Divorce and Remarriage

This topic and its nuances come up multiple times each year in my ministry and now I am facing it personally. This discussion is not for those who hold a permanence view of remarriage (there is no context where a divorced person can remarry). This is for those who have looked at the issue of remarriage and its context. The Question: In a professed Christian marriage, when a spouse divorces their Christian mate for unbiblical reasons, is it biblical for the abandoned spouse to remarry? Please include biblical references in your answers. Thanks for any input you can give here.

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Bill Anderson

Hello,

The Logos Forum rules and guidelines do not allow us to have discussions on theological topics here. The forums are for discussing Logos Bible software, the desktop and mobile apps, features, resources available for the software, and things like that. Questions on the topic you are raising could be better phrased like, “How would I use Logos to research the topic of divorce and remarriage?” Or, “What Logos resources available for purchase would help me as I look at this topic?”

Thanks for you understanding.

GregW

We aren’t allowed to discuss theological topics here, but there are a number of helpful resources available in Logos which you can find by searching “divorce and remarriage “ at logos.com. Some I found helpful when riding a Pastoral Thelogy paper on the topic are:

https://www.logos.com/product/45813/divorce-and-remarriage-in-the-bible-the-social-and-literary-context?queryId=c9f0b82e149f70c65394f9c478ed8936
A contrary view: https://www.logos.com/product/175899/jesus-divorce-and-remarriage-in-their-historical-setting?queryId=d392a3e687b91f989699ac0d7970d105

And a Counterpoints”3 views” book that gives a number of viewpoints (this is a little dated now).
https://www.logos.com/product/16631/remarriage-after-divorce-in-todays-church-3-views?queryId=90a17dcca95902bc1cfabf6407516a67

There is also a helpful journal article by William Heth titled “Why I changed my mind” but I’m afraid I cannot access my notes at the moment. It’s helpful because he has held both views (and had the integrity to admit he needed to change his mind).
I last researched this a number of years ago, so have not read some of the newer work on the topic, but the books above give you insight into the main arguments on both sides. These books also point you to some of the other, more substantial, works on the subject.

DMB

Factbook is interesting:

John

@revfoutz … is it biblical for the abandoned spouse to remarry?

Like so many other theological and doctrinal questions, it depends on who you ask. The Bible is subject to interpretation.

I tend to go with the stricter interpretations based on what Jesus said. Many are more lax based on how they interpret Paul. In any case, divorce and remarriage (adultery) is not an unforgivable sin. And God can bless a second marriage.

One of the resources @GregW linked for you considers 3 different views. That is probably a good way to go, to consider several major points of view.