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Biblical Examinations of Marriage, Divorce, & Remarriage

Explore the emotional and controversial topic of marriage, divorce, and remarriage through a biblical lens. Gain insight into God's perspective, the impact on society, and the role of the church in navigating these relationships.

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Biblical Examinations of Marriage, Divorce, & Remarriage

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  1. Marriage, Divorce, & Remarriage D I V O R C E Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject

  2. Lesson 1 – General Introduction • The kingdom of God is a spiritual domain Jn 18:36 Rom 14:17 • Yet, it exists in a physical realm, and its citizens are engaged in physical relationships Jn 17:15 1 Cor 5:10 • Marriage is one such relationship Mt 22:30

  3. Lesson 1 – General Introduction • Citizens of heaven’s kingdom must operate at a higher level than unbelievers in these physical relationships 1 Cor 5:1 1 Tim 5:8 • Early on we must dispel the false notion – “A marriage/divorce in God’s sight… A marriage/divorce in man’s sight”

  4. Lesson 1 – General Introduction • Statements made to argue marriages and/or divorces are not really marriages and/or divorces • The Scripture never uses this terminology • Even unscriptural marriages/divorces were still called “marriage” and/or “divorce”

  5. Lesson 1 – General Introduction • The “attitudes” brought to this relationship by both the man & woman is critically important • Does their level of respect match how God views their relationship? cp. Heb 13:4 • Our society, as a whole, no longer shares the Divine view of marriage

  6. Lesson 1 – General Introduction • The notions of virginity and staying together, committed to marriage for life are mocked and held in contempt rather than “honor” • As with all sin, we’ve lost our sense of shame Ezra 9:6 Jer 6:15 8:12 1 Tim 2:9

  7. Lesson 1 – General Introduction • We can only conclude a huge shift has occurred re: the paradigm of marriage • The Divine origin of marriage…the family • The Biblical definition of a “family” • The determination to regulate marriage to what is found in the Bible

  8. Lesson 1 – General Introduction • Cultural evidence abounds that Biblical respect for marriage is no longer common • When marriages fail, the “storm” leaves behind a devastating trail of destruction • Spouses wounded often beyond recover • Children left hurting, deprived of a “full-time” parent

  9. Lesson 1 – General Introduction • Local churches, too, are “drawn into the fray” • Evangelistic efforts are often made more difficult • Within churches are occurrences of divorce and remarriage…both scriptural and unscriptural • Differing ideas among brethren are common • Teaching is sought that will conform to particular situations cp. 2 Tim 4:3-4

  10. Lesson 1 – General Introduction • Local churches, too, are “drawn into the fray” • Elderships sometimes must sort out “tangled webs” of brethren, their marriages • When trying to apply Biblical principles re: M/D/R they often long for “Solomon’s wisdom” • They do this to help erring brethren, protect the church 1 Cor 6:9-10 Gal 5:19, 21 1 Cor 5:6-7

  11. Lesson 1 – General Introduction • This subject is extremely sensitive…we’re dealing with life’s most intimate relationship • Hearts have been pledged, opened up • Promises have been made publicly & before God • Expectations have been fairly raised • Our hearts do go out to those who have been deeply wounded by marital unfaithfulness

  12. Lesson 1 – General Introduction • However, we cannot be guided solely by sentiment and emotion • We still must respect and apply what God says in His word • This topic is really not that hard to know • This topic becomes harder when we create all those difficulties by our sinful conduct

  13. Lesson 1 – General Introduction • Our approach in these studies… • MARRIAGE Ù Understanding God’s rules for a successful marriage (For both husband & wife) • DIVORCE Ù Accepting God’s view of divorce as well as seeing the Divine exception

  14. Lesson 1 – General Introduction • Our approach in these studies… • REMARRIAGE Ù An available option for some…not for all Those who do have the right to remarry must still adhere to the Lord’s restrictions

  15. Lesson 1 – General Introduction • Studying what Bible teaches on M/D/R will not be enough • Sadly, we must also examine the doctrines men have invented cp. Mt 15:6 • A necessity because these doctrines result in erroneous conclusions…lead people astray

