Why God hates divorce - an alternate look

[missmuffet]

Just now, StanJ said:

Sorry but your perception is much different than reality and many biblical Scholars disagree with what it teaches.  It may be good for Christianity 101 but when it gets down to actually exegeting the word of God, it falls short.

Then many Biblical Scholars are in deep trouble. Which really does not surprise me today.

[missmuffet]

5 minutes ago, StanJ said:

Sorry but your perception is much different than reality and many biblical Scholars disagree with what it teaches.  It may be good for Christianity 101 but when it gets down to actually exegeting the word of God, it falls short.

Maybe those Bible Scholars can learn something.

 

Question: "What is good biblical exegesis?"

Answer: Exegesis means “exposition or explanation.” Biblical exegesis involves the examination of a particular text of scripture in order to properly interpret it. Exegesis is a part of the process of hermeneutics, the science of interpretation. A person who practices exegesis is called an exegete.

Good biblical exegesis is actually commanded in scripture. “Study [be diligent] to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). According to this verse, we must handle the Word of God properly, through diligent study. If we don’t, we have reason to be ashamed.

There are some basic principles of good exegesis which serious students of the Bible will follow:

1. The Grammatical Principle. The Bible was written in human language, and language has a certain structure and follows certain rules. Therefore, we must interpret the Bible in a manner consistent with the basic rules of language.

Usually, the exegete starts his examination of a passage by defining the words in it. Definitions are basic to understanding the passage as a whole, and it is important that the words be defined according to their original intent and not according to modern usage. To ensure accuracy, the exegete uses a precise English translation and Greek and Hebrew dictionaries.

Next, the exegete examines the syntax, or the grammatical relationships of the words in the passage. He finds parallels, he determines which ideas are primary and which are subordinate, and he discovers actions, subjects, and their modifiers. He may even diagram a verse or two.

2. The Literal Principle. We assume that each word in a passage has a normal, literal meaning, unless there is good reason to view it as a figure of speech. The exegete does not go out of his way to spiritualize or allegorize. Words mean what words mean.

So, if the Bible mentions a “horse,” it means “a horse.” When the Bible speaks of the Promised Land, it means a literal land given to Israel and should not be interpreted as a reference to heaven.

3. The Historical Principle. As time passes, culture changes, points of view change, language changes. We must guard against interpreting scripture according to how our culture views things; we must always place scripture in its historical context.

The diligent Bible student will consider the geography, the customs, the current events, and even the politics of the time when a passage was written. An understanding of ancient Jewish culture can greatly aid an understanding of scripture. To do his research, the exegete will use Bible dictionaries, commentaries, and books on history.

4. The Synthesis Principle. The best interpreter of scripture is scripture itself. We must examine a passage in relation to its immediate context (the verses surrounding it), its wider context (the book it’s found in), and its complete context (the Bible as a whole). The Bible does not contradict itself. Any theological statement in one verse can and should be harmonized with theological statements in other parts of scripture. Good Bible interpretation relates any one passage to the total content of scripture.

5. The Practical Principle. Once we’ve properly examined the passage to understand its meaning, we have the responsibility to apply it to our own lives. To “rightly divide the word of truth” is more than an intellectual exercise; it is a life-changing event.

https://gotquestions.org/Biblical-exegesis.html

[StanJ]

5 minutes ago, shiloh357 said:

LOL, sexual immorality is fornication. 

Mat 19:9  And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery."

"Sexual immorality"  is from the same word in the Greek, porneia, which is where we get the word pornography and that is the same word translated fornication in other translations.   Fornicaition is sexual immorality.

Sexual immorality is different from fornication or adultery and the fact that many don't understand what the Greek word porneia means is not surprising.  the problem of properly Understanding God's intent has been around ever since Moses instituted the laws. Jesus had to address it in his day and it continues to be something that has to be addressed in our day.

http://static.westside.webfactional.com/abundantLife/092002/3.html

[StanJ]

1 hour ago, missmuffet said:

Maybe those Bible Scholars can learn something.

 

Question: "What is good biblical exegesis?"

Answer: Exegesis means “exposition or explanation.” Biblical exegesis involves the examination of a particular text of scripture in order to properly interpret it. Exegesis is a part of the process of hermeneutics, the science of interpretation. A person who practices exegesis is called an exegete.

Good biblical exegesis is actually commanded in scripture. “Study [be diligent] to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). According to this verse, we must handle the Word of God properly, through diligent study. If we don’t, we have reason to be ashamed.

There are some basic principles of good exegesis which serious students of the Bible will follow:

1. The Grammatical Principle. The Bible was written in human language, and language has a certain structure and follows certain rules. Therefore, we must interpret the Bible in a manner consistent with the basic rules of language.

Usually, the exegete starts his examination of a passage by defining the words in it. Definitions are basic to understanding the passage as a whole, and it is important that the words be defined according to their original intent and not according to modern usage. To ensure accuracy, the exegete uses a precise English translation and Greek and Hebrew dictionaries.

