In the thread, "A Reason for Shame", Faris asked,

Danny

How about a follow up thread on marriage and 2nd marriages.I've heard most of the questions but would like to hear some educated,biblical answers. Can that man who was divorced and married to another before he became a christian preach or be an elder? Can divorced persons ever re-marry? If a young man and his pregnant girlfriend ask can the preacher marry them? Can the preacher ever marry a divorced person to another?

-- Faris (fsweet8@yahoo.com), August 01, 2001.

Let's have a discussion on this ... a natural progression from the threads, "A Reason for Shame" and "Starting a Ministry to the Divorced." I might add a few more questions into the mix from the above. Is a man (or woman) who was divorced by their spouse to be held accountable for their spouse's actions? If a man or woman who's spouse has left and remarried free to remarry him/herself? And can he (if a man) ever preach or be an elder? Regardless of how dynamic of an abiding faith he may be otherwise, how much he may have to contribute to the congregation spiritually? Does "husband of but one wife" apply to divorce, or to polygamy? Does "marital unfaithfulness" only entail sexual immorality, or does it/can it include being unfaithful to the marriage covenant and breaking one's vows in other ways (refusal of any conjugal rights, abuse and/or battery [not honoring and cherishing], abandonment, etc.)? Or if the spouse is forced to flee from a mate who is unstable and potentially dangerous, what then? How liberal/conservative/moderate are your views on the big "D"? Is it black and white, or is there grey?

It's a broad canvas, so it should be a lively discussion. Now that the can of worms is open .... have at it! ;-)

-- Anonymous, August 18, 2001

Answers

Hmmmm .... either too broad of a canvas ... or too hot of a topic?

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

John -- I believe it may be a bit broad. If answers were given on each of the sub-subjects you listed, it would be difficult to follow. How about narrowing it down a bit with one sub-subject.

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

Ok ... lets break it up into a couple of threads then ... lets let this thread pertain to divorce attitudes in general, and I'll start a new thread on divorce and church leadership.

So as far as the above questions go ...

Is a man (or woman) who was divorced by their spouse to be held accountable for their spouse's actions?

If a man or woman who's spouse has left and remarried free to remarry him/herself?

Does "marital unfaithfulness" only entail sexual immorality, or does it/can it include being unfaithful to the marriage covenant and breaking one's vows in other ways (refusal of any conjugal rights, abuse and/or battery [not honoring and cherishing], abandonment, etc.)? Is it black and white, or is there grey?

Or if the spouse is forced to flee from a mate who is unstable and potentially dangerous, what then?

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001