Jesus and Divorce Introduction Marriage is the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife

in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by the law. (Merriam-Webster, 2010). In Christian circles it is also accepted as a union sanctified, and a gift given since the foundation of time, by God as can be seen in Genesis 2:24. It states that a man is supposed to leave his parents and cleave to his wife. From this passage we see that it is Gods intention that marriage be permanent and monogamous in nature. It is an intimate relationship in which human beings finds satisfaction and fulfilment. (Bontrager, 1939) Divorce, however, is the action or instance of legally dissolving a marriage. (MerriamWebster, divorce, 2010). The Lectric Law Library provides the following as a legal definition of divorce: The dissolution of a marriage contracted between a man and a woman, by the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, or (Obs.) by an act of the legislature. It is so called from the diversity of the minds of those who are married; because such as are divorced go each a different way from the other. Until a decree of divorce be actually made, neither party can treat the other as sole, even in cases where the marriage is utterly null and void for some preexisting cause. A decree of divorce must also be made during the lifetime of both the parties. After the decease of either the marriage will be deemed as legal in all respects. (Library, 1999)

B.A. Robinson of the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance in his article, U.S. divorce rates for various faith groups, age groups, & geographic areas. stated, The media frequently reports that 50% of American marriages will end in divorce. This number appears to have been derived from very skimpy data related to a single county or state. However, it appears to be reasonable close to the probable value. The Americans for Divorce Reform estimates that "Probably, 40 or possibly even 50 percent of marriages will end in divorce if current trends continue. However, that is only a projection and a prediction." (Robinson, 2009) In many of the same Christian circle, divorce is a controversial matter that though many churches doctrines state their positions clearly. However it still stands as a challenge to so that many are still uncertain about their individual position. Also taken into consideration is the fact that ideas of postmodernism now have an influential factor on the how Christians think of thing today. Throughout this paper we will take a look at Jesus position on the matter, how they are interpreted by different schools of thought both generally and specific and His final stand to the subject. His Statements The direct words of Jesus on the subject of divorce can found in four (4) passages of scripture Matt. 5:32; 19:3-12; Mark 10:2-12 and Luke 16:18. The lengthier passages, Matt. 19:3-12 and Mark 10:2-12, both gives a detailed account of the circumstances by which the subject arose for discussion. The Pharisees came to tempt Him with the question about the lawfulness of putting away ones wife. He answered first by reminding them of the institution

of the marriage at the very begin and emphasized its importance. He then went on to state what the Law of Moses said on the issue of divorce. Matthew 19:8, 9 says: 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. (KJV) Also in Mark we see Him going in to an explanation and discussion with the disciples but at the end in verse 12 His words are: And he saith unto them, whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. At the time of these statements, there were two major schools of thought about divorce. The school of Hillel which allowed a husband to divorce his wife for whatever he didnt like about his wife. On the other hand, there was the school of Shammai which believed that the only grounds for the divorce is if the wife has committed some form of sexual offense. (Bontrager, 1939) In this case a sexual offence meant anything that went against the current customs by his wife. Also at that time divorce was an issue taken lightly by the Jewish people who saw it as a privilege. As such, they rejected Gods plan of permanency and accepted divorce as a privilege given by God. (Mueller, 2010)

Interpretations of His Statements Ekkehardt Mueller of the Biblical Research Institute wrote in his article/research that Jesus words about divorce and remarriage have been understood quite differently. He also

