IntroductionThe subject of divorce was recently

addressed on Mars-List, an online discussion group largely composed of non-institutional brethren.

The following submission was made by an evangelist who labors in the southeastern United States.

This post is noteworthy because of the uncertain sound that is expressed therein:

Email from Gospel PreacherSat Dec 22, 2007 11:51 amHello All, [NAME WITHHELD] here....I am reluctant to be put in the position of

having to “judge” someone else’s marital situation simply because there is no way that I will ever have all the information necessary to make a valid evaluation of the situation.

Email from Gospel PreacherHow about this...Sit down with the person and read every

passage that has to do with divorce, beginning in Deuteronomy on....

Then tell them that they now know as much about God’s will on MDM as you do, and that they should decide if their relationship is one that God approves of? Assure them that you will abide by their decision, regardless of what they decide.

Email from Gospel PreacherCredit them with having honest hearts and

making the right decision. If they decide they are right with God, who has the right to say they are not?

I would further advise them to never mention the MDM issue to anyone else.

God Bless,

[NAME WITHHELD]http://

groups.yahoo.com/group/Mars-List/message/9808

Doctrinal TeachingNote the distinction between old and new

covenants on the subject of marriage, divorce and remarriage:

The Gospel of Christ does not merely reiterate the Mosaic Code, but presents distinctive teaching on this vital subject (Deut. 24:1-4; Matt. 5:31-32; 19:3-12; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18; Rom. 7:1-3; 1 Cor. 7:10-16).

Distinction of CovenantsCertain eternal principles set forth in the Old

Testament remain relevant (Gen. 2:18-25; Mal. 2:10-16), yet, the Law of Moses is no longer authoritative (Eph. 2:14-16; Col. 2:13-14).

Since the Law was incapable of addressing the problem of sin, Christ established a new and better covenant (Heb. 7:11-22; 10:1-10).

Demand for AccuracyWe must handle aright the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:14-

19). According to BDAG, the Greek word translated “rightly

dividing” (KJV, NKJV) or “accurately handling” (NASB) literally means to “‘cut a path in a straight direction’ or ‘cut a road across country (that is forested or otherwise difficult to pass through) in a straight direction’, so that the traveler may go directly to his destination.”

Figuratively, it means to “guide the word of truth along a straight path (like a road that goes straight to its goal), without being turned aside by wordy debates or impious talk (2 Tim. 2:15).”

Demand for AccuracyWe must take care how we listen (Luke 8:18). At the end of his teaching, particularly in

presenting parables, Jesus repeatedly offered the following admonition: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matt. 11:15; 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9, 23; 7:16; Luke 8:8; 14:35).

This admonition was also given to each of the seven churches of Asia (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22).

Are we responding to heaven’s message with the hearing of submissive faith (Gal. 3:2, 5), or with a spirit of obstinate rebellion (Matt. 7:24-27; James 1:22-25)?

Distressing RealityNot all are willing to accept the truth,

especially as it related to the present subject (Matt. 19:11-12).

In the Parable of the Sower, those likened to the wayside are hard-hearted; those likened to the rocky places are shallow in spirit; those likened to the seed sown among thorns are carnal-minded. In contrast the good soil is representative of those who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit (Mark 4:13-20).

Distressing RealityIn contrast with the unbelieving Jews, the

Thessalonian disciples received, accepted, and obeyed the apostolic message (1 Thess. 2:13-16).

Some men are blind to the truth (Matt. 13:10-17), distorting the Scriptures to their own destruction (2 Pet. 3:14-18).

Discernment RequiredRecognizing the reality of rampant rebellion

(Ps. 14:2-3; Matt. 7:13-14), we should beware of the cunning craftiness of sinful men (2 Cor. 11:1-6; Eph. 4:14-16).

Discernment RequiredFaithful proclamation of divine truth

demands a spirit of reverence, and a profound (and often prolonged) focus upon the true meaning of the text.

When Nehemiah and his associates read from the Law of God, the assembly lasted from early morning until midday, during which time they read distinctly Holy Scripture, giving the sense, and causing the people to understand the reading (Nehemiah 8:1-8).

Discernment RequiredIn the sermon on the mount, Jesus often

corrected inadequate, mistaken, or outdated understandings of Scripture (Matt. 5:27-28, 33-34, 38-39, 43-44).

Discussing his passion with the two men on the road to Emmaus, Jesus rebuked their ignorance and unbelief, and then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures (Luke 24:13-27). Afterwards, he used the same approach with the eleven (Luke 24:44-45).

Discernment RequiredThe cause of Christ is established when we

solemnly confront error, uphold the truth, and teach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:18-32).

Like the aged apostle Paul, we must not shrink back from declaring anything that is profitable, teaching publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to all men the necessity of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Discernment RequiredWe must declare the whole purpose/counsel

of God. We must warn brethren against dangers that

may arise from within and without. As he charged the Ephesian elders, we

likewise proclaim, “I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

ConclusionObviously, there are difficult and tangled

cases of marriage, divorce and remarriage. However, this does not alter the clarity of the

Biblical principles governing this subject, nor diminish our responsibility of making proper application of those self-same principles.

ConclusionAll men do not have a love of the truth. All

men do not have good and honest hearts. All men do not make correct judgments based upon proper application of divine truth.

Therefore, it is folly to say that the church must abide by whatever decision someone might make, on this, or any other subject.

ConclusionWould not the reasoning expressed in the

aforementioned email also apply to God’s terms of pardon, His pattern for the work, worship and organization of the church, etc.? Would it not apply to the acceptance of alternative lifestyles, same-sex marriages, polygamy, etc.?

ConclusionIs it sufficient to say, “Read all passages

relating to this subject, draw your own conclusions, and we will abide by your decision, regardless of what you decide.” Universalism here we come!

Such thinking may reflect the spirit of tolerance and non-judgmentalism so characteristic of this age, but it does not reflect the spirit of Christ, who commanded, “Judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).