052: Divorce & Remarriage - 1-N-Done

In this 1-N-Done episode, I summarize my research on the Biblical teaching regarding divorce and remarriage. I’ve structured the episode around four principles:

1.       Marriage was intended to be a life-long union between one man and one woman.

2.       Divorce is always due to human sinfulness, but is morally permissible in certain circumstances

3.       The death of a spouse justifies remarriage

4.       A justified divorce justifies remarriage (for the innocent spouse). An unjustified divorce prevents remarriage (for both spouses). 

Here is my condensed summary of the position I articulate:

The OT teaching on divorce and remarriage is instructive (Genesis 21:12; Exodus 21:10-11; Deuteronomy 22:13-19,28-29; 24:1-4; Ezra 10:2-12; Jeremiah 3:8; Hosea 2:2; Malachi 2:13-16), but Jesus’ teaching supersedes all regulations contained in the Mosaic law because Jesus’ teaching returns us to God’s intention for marriage rather than the law’s concessions for divorce rooted in the hardness of human hearts (Matthew 5:32; 19:3-9). Jesus taught that God intends for marriage to endure for a lifetime (Matthew 19:4-6). All divorce is prohibited except in cases involving sexual sin (Matthew 5:32; 19:9). In such cases, the innocent party has the moral permission to divorce the sinning spouse and remarry (Matthew 5:32; 19:9). Divorce for any other reason is morally wrong, and remarriage following an unjust divorce is considered adulterous (Matthew 5:32; 19:9). The sin of remarriage does not constitute actual adultery any more than the sin of lust constitutes actual adultery (Matthew 5:27-32). The sin of remarriage is lesser than, but similar to the sin of adultery. We might call it adultery-lite. 

Jesus’ teachings apply to everyone, including the repentant and new converts. God will forgive those who wrongly divorced, but that forgiveness does not give them moral permission to commit the additional sin of remarriage. They must remain single or reconcile to their spouse. Those who have committed both the sin of divorce and remarriage must confess both sins to God, but can and should remain married. They were morally wrong to contract the second marriage, but once contracted, it is a real marriage and it would be morally wrong to end it in divorce.

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