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Jesus: “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery." Matt. 5.32,33

This is the moral high ground, and establishes the sanctity of the marriage covenant. In Ephesians 5 Paul likens marriage to the union between Christ and His Church. And the very foundation of the human race in Genesis sets the standard. It is, therefore, the bedrock of all viable and successful civilization, and is "not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God."

Now - reality. I guess I have no problem trying to help people deal with a divorce that truly cannot be averted. It is imperative, however, that ALL reasonable efforts have be exhausted in trying to bring about reconciliation and healing before that condition is acknowledged. The emphasis should NOT be on making it "easier" or facilitating the sin of divorce.

But if the divorce is implacably demanded by one of the parties, then help and assistance of all sorts should be provided by clergy and churches. The Church must not become just another arm of the secular divorce mill. Even Jesus notes (above) that the covenant is broken through sexual unfaithfulness. This does not precipitate an automatic divorce, but it is acceptable grounds for divorce if that seems to be the best or only course of action (abuse, bigamy etc,)

We are faced with marital chaos today because of widespread immorality, media cheapening of the vow, and feminist erosion of its value and status - and other factors. And the Church at large has not done a very good job in these areas either. The bottom line is that easy divorce means continued dissolution of the social order and more pain for everyone concerned - especially children.

Jesus: “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery." Matt. 5.32,33

This is the moral high ground, and establishes the sanctity of the marriage covenant. In Ephesians 5 Paul likens marriage to the union between Christ and His Church. And the very foundation of the human race in Genesis sets the standard. It is, therefore, the bedrock of all viable and successful civilization, and is "not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God."

Now - reality. I guess I have no problem trying to help people deal with a divorce that truly cannot be averted. It is imperative, however, that ALL reasonable efforts have be exhausted in trying to bring about reconciliation and healing before that condition is acknowledged. The emphasis should NOT be on making it "easier" or facilitating the sin of divorce.

But if the divorce is implacably demanded by one of the parties, then help and assistance of all sorts should be provided by clergy and churches. The Church must not become just another arm of the secular divorce mill. Even Jesus notes (above) that the covenant is broken through sexual unfaithfulness. This does not precipitate an automatic divorce, but it is acceptable grounds for divorce if that seems to be the best or only course of action (abuse, bigamy etc,)

We are faced with marital chaos today because of widespread immorality, media cheapening of the vow, and feminist erosion of its value and status - and other factors. And the Church at large has not done a very good job in these areas either. The bottom line is that easy divorce means continued dissolution of the social order and more pain for everyone concerned - especially children.