A Comparison Of Differenct Views On

Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage

    The purpose of this study is to look at various views on the subject of marriage, divorce and remarriage and briefly comment on them based on what the Bible says (with special emphasis on Matthew 19:3-9). They will be presented in order from the most conservative to the most modern.

1. "There is no reason, scripturally, for any divorce." This view says that what Jesus was doing in passages like Matthew 19 is explaining the Old Testament teaching, whereas the New Testament says nothing about divorce. The problem with that idea is that Jesus is going beyond the Old Testament when in verse 9 He says "And I say to you" in contrast to the law of Moses.

2. "Divorce is permitted, but any remarriage is forbidden." This view ignores the completeness of Matthew 19:9 while accepting part of it. Logically, the converse of verse 9 must be true: whoever divorces his wife for sexual immorality and marries another does not commit adultery. If the exception will permit a scriptural divorce then a scriptural remarriage is also permitted.

3. "The one scriptural reason for divorce (putting away a mate) and remarriage is sexual immorality." Though this is too narrow for some it is the simplest view of Matthew 19:9, taking no strain, on any of the words. The hardheartedness of the Jews agreed neither with God's law from the beginning or the Lord's way in the future.

4. "Yes, any divorce but for sexual immorality is sin. But baptism is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Therefore, baptism sanctifies an unscriptural marriage." But, baptism has never made sin into righteousness. And while baptism is for the forgiveness of sins, Acts 2:38 says it is for those sins of which we repent. Would baptism sanctify a homosexual marriage? No. It must be stopped. Adultery is no less sexual immorality. An adulterous marriage, too, must be stopped, if the repentance is genuine.

5. "In 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 the apostle allows desertion as a reason for divorce. If a Christian is deserted by their spouse no bond is there and they are free to remarry." The passage is not talking about desertion but divorce, about not complicating the situation even more, and the "not under bondage" is not freedom to remarry but free from the responsibilities to that husband. But, simply put, whatever view we take of 1 Corinthians 7 must not contradict Matthew 19. If we accept desertion as a reason for divorce and remarriage this would contradict what the Lord says in Matthew 19:9.

6. "Both parties are free to remarry if there is sexual immorality." This view, sometimes called the "libertarian" or "one is loosed, both are loosed" idea says that the marriage bond is broken and, therefore, is gone, freeing those involved, innocent and guilty, to remarry as they please. It completely ignores Matthew 19:9.

7. "Divorce is permitted for any legal cause. Marriage laws are determined by the law of the land." When God's will and man's laws come into conflict the people of God must follow Him. Romans 13's respect for rulers is not saying to follow government no matter what it says. Here man's ideas crash against Matthew 19. Consider how John the Baptist told the lawmaker King Herod that his adulterous marriage was not right (Matthew 14:1-12).

8. "There is no reason necessary at all for divorce." This is the view of American law today. Even "no fault divorce" has given way to the softer language of the "dissolution" of marriage, dismissing the Bible, though some will perhaps say that "God is love" but dismiss what He says about marriage, saying His love will not hold it against them.

9. "Divorce should be encouraged as a tool to promote happiness in life if such is the answer to problems." Some counselors, even some religious counselors, suggest putting a marriage away if things can't be worked out or even as a way to work things out for the happiness of all. Divorce, contrary to Matthew 19:9, is now considered just another tool for happiness instead of a sin.

10. Some churches offer a "divorce ceremony." To make those who are divorcing feel better, and to remove any stigma about the divorce, and to help them get through a difficult time, some denominations are offering church recognition and sanction of the divorce in a ceremony somewhat like, but the opposite of, a wedding. And so, modern answers to what are wrongly thought to be modern problems ignore Matthew 19.

    In conclusion, we may observe that sometimes discussion is made as to what constitutes marriage or how marriage is to be defined. Various views are expressed: marriage is a legal thing, or it is the sexual relationship, or it is actually living together. Usually, we come around to the view that at its basis, marriage is an agreement or vow or promise between a man and a woman before God. But we should include eligibility for marriage if we are looking at the matter from the point of view of the Bible. This would mean that those allowed to marry are those who either have never been married, or those whose spouse is dead, or the innocent party in Matthew 19:9's exception (who has put away his/her mate for fornication). This will help us to do God's will, and not to do what is often so heart-wrenching to undo.

---Robert Hines

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