Divorce
()
About this ebook
The subject of divorce and remarriage is a very difficult and complicated one, made so in part because of the great variety of human situations involved, but primarily so because the Scriptures bearing on this subject are not always as definite and clear-cut as we might like. Precisely what is commanded or what is implied in Scripture is in several instances a matter of dispute, not only between church members but also between theologians and even between denominations. The result is that this subject has become one of the seriously controversial issues of our day. Individual opinions tend to be formed, not only on the basis of what the Scriptures say, but also on the basis of past training and personal attitudes, so that some people are much more strict in their views than others. We must, therefore, take care that in any particular case we neither approve nor disapprove without making a careful inquiry into the facts.
CrossReach Publications
Read more from Loraine Boettner
The Trinity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Harmony of the Gospels Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Reformed Doctrine of Predestination [Fifth Edition] Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Divorce Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsImmortality Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Inspiration Of The Scriptures Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Person of Christ Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Christian Attitude to War Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Atonement Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Christian Attitude to War Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsImmortality Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsImmortality Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Divorce
Related ebooks
Divorce Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Revision Revised Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMan of the First Hour: A Son's Story Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Discovery of Glorious Love Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPreventing Ministry Failure Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Church, the Scriptures, and the Sacraments (Volume 28) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGlorious Remembrance: The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper as Administered in the Liturgy of the Reformed Churches Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Brief Bible History: A Survey of the Old and New Testaments Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTorah Story, Second Edition: An Apprenticeship on the Pentateuch Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStranded - Awakening, Book 1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJudah Among the Empires: God's Purposes in Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSalvation to the Ends of the Earth: A Biblical Theology of Mission Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Question of Consensus: The Doctrine of Assurance after the Westminster Confession Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Everlasting Word Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFirst Corinthians, 2nd Ed. Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Resurrected Cosmos: The Drama of Revelation as the Unveiling of New Creation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMatthew Poole: His Life, His Times, His Contributions Along with His Argument Against the Infallibility of the Roman Catholic Church Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings1 Corinthians: A Shorter Exegetical and Pastoral Commentary Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5We with our Children: A Commentary on the Form of Baptism Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Scalpel and the Cross: A Theology of Surgery Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIsaiah: An Introduction and Commentary Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow Can I Grow in Hospitality? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNumbers 1-19 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSketches of the Covenanters Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Better Ending and Other Short Stories for Boys and Girls Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhat Is a Church? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPhilippians: An Introduction and Commentary Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWho is this Rock?: Hearing the Gospel in the Rocks and Stones of Scripture Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Great Concern: Preparation for Death Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Christianity For You
Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5NIV, Holy Bible Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Divorce
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Divorce - Loraine Boettner
1. Statement of the Problem
The subject of divorce and remarriage is a very difficult and complicated one, made so in part because of the great variety of human situations involved, but primarily so because the Scriptures bearing on this subject are not always as definite and clear-cut as we might like. Precisely what is commanded or what is implied in Scripture is in several instances a matter of dispute, not only between church members but also between theologians and even between denominations. The result is that this subject has become one of the seriously controversial issues of our day. Individual opinions tend to be formed, not only on the basis of what the Scriptures say, but also on the basis of past training and personal attitudes, so that some people are much more strict in their views than others. We must, therefore, take care that in any particular case we neither approve nor disapprove without making a careful inquiry into the facts.
There has been a great increase, and from the viewpoint of the church an alarming increase, in the number of divorces in the United States in recent years. The following figures, taken from The World Almanac, 1972, shows quite clearly what the trend has been:
The peak came in 1946, shortly after the close of World War II, with a total of 610,000 divorces, when many hastily made war marriages were being broken up. The present rate of divorces to marriages is about one in four. (And while accurate figures are not available, the number of separations without divorce apparently is equally alarming.) This rapid increase has been due in large measure to the fact that over the years most states have gradually eased their restrictions. At one time it was practically impossible to secure a divorce except on the Scriptural grounds of adultery. Some church authorities understand 1 Corinthians 7:15 as permitting divorce when a Christian believer is deserted by an unbeliever or by a professed church member whose action for all practical purposes are equivalent to those of an unbeliever. But in recent years the courts have come to recognize a number of other reasons, such as ordinary desertion, cruelty (physical or mental), non-support, drunkenness, sickness, crime, etc.
The principal Scripture passages dealing with, or at least having some bearing on, the subject of divorce and remarriage are:
Gen. 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Deut. 24:1–4, When a man taketh a wife, and marrieth her, then it shall be, if she find no favor in his eyes, because he hath found some unseemly thing in her, that he shall write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. 2) And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife. 3) And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house: or if the latter husband die, who took her to be his wife; 4) her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before Jehovah; and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
Matt. 5:31–32, It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement; 32) but I say unto you, that everyone that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery.
Matt. 19:9, And I say unto you, whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery; and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery.
Mark 10:11–12, And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against