listed eight general views or interpretations of the meaning of His words that are maintained by many. Some of those are: 1. Divorce is impossible even in the case of adultery; otherwise Jesus would not differ from Moses and would have taken a position more liberal than the Mosaic Law thatin the case of adulteryrequired the death penalty. Remarriage is unthinkable. 2. Divorce is not possible except in the case of adultery. However, even if one partner commits adultery and the spouses are divorced, remarriage is excluded. This is the position of the church fathers and is found even in our day. 3. Divorce is not possible except for sexual unfaithfulness during the engagement period. If it is found that one spouse was unfaithful during the time of engagement, divorce is permissible, as well as remarriage. 4. Divorce is not possible except in the case of adultery. If one spouse commits adultery and the spouses are divorced, the partner who did not commit adultery may remarry. However, reconciliation is preferable 5. Scripture is opposed to divorce. Yet it is possible to get a divorce. Reasons are not only adultery but also abandonment by a spouse, abuse, violence, etc. Remarriage is possible. Some suggest that the question of who is guilty should not be discussed. 6. It is claimed that Jesus original words did not contain the exception clause. These original words are found in Mark and Luke. The exception clause occurs in Matthew and is an addition of the early church, which under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Another application and actualization is found with Paul (1 Corinthians 7:12-15). Therefore, the Christian church has the right not only to interpret but also to reinterpret Scripture. There is an openness to deal with other cases not mentioned in Scripture. Why should the Holy Spirit not lead the modern church in finding other reasons for a legitimate divorce as He has led the church of old? 11 7. It is claimed that when Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount dealt with the issue of divorce and remarriage this was not a commandment. Because verse 30 of Matthew 5 has to be understood figuratively, verse 32 and the entire passage should also be understood figuratively. Although Jesus intention is clear that marriages should be permanent, divorce and remarriage are possible. 8. The exception clause refers to incest only. Divorce is possible only if a marriage exists, that according to Leviticus 18 never should have been instituted, and if a believer and an unbeliever are married and the unbeliever wants to get a divorce. However, spouses who abuse their partners verbally or physically, who are alcohol or drug addicts, who are blasphemers, who love pleasures more than God, etc., are hardly believers, even if they are baptized Christians. They are to be avoided. (Mueller, 2010) The all of these seems viable in one way or another but truly understanding His words requires us to delve into the words in greater detail. By doing this one find s that Jesus gives two (2) alternatives. First, He allows for us to may marry and receive Gods good gift of marriage as this is part of Gods natural order of Creation. By Jesus calling the attention of those listening to how it was from the begin He reminded them of the importance and significance of the marriage vow. Mueller said that To a certain degree Jesus relationship with His disciples may be

compared to the relationship between husband and wife. This was later stated by Paul in Ephesians 5:25. Those who choose to maintain their focus on the exception and consider it normal have misunderstood Jesus and has a hard heart. (Mueller, 2010) Even His disciples found it difficult to understand and accept His stand on divorce. They, like the Pharisees thought of marriage in terms of divorce. They suggested staying single instead of marrying if they were not to have the option of getting a divorce. Jesus however also allows for us to also choose to remain single for the sake of the Kingdom of God if it is that we have received a respective calling. Conclusion Ellen G. White stated in her book Testimonies on Sexual Behaviour, Adultery and Divorce that a woman may be legally divorced from her husband by the laws of the land and yet not divorced in the sight of God and according to the higher law. There is only one sin, which is adultery, which can place the husband or wife in a position where they can be free from the marriage vow in the sight of God. Although the laws of the land may grant a divorce, yet they are husband and wife still in the Bible light, according to the laws of God. In His statements on the subject Jesus allowed for it is in the case of adultery. Jesus statement on divorce is connected to the seventh commandment. This commandment is binding and is independent of changing times and cultures. (Mueller, 2010) Throughout the studying of the scripture one sees that His emphasis remains on the indissolubility of a marriage, not its exception.

Bibliography Bontrager, G. E. (1939). Divorce and the Faithful Church. Scottdale: Herald Press. Library, L. L. (1999, February). Legal Definition of 'Divorce'. Retrieved March 18, 2010, from The Lectric Law Library: http://www.lectlaw.com/def/d187.htm Merriam-Webster. (2010). divorce. Retrieved March 18, 2010, from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divorce Merriam-Webster. (2010). marriage. Retrieved March 18th, 2010, from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marriage Mueller, E. (2010). Jesus & Divorce. Retrieved March 18, 2010, from Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists:

http://www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/documents/Jesus%20&%20divorce.pdf Reform, A. f. (n.d.). Divorce Rates - Divorce Statistics Collection. Retrieved March 18, 2010, from Americans for Divorce Reform, Inc.: http://www.divorcereform.org/rates.html Robinson, B. (2009, July 20). U.S. Divorce Rates for various faith groups, age groups, & Geographic Areas. Retrieved March 18th, 2010, from Religious Tolerence:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_dira.htm White, E. G. (1989). Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery and Divorce. Silver Spring: Ellen G. White Estate.