I've never actually had that clarified and I'm wondering how the church deals with the subjects of divorce and remarriage, especially. Thanks!

It varies extremely widely.

It is open for interpretation.

I could give you my personal interpretation but then that would not do you any good. The terminology used allows for a lot of different interpretations.

Best to just study for yourself.

But if in doubt ... I will tell you that God does not favor divorce under ANY circumstances. So, do you want to do what is best? Or do you just want to compromise? That might be the question for the person who is in this situation. And I am not saying that you are personally. But I think the Bible is clear that divorce is never what God would want. Divorce under any circumstances is a compromise with God. It does SO much damage that we can't even see.

Edit: I realize that there are severe situations. I think in some of these that the answer is separation and prayer. Then when things have been solved through prayer ... you can get back together. Just my thoughts.

The Bible says divorce covers our garment with violence. It doesn't get high marks in the Word.

Those who have broken the marriage vow prior to Christ are doing what comes natural - the works of the flesh. That changes after we come to Christ. A Christian ought not divorce & remarry. The Scriptures are clear on this point.

Paul pins our ears back with one sentence. "A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes" (1 Corinthians 7:39).

Jesus: "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."

To those who have transgressed this sacred covenant, I have a measure of sympathy. Healing is needed and available from the Lord. But God gives no permission to marry another, unless adultery has broken up the marriage. Even then, the highest ideal is forgiveness & reconciliation. See Hosea..

To those who might be struggling in their marriage: Take heart. There is hope. God CAN SAVE any marriage if they are willing.

To the pre-maritals among us: Choose wisely. And treat kindly. If you implement the Biblical principles of marriage you WILL find happiness and freedom.

People who divorce or separate, are casting aside the greatest tool for character refinement -- a gift from God Himself. There is hope.


"Oh, I just married the wrong person..!" Nope.

The problem in your marriage (and mine fifteen years ago) is the unresolved issues that each partner brings into the relationship. The problem is not your spouse.

The question is. Are each of you willing to resolve the spiritual issues that are keeping the relationship apart?


Go do the right thing..


oG

Olger, you almost brought tears to my eyes. You touched me with those wise remarks. Every marriage will hit a few or more bumps on the road. Mine had its share, but whenever I was tempted to give up, God's word kept ringing in my ears, "I hate divorce!"

But perhaps our friend's question is: What is the church's policy on those who have already gone through divorce.

Gerry

Dick Davidson headed a study committee in 1998 to see if the Bible allowed divorce for abandonment. The conclusion of the scholars was "No." Our church's position has been that "adultery only" is grounds for divorce & remarriage.

I know people who choose to live single after divorce and are happy & fulfilled. My sister is one of them.

oG

Before the SDA church came up with policies and a creed, they just said "The Bible is our creed and policy".

Or something like that...

When it came to particular issues, the Apostles said the Law of Moses would work those things out:

Acts 15:21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

So what the law of Moses says, would apply today. Like this one for instance:

Duet. 24:1 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give [it] in her hand, and send her out of his house.
24:2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's [wife].
24:3 And [if] the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth [it] in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her [to be] his wife;
24:4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that [is] abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.

A good pastor might refuse to marry you, in a situation like that. In fact, I would hope he would.

So what is the Church's policy on marriage and divorce if a person who marries a non-SDA, but who is a christian, but is now not living together? Didn't paul said that (paraphrasing) its better to remarry if a person cannot live alone, than to burn....

A believer recognizes Jesus the Christ as the final expositer of the Word of God.

Heb 1:1 "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds."

Jesus "He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery."

The only safe course for a Believer is to live by Biblical principle. God makes it clear that reconciliation is His highest ideal (see Hosea). If husband & wife both resolve their bitterness towards each other, and whatever other issues they have, they can find joy and peace. This will bless the children and many others. If the other spouse is not willing to reconcile, you can pray for them and demonstate 4-BIBLICAL qualities. That may change them over time.

Praying about your situation,

olger

What other alternative is there if reconiliation and or counseling does not work. Does not the Bible says not to be un-equally yoke? Wouldn't staying together does more harm than good?...I think (personally) you'll be losing your focus in life,in trying to live right in seving God. Husband and wife living apart in seperate homes,seperate states, tends to create situations that definitely would raise your eyebrows.