Next, the exegete examines the syntax, or the grammatical relationships of the words in the passage. He finds parallels, he determines which ideas are primary and which are subordinate, and he discovers actions, subjects, and their modifiers. He may even diagram a verse or two.

2. The Literal Principle. We assume that each word in a passage has a normal, literal meaning, unless there is good reason to view it as a figure of speech. The exegete does not go out of his way to spiritualize or allegorize. Words mean what words mean.

So, if the Bible mentions a “horse,” it means “a horse.” When the Bible speaks of the Promised Land, it means a literal land given to Israel and should not be interpreted as a reference to heaven.

3. The Historical Principle. As time passes, culture changes, points of view change, language changes. We must guard against interpreting scripture according to how our culture views things; we must always place scripture in its historical context.

The diligent Bible student will consider the geography, the customs, the current events, and even the politics of the time when a passage was written. An understanding of ancient Jewish culture can greatly aid an understanding of scripture. To do his research, the exegete will use Bible dictionaries, commentaries, and books on history.

4. The Synthesis Principle. The best interpreter of scripture is scripture itself. We must examine a passage in relation to its immediate context (the verses surrounding it), its wider context (the book it’s found in), and its complete context (the Bible as a whole). The Bible does not contradict itself. Any theological statement in one verse can and should be harmonized with theological statements in other parts of scripture. Good Bible interpretation relates any one passage to the total content of scripture.

5. The Practical Principle. Once we’ve properly examined the passage to understand its meaning, we have the responsibility to apply it to our own lives. To “rightly divide the word of truth” is more than an intellectual exercise; it is a life-changing event.

https://gotquestions.org/Biblical-exegesis.html

The fact that they can properly Define exegesis on their site doesn't mean that they actually do it.

I encourage you to take their definition and use it on your own to study this issue and see exactly what the Bible does say in the original Hebrew and how it is conveyed in the New Testament.

[Guest shiloh357]

1 hour ago, StanJ said:

Sexual immorality is different from fornication or adultery and the fact that many don't understand what the Greek word porneia means is not surprising.  the problem of properly Understanding God's intent has been around ever since Moses instituted the laws. Jesus had to address it in his day and it continues to be something that has to be addressed in our day.

http://static.westside.webfactional.com/abundantLife/092002/3.html

It doesn't matter what kind of theological gymnastics you try to employ, fornication IS sexual immorality.  To deny that is intellectual suicide.  You will not convince anyone who knows the Bible of anything different.

[missmuffet]

15 minutes ago, StanJ said:

The fact that they can properly Define exegesis on their site doesn't mean that they actually do it.

I encourage you to take their definition and use it on your own to study this issue and see exactly what the Bible does say in the original Hebrew and how it is conveyed in the New Testament.

Life is full of choices Stan. God gives us free will.

[nebula]

2 hours ago, StanJ said:

Matthew 5:43-48  (NET Bible)

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they? 47 And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they? 48 So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Stan, you keep addressing attitudes towards people, not actions.

How would you describe God's feelings towards sin? 

Or even more specifically, how would you describe God's feelings towards sexual immorality? Abortion? Abusing the "fatherless and the widow"? Pride? etc.

[StanJ]

2 hours ago, missmuffet said:

Life is full of choices Stan. God gives us free will.

You are absolutely right... God gives us free will.  Of course those who exercise it and decide to NOT accept Jesus aren't going to be very happy about making the wrong choice, are they?

[Steve_S]

4 hours ago, StanJ said:

The operative word here would be seems and that is because of the English translation you're quoting.  I suggest you study the Hebrew and find out exactly what the word conveys.  

http://www.biblicalhebrew.com/nt/lovehate.htm

If 1 John 4:8 is true then God cannot hate because love cannot hate. 

 

1.  That link does not address proverbs 6.

2.  I just looked at 23 separate bible translations and every single one of them translated it either "hate," "hateth," or "hates" depending on the grammatical arrangement of the translation.

3.  In light of 2 above, my question is how 5 centuries of Hebrew translators are incorrect on this, while a couple of very fringe websites are correct?

4.  The septuagint also has this as saying hate, even though the verse itself looks different (so now you have the hebrew to greek translators of the that time period also thinking that it means hate, probably all of whom were fluently bilingual in the two languages).

[StanJ]

2 hours ago, nebula said:

Stan, you keep addressing attitudes towards people, not actions.

How would you describe God's feelings towards sin? 

Or even more specifically, how would you describe God's feelings towards sexual immorality? Abortion? Abusing the "fatherless and the widow"? Pride? etc.

Attitudes are born out in actions. 

1 John 2:9-11

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

The issue here is not God, the issue here is how people do not understand God and  attributing human emotions to him.  Does the bible say that 'God hated sin so much He sent his only begotten son', or does the Bible say 'for God so LOVED the world that He Sent His only begotten son'?

God's feelings toward sin and sexual immorality is not the issue here, the issue is how people misunderstand what the word of God actually says.