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Truth, when taught, consistently produces good results, while falsehood leads to harmful consequences. This analysis compares the positive effects of one view on divorce and marriage with the negative effects of another, helping readers discern which position best reflects the truth.
Viewpoint #1:
This view teaches that a divorced person commits adultery by remarrying. As a result, its supporters urge those who have remarried to end those marriages, break up their families, and remain celibate for the rest of their lives.
Negative Consequences of This View:
- Jesus' teaching would conflict with the Law He was required to teach and uphold, implying that He sinned. If so, He would not be qualified to serve as the sacrifice for humanity's sins. No Christian who values truth above tradition can accept that conclusion.
- This perspective leaves divorced individuals worse off than under the Law, which permitted a woman to "go and be another man's wife." When God's provision "to avoid fornication" is removed, the temptation to commit fornication is greatly increased (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 portrays Jesus as punishing innocent people for others' sins, a practice the Bible condemns (Prov. 17:26).
- Many who hear and believe the gospel may turn away because this teaching imposes requirements they see as unjust, unreasonable, and destructive.
- This view has likely created more division in the church this century than any other doctrine.
- This view discourages evangelists because about half of those they reach with the gospel have been divorced, and more than 90 percent of them likely will not or cannot break up their homes and remain celibate.
- This view conflicts with Paul's teaching in several ways:
a. Paul identified "forbidding to marry" as one of the "doctrines of devils" (1 Tim. 4:1-3).
b. He instructed the Corinthians to permit every man and woman to have a spouse (1 Cor. 7:1-2).
d. Since divorce ends a marriage, Paul commanded, regarding the "unmarried," "Let them marry" (1 Cor. 7:8-9).
e. Paul distinguished between the "bound" (married) and the "loosed" (divorced), saying the "loosed" do not sin if they marry (1 Cor. 7:27-28).
f. This perspective implies that Moses taught something God did not approve of and that Paul contradicted Jesus.
g. It suggests that those defending what they believe Jesus taught are dishonest and lack sound hermeneutics.
h. It misreads Jesus' teaching, which condemned Jewish men who wrongly believed the Law allowed divorce for any reason or permitted them to send away their wives without a proper divorce.
i. It divides families, causing children to grow up without both parents in the home as God intended.
Positive Outcomes of View #1:
- Some may believe they are preserving the church's purity by excluding those they regard as adulterers (1 Tim. 4:1-3), but this is a positive outcome only if their teaching is true. In practice, it bars men from fellowship who might otherwise become faithful and effective gospel teachers and church leaders.
- Preachers who follow tradition may keep their positions and standing among churches that prefer messages pleasing to them (2 Tim. 4:3).
Viewpoint #2:
This perspective holds that "marriage, divorce, and remarriage" are timeless Old Testament teachings that Jesus and the New Testament apostles did not contradict. It recognizes that divorce ends a marriage and that a later marriage is not adultery, since "marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled" (Deut. 24:1-2; Jer. 3:8; Heb. 13:4).
Negative Consequences of This View:
Because this view is faithful to biblical teaching, it has no negative consequences except those that may follow when a preacher or teacher challenges tradition. Such opposition is 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 truth is taught, the teacher can stand confidently as a faithful soldier of Christ, equipped with the "whole armor of God."
- Teachers avoid the guilt of mishandling truth through poor hermeneutics.
- Evangelists are encouraged and strengthened, knowing their teaching on divorce is not likely to be in vain.
- The church can grow because divorced people are not excluded from fellowship, and some may become strong teachers or preachers.
- Advocates of this view avoid the guilt of disregarding or distorting Paul's clear teaching to support Viewpoint #1.
- Churches can rejoice as people are forgiven and added to the church (Acts 2:38-47), welcomed as they are (1 Cor. 7:17, 20), and given the hope of eternal life with God.
- This scriptural view allows those who need marriage to "avoid fornication" (1 Cor. 7:1,2).
- Teaching this view can help save souls who might otherwise be driven from the Lord and the church by Viewpoint #1.
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