When I saw the headline about one in 7 Americans thinking that divorce is not sin, I thought I would put up a SI poll. Like many pastors, I think it can be and often is a sin, but not necessarily so. I do think sin as always at the root, however.
What is your take? Please take the closest choice; choose “other” only if the choices avaialble are not close (or cover most bases).
Poll Results
Do you believe divorce is a sin?
Divorce is always a sin. Votes: 7
Divorce is a sin except for adultery. Votes: 3
Divorce is a sin except for desertion. Votes: 0
Divorce is a sin except for either adultery or desertion. Votes: 5
Divorce is a sin except for certain cases of abuse where a spouse or child is at risk. Votes: 0
All four of the above. Votes: 9
Divorce is not usually a sin. Votes: 1
Other Votes: 4
Discussion
NewBTW, this does not relate directly to remarriage
This poll is not about a related but separate issue, remarriage. Just thought I should clarify this.
"The Midrash Detective"
NewDon't like this answer: "Divorce is not usually a sin"
Don’t like this answer: “Divorce is not usually a sin” - but how I voted
I view divorce as the culmination and consequence of a series of sinful actions by at least one party. Often in the case of one party, that one is a victim of those actions and divorce is legal protection from the sinful actions of another.
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Jim's Doctrinal Statement
NewYou are right, Jim
In my introductory comments, I noted the same thing:
It is not God’s will for anyone to get divorced, but certain behavior may create a legitimate option for divorce.
"The Midrash Detective"
NewIn the case of Tullian Tchividjian
In the case of Tullian Tchividjian: sinful behavior on both sides
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Jim's Doctrinal Statement
NewJust for kicks
If it isn’t God’s will for some to divorce, was it God’s will for them to get married, and how do you know?
NewAnother Thought to Kick Around
Is it always a sin to break a vow that you’ve made before God and men? In marriage, two people promise God that they are going to stay married no matter what happens. No exceptions.
"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan
NewRon
Have you ever been to a secular marriage ceremony before a judge? Where God isn’t mentioned?
While I agree that whether people realize it or not, they are doing that, many today do not make any formal pledge to God in any way, let alone to stay together.
NewWhat is our assumption about vows?
I think even the wedding vows are usually repeated with an assumption of faithfulness, since this is mutually pledged.
Some people understand marriage as an unconditional covenant, others as a conditional one. Most are in-between. For example, even in the best marriage, we may not always love and cherish as we should, at least in eras or instances.
"The Midrash Detective"
NewMark_Smith wrote:
Sometimes it was His will and sometimes not; even if not originally His will, it is God’s will for a couple to work out a marriage. The devil is real, and so is the flesh. Evil is the ruining of the good. God can lead a couple together, or, if he hasn’t, he can help them stay married. But sin, sinful addictions, deceitful heart syndrome, a demanding spirit, and/or discontent come knocking at the door. When one partner opens the door, the marriage is endangered.
The question “how do you know” is pretty subjective. Normally, I would say “Biblical wisdom coupled with a feeling-at-home attraction.” Even happily married couples frequently report times when they wondered if they made the right choice. We often have idealistic expectations, and they are never met, and so we set ourselves up for emotional distance and frustration. My advice to couples is to marry a solid, responsible Christian person whom you not only love, but LIKE. It is really best to be married to your best friend. A lot of couples, unfortunately, are not really friends who ENJOY one another. Much of that is a negative attitude that comes from disappointment. The Rabbis had a wonderful approach: they considered their wives a reward from God.
"The Midrash Detective"
NewMark_Smith wrote:If it isn't
We know it is God’s will because He did it. They “got married.” Passive. God married them.