Divorce and Remarriage According to The Bible
The Bible is filled with insightful guidance on divorce and remarriage. It contains numerous passages that deepely influence Christians’ views on marriage, including the topics of divorce, annulment, and polygamy. This article will explore how the Bible speaks to Christians about these matters, by looking at the teachings of Jesus, the Apostle Paul and other scripture.
Jesus spoke of divorce as an exceptional circumstance, as explained in the Sermon on the Mount. He said that Moses had allowed for the practice to prevent sin in marriage and that it was never intended to be a regular occurrence within the Jewish tradition. Jesus said, “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate” when speaking of marriage and its unity.
The Apostle Paul strongly disapproved of divorce in his letters and concluded that the best course of action was to remain in an unhappy marriage. He said, “If any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away.”
These passages help to show that the Bible considers divorce to be an unwelcome decision, but not a sin. This is supported by the Old Testament, which includes passages that allow for divorce, such as Deuteronomy, “When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some unseemly thing in her, then he shall write her a certificate of divorce, put it in her hand, and send her out of his house.”
Though divorce may be allowed, it is still viewed as a major failure on behalf of the relationship between husband and wife. This is because the Bible speaks of marriage as a covenant between two people that should be enduring. Therefore, divorce and remarriage is often discouraged by those who Follow Christian teachings if the divorce was not caused by sin, infidelity, or abuse.
The Bible also speaks on polygamy, which is the practice of having more than one spouse. This was not a common practice in the early days of the Christian faith, however it has been sanctioned in some denominations as a way of empowering women in certain situations. The Bible does not specifically prohibit polygamy and it is not seen as a sin. However, the Bible speaks negatively of some of theworldly benefits of polygamy, such as avoiding labor, marrying for power, marrying multiple spouses simply for the pleasures of it, and oppressing those of the opposite sex.
So, what does The Bible say about divorce and remarriage? It is clear from scripture that marriage is a lifelong commitment that should be defended. While God does allow for the dissolution of a marriage in particular cases, He views divorce as a sign of the failure of a relationship, and He strongly encourages couples to make every effort to maintain their marriage.
Laws and Restrictions
In general, the Bible sets a few guidelines that judges and law makers have relied upon when making decisions about divorce, annulment and remarriage. Ten of the most important of these laws include:
- Divorce or separation from a spouse must be done in a civil and lawful manner.
- If a couple chooses to remarry, it must be done from an individual who is legally divorced from their former spouse.
- If a spouse commits adultery, the offended party has the right to choose to forgive or not.
- Divorce is permissible when a spouse has committed adultery.
- Divorce is permissible only when the other spouse has deserted the relationship.
- In cases of domestic violence or abuse wives are allowed to separate from their abusive husbands.
- Gently encourages couples to attempt reconciliation.
- Divorce and remarriage is never to be done lightly, with couples advised to remain with their current spouses if possible.
- An annulment can be granted in cases of fraud or if an impediment to the marriage is discovered.
- If a spouse dies, the remaining spouse is allowed to remarry.
These guidelines are based upon long-standing Biblical principles and are designed to protect and recognise the sanctity of marriage.
The Impact of Divorce and Remarriage on Children
One of the most significant consequences of divorce and remarriage is the impact it has on children, making them subject to multiple shifts in family dynamics and the complexities of step-parent relationships. More often than not, the divorce of their parents and the subsequent remarriage of one of the parents causes deep emotional distress to the children. This can lead to tendencies such as withdrawing socially, exhibiting anger towards family members, and underperforming in school.
The effects vary and depend on the timing, as well as the level of conflict between the parents. Research has shown that when parents argue, shout, or otherwise argue in front of their children, the impact on the children’s mental health and development could be long-lasting and deep-rooted. Additionally, divorce is often the cause of a child losing one set of parents or the other, or both, and the resulting trauma can be severe and severe.
In cases where the parents are able to maintain a cordial relationship and can provide a sense of normalcy for their children, the effects of divorce and remarriage can be somewhat mitigated. This does not mean that the children’s feelings of anger, confusion, and heart-rending sadness will be reduced, but their effects can be alleviated. Ultimately, it is important for any family who is living or making the transition from divorce and remarriage to be aware of the potential long-term effects that this adjustment will have on their children.
Guidance & Support Services
Fortunately, there is a growing network of support services in churches and other organizations that provide guidance to families who are facing the challenges of divorce, remarriage, and the resulting adjustments within the family. In addition to these professional services, the church community often provides an outlet for families to discuss the issues of divorce, remarriage, and parenting with others who have dealt with the same issues.
These services can be invaluable in helping couples and parents deal with their feelings and emotions, developing skills to handle problems, focusing on the positive aspects of the situation, and learning practical coping strategies. Support services may also provide pre- and post-divorce counseling sessions to assist couples in transitioning to their new life.
Divorce and remarriage can be viewed from a negative or positive perspective. While it can certainly bring pain, trauma and challenges to those involved, it can also be seen as an opportunity for personal growth and for developing stronger relationships in the long run. Regardless of how one views divorce and remarriage, it is important to remember that the main focus should be on protecting and caring for the needs of children.
Biblical Alternatives to Divorce
If a married couple is considering divorce, there are alternatives that they can look to as they try to resolve their issues. For example, the Bible encourages couples to keep their vows to each other and make every effort to reconcile. Additionally, the couple may look to the church for guidance and assistance in working through their issues.
The couple may also decide to seek out professional counseling or mentoring to help work through issues in the marriage. The Bible encourages appropriate and timely mediation in marriage difficulties in an effort to resolve the situation and the relationship. Even though there are Biblical alternatives to divorce, couples are never required to stay in an abusive or dangerous situations.
Finally, while the Bible may not explicitly condone divorce, it provides painful insight into the sad reality of breaking apart a marriage. As such, it encourages couples to make every effort to preserve their marriage before resorting to divorce as a last resort.
Practical Considerations
Before deciding to pursue either divorce or remarriage, couples should consider the following practical factors: counseling, finances, legalities, housing, children and visitation, and community. It is important for couples to be aware of the potential costs and legal complications of divorce or remarriage. Additionally, couples must take into consideration the arrangements for their children and any potential childcare obligations. Finally, it is important to consider the impact of these decisions on the wider community.
Divorce and remarriage can be an emotional and practical strain on any family making the transition. While these considerations should be taken into account, couples should not forget the emotional toll and personal implications of the decision. Questions to ask oneself before making the final decision include: Does this decision make me and my family happier, safer and healthier? Is it in the best interests of my children? Is it really worth the emotional cost?
Ultimately, it is important to remember that the Bible views marriage as a special covenant between two people that should be dissolved only in exceptional circumstances. For couples who are considering a divorce or a remarriage, it is important to take into account the spiritual, emotional, and practical implications of their decision.