  16. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • The first human started out all alone • God also reveals to us how He felt about that Gen 2:18 • When the Bible reveals a discussion about marriage, it points back to what took place “at the beginning” cp. Mt 19:8

  17. The Church The Gov’t The Home Gen 14 Rom 13:1-2 Acts 2 Matt 16:18 Gen 2 Matt 19:4,6 God’s 3 “Divine Institutions”

  18. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • The home is God’s first original “Divine Institution” • The home is the training ground for society • It is where we learn our social skills • It is where we learn our civil responsibilities • It is where we learn our spiritual obligations

  19. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • Gen 1:26-27 gives the impression man & woman were created simultaneously • Gen 2 obviously provides more detailed information about God’s creative activities re: man on Day 6

  20. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • It was “not good” Adam was alone Gen 2:18 • Compare to Gen 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31 • This does not suggest God erred re: Adam • It simply emphasizes that God recognized Adam was incomplete…in need of a partner • “Meet” or “Suitable” = corresponding to; comparable; a “help of his (Adam’s) likeness”

  21. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • It was “not good” Adam was alone Gen 2:18 • God did not “parade the animals” before Adam in the hopes he would find his companion • God knew what He was doing • He wanted Adam to realize, after seeing the animals paired off together, how badly he himself needed a companion and mate

  22. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • God let Adam fully experience his loneliness • Even though God’s wisdom was evident within each animal before Adam (Rom 1:18-21), Adam’s companion was not before him • This realization should help “modern man” be more appreciative of the “suitable” helper God has provided cp. Heb 13:4 1 Pet 3:7

  23. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • God put Adam to sleep before creating Eve • God solved Adam’s problem of loneliness without any assistance or interference from man • If given the chance, what kind of “help” would Adam have requested? • Man’s help was made according to Divine wisdom and not according to what man thought, wanted

  24. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • The significance of the first woman is seen in the timing of her appearance • She appeared only after everything was ready • A home Gen 2:8-10 • Provision for her maintenance Gen 2:15 • A husband who needed her, would appreciate her worth Gen 2:19-20

  25. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • Adam’s reaction to his helper Gen 2:23 • He recognized her uniqueness…not like anything he had already seen v. 19 • She was indeed “suitable” or “comparable” • She was “bones of his bones and flesh of his flesh”…an acknowledgement of their likeness and a required loyalty cp. Gen 29:14 Judg 9:2

  26. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • Moses states a universal law for all marriages of all time to be successful Gen 2:24a • Adam had no parents to leave • “For this cause”Ù the Divine purpose for male-female companionship…the necessity of it • So strong is this relationship that it supersedes any ties between parents and children

  27. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • Moses states a universal law for all marriages of all time to be successful Gen 2:24a • There must be a “leaving” A termination or subjugation of an existing loyalty. This “leaving” must be physically, emotionally, and economically.

  28. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • Moses states a universal law for all marriages of all time to be successful Gen 2:24a • There must be a “leaving” In many cases, the problem doesn’t seem to be daughters who haven’t “left” their fathers The problem in many early marriages is that a son has not “left” his mother

  29. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • Moses states a universal law for all marriages of all time to be successful Gen 2:24a • There must also be a “cleaving” To be glued, cemented, or fastened firmly together. This is now the primary relationship. • Other Biblical references where this is quoted Mt 19:5 Mk 10:7-8 1 Cor 6:16 Eph 5:31

  30. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • Man & Woman become “one flesh” Gen 2:24b • This signifies the closeness at which they are to operate, exist, function in their relationship • It certainly includes their sexual intimacy • It would also include their “oneness” in terms of their goals and joint-purposes for all decisions re: their family cp. Jn 10:30 17:11, 21-22

  31. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • The physical “one flesh” Gen 2:25 • There must be present between a husband and his wife a close, physical intimacy • Our bodies are not our own • They belong to our spouses to fulfill legitimate sexual appetites 1 Cor 7:2b-4 • There is no shame in “marriage nakedness”

