the section in which Moses selects sample laws to illustrate the nature of the requirements of living under the Sinaitic Covenant. The situation described in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 coheres with the seventh commandment: You shall not commit adultery. This command and prohibition serves to protect the sacredness of the marriage relationship. In the light of this, the most probable explanation for limitation on remarriage in the event of divorce in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 was to discourage divorce among the Israelite people and deepen their understanding of the true nature of the marriage

Divorce is the suspension of the marital coalition under the terms legally summoned by the court. The couple is then set free of their obligations towards each to other

I believe that divorce is derived from many different reasons that may be controllable and uncontrollable. Although I do not believe, divorce is the only options for a couple I think they should weigh their options very clearly for a lengthened period to make sure that they have not made a mistake. I also believe that Christian laws for divorce are very detrimental, they do not allow for many other reason that cause divorce. Furthermore, I believe that one can only be held accountable for their own actions and that is why marriage is depicted off faith. However, I think Christianity should broaden their thoughts on divorce, as I do not believe that God would command that his followers live an unhappy life.

He stipulates that man must love give himself to his wife, as Jesus gave Himself to the Church.