Divorce, Introductions

[Sherman]

Thanks to everyone for joining this discussion. Like I said, the doctrine of MDR is an elephant, one that we must take one bite at a time. I've been intentionally vague about exactly what I believe on the subject because it involves too many scriptures and too many principles and concepts to discuss all at once.

Let's try our best to keep on specific topic and not throw in everything at once. I realize this is a very important topic, one that we certainly want to be true to the Word on. Also, being it's such a hot topic, it's easy to fall into attacking eachother, let's each do our best to not fall into that. None of us want that.

Remember, the purpose of this topic is just to share why the subject of MDR is important to us. If you want to share what your beliefs are on this subject, you're more than welcome to do that; but we're not going to get into specific debates about any of these beliefs. It's a complicated mess that we've got to take one scripture/principle at a time.

Our first and primary goal is simply just to do our best to understand what individual scriptures mean, especially what Jesus said. If we can come to agreement on that it would be awesome.

Let's be like the Bereans who were both open minded and diligent to study the scripture. They were even eagerly receptive of radically new ideas. They were truly humble in that they didn't think they knew everything or had all the answers. But they weren't gullible; they steadily, earnestly, and energetically studied the Word to see if what Paul shared was true. Let's do our best to be both open-minded towards new information, ideas, concepts, understandings of the Word, and diligent to study these things out.

Thanks again for your participation in this discussion.

[SammySmile]

I would like to just publicly thank Sherman for starting this thread. Sherman is a personal friend, and I have read his book and highly recommend it for anyone who is trying to find the truth of this very important subject.

I can say that it's obvious that God hates all sin, and that includes sinful divorce. I will also say, however, that I believe that God is not "anti-marriage," nor is he "anti-remarriage," but just the opposite. I do not believe there are set biblical grounds for divorce the way many pastors like to establish.

Just some brotherly advice, please, that we not launch attacks against one another, as this topic, as other controversial topics, can get really heated.

Just wanted to encourage everyone to post their feelings without fear of being attacked. That's the most godly way to proceed for sure.

That's all for now.

God bless

Frank Austin

Edited January 24, 2007 by SammySmile

[SammySmile]

Thanks, again, Sherman!

Edited January 24, 2007 by SammySmile

[Natt]

Hi Sherman,

I'm interested in this topic and look forward to hearing your point of view on this subject.

[RGR]

Let's do our best to be both open-minded towards new information, ideas, concepts, understandings of the Word, and diligent to study these things out.

Ya know, I get skiddish when someone tells me to be "open minded." That usually tells me that it's going to be something unconventional or possibly unscriptural that I'm going to be told. I'll stick with Scripture and let it guide me:

Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.' (NIV)

I also took the liberty of checking out your book on Amazon; I find that on there one can read it online if they so choose. For anyone interested, here's the link:

(Link deleted)

In it, you tell me that no matter what has happened to cause a divorce that God doesn't expect me to remain single and that He will provide a mate for one who is divorced. That flies in the face of Scripture! How much plainer can we get than with plain Scripture?

Matthew 19:1 It happened when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.

3 Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?" 4 He answered, "Haven't you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, 'For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife; and the two will become one flesh?' 6 So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don't let man tear apart." 7 They asked him, "Why then did Moses command us to give her a bill of divorce, and divorce her?" 8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so. 9 I tell you that whoever will put away his wife, except for sexual immorality, and will marry another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is put away commits adultery." (WEB)

How much more simple can it get?

Edited January 24, 2007 by IslandRose

[GeneV]

Let's do our best to be both open-minded towards new information, ideas, concepts, understandings of the Word, and diligent to study these things out.

Ya know, I get skiddish when someone tells me to be "open minded." That usually tells me that it's going to be something unconventional or possibly unscriptural that I'm going to be told. I'll stick with Scripture and let it guide me:

Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.' (NIV)

I also took the liberty of checking out your book on Amazon; I find that on there one can read it online if they so choose. For anyone interested, here's the link:

(Link deleted)

In it, you tell me that no matter what has happened to cause a divorce that God doesn't expect me to remain single and that He will provide a mate for one who is divorced. That flies in the face of Scripture! How much plainer can we get than with plain Scripture?

Matthew 19:1 It happened when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.

3 Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?" 4 He answered, "Haven't you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, 'For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife; and the two will become one flesh?' 6 So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don't let man tear apart." 7 They asked him, "Why then did Moses command us to give her a bill of divorce, and divorce her?" 8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so. 9 I tell you that whoever will put away his wife, except for sexual immorality, and will marry another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is put away commits adultery." (WEB)

How much more simple can it get?

K Ronald up to this point I think we are with you - lets see where Sherman is going with the thread. Btw I have still to read his book, I was however interested to see how he kicks off on the subject.

[Ovedya]

I am temporarily closing this thread. I want to have some fellowship with the other moderators before this continues. Please do not start another topic along this line until we've come to a conclusion.

Thanks.