  32. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • The “Biblical definition” of marriage Gen 2 • This text must be seen as the “primary defining” passage on marriage in all the Scripture • It is where the family has its beginning • It is the reference Jesus used in discussing the topic…alluding to “at the beginning” Mt 19:4 and “from the beginning” Mt 19:8

  33. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • The “Biblical definition” of marriage Gen 2 • This is important because efforts have long been underway & succeeding in “re-defining” marriage • Current social and political events point to this • It is seen in government acceptance when taxes are paid or a census is taken Ù co-habitation • God has other views about this Heb 13:4

  34. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • The “Biblical definition” of marriage Gen 2 • This “re-definition” is even more evident from the homosexual movement • Through their powerful political lobbying efforts, they have already succeeded in gaining discrimination and “hate speech” legislation to establish protection

  35. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • The “Biblical definition” of marriage Gen 2 • This “re-definition” is even more evident from the homosexual movement • Now, they are seeking (and succeeding) in states recognizing same sex marriages to legitimize their behavior and for them to gain access to monetary benefits reserved for “traditional” families

  36. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • The “Biblical definition” of marriage Gen 2 • This “re-definition” is even more evident from the homosexual movement • God has other views about this Gen 18:20 Jude 5-7 1 Cor 6:9-10 Rom 1:24-28 • The “Biblical family” must be respected and defended

  37. MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God • A relationship God takes very seriously • We must be impressed with how serious God views marriage • If we want our marriages to be successful and ones that God approves, our view of marriage must equal His and be as serious as His

  38. From Mal 2:14 & Mt 19:6b, 8b… …we learn God is a “witness” to the oath we take when we marry another and to the covenant we enter into.

  39. From Mal 2:14 & Mt 19:6b, 8b… …we learn God is a “witness” to the oath we take when we marry another and to the covenant we enter into. …we learn that “from the beginning” God expects man to marry a woman, and that He authorizes no man to “put asunder” what He alone joins.

  40. Despite God’s clearly understood views, man regularly shows his ignorance and disrespect for the Bible’s clear teaching on marriage. From the “strange” category…

  41. News From 11/13/07 • Indian man marries female dog in traditional Hindu ceremony • He stoned 2 dogs to death & hung their bodies from a tree 15 yrs. ago • Hindu astrologers convinced him this was the only way to rid himself of his curse

  42. Despite God’s clearly understood views, man regularly shows his ignorance and disrespect for the Bible’s clear teaching on marriage From the “strange” category… From the “common everyday” department…

  43. Nationally • Marriage & Divorce statistics have hovered around the 50% range for the last 4 decades Source: U.S. Census Bureau Marriage & Divorce statistics suggest man does not view marriage as seriously as does God

  44. Nationally • Of those who are married, 42% of women and 46% of men have been married more than 1 time • On average, 1st marriages ending in divorce last about 8 years • Median time between divorce and a 2nd marriage is about 3½ years Source: U.S. Census Bureau

  45. Nationally • In recent years, there has been a slight decline nationally in the number of divorces • Marriage counselors herald this as an improvement • What it does is mask the growing number of people co-habiting Source: U.S. Census Bureau

  46. The Barna Research Group conducts primary research, produces media resources pertaining to spiritual development, and facilitates the healthy spiritual growth of leaders, children, families and Christian ministries. Located in Ventura, California, Barna has been conducting and analyzing primary research to understand cultural trends related to values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors since 1984. Source: Barna Research Group www.barna.org

  47. Nationally • Co-habitation is becoming increasingly more popular • An increasing trend even among “born again Christians” • During their single years, 1 out of every 3 adults (33%) has lived with someone of the opposite sex Source: Barna Research Group www.barna.org

  48. Nationally • Co-habitation is much more common among men than women • Men - 39% Women - 28% • A person’s faith leanings are related to co-habitation statistics • Born again Christian 25% • Atheists 51% Source: Barna Research Group www.barna.org

  49. Nationally • People are entering marriage later in life…another indicator of the “co-habitation factor” • “Born again Christians” are just as likely to get a divorce as are non-born again adults • Born again Christians 33% • Non-born again adults 34% Source: Barna Research Group www.barna.org

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