Expert: Joe Norman - 11/10/2010

Question
Hi Joe,
I read your reply to "Ryan" regarding divorce/remarriage. You stated in last paragraph "Divorce is not always wrong or a sin. Neither is re-marriage a sin. In the first 400 years after the church was established on the day of Pentecost (33 AD), not one person or couple was told their marriage was "adulterous" and not one person or couple was told in order to make their lives right with God, they must divorce their current spouse and either remain celibate the rest of their lives or return to their first spouse. This is a fact." Can you tell me where you got this information? I am a member of the church of Christ for 30+ years and have problems understanding why adultery is not forgiven as long as the couple remain in the (remarried) relationship. Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Sharon,

There was a very respected church of Christ scholar named Pat Harrell (1930-1978). He was a minister as well as holding several positions in universities. He had a PhD as well as a ThD. He was well respected as a Bible scholar even outside of the church of Christ. He wrote a book called "Divorce and Remarriage In The Early Church." It was written and published in 1967. He did extensive research of the first 400 years after the church was established. It was his book I read which had the facts I shared with "Ryan".

I was raised in the church of Christ and am even the 4th generation of both sides of my family to be a faithful member of the Lord's church. My great-grandfather was a well respected minister in the church of Christ who helped establish churches all over Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico. My grandfather was a well respected Elder for the Webb Chapel church of Christ for many years. My dad was a well respected minister in the church of Christ as well for many years. My dad retired from ministry at 78 years old over 3 years ago.

I was grew up believing the "traditional" teaching on divorce and remarriage. But even as early as high school, I saw problems with what has been widely accepted. I firmly believe adultery is forgiven the moment it is repented of and adultery is not possible within a marriage (i.e. a re-marriage). I don't believe it is possible to be in a perpetual state of adultery within a remarriage.

The idea of an "adulterous marriage" comes from some major assumptions on the words of Jesus in the gospels on divorce and remarriage. But Jesus didn't actually say any such thing. The most quoted and abused verse recording Jesus' words on divorce and remarriage is Matthew 19:9.

Matt.19:9  And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery.

The whole passage is taken out of context by most within the Lord's church today. They believe and teach this passage is instructions to Christians. But He was being tested by Pharisees regarding Deuteronomy 24:1-3. Yet, even IF this was instructions to Christians, Jesus still never said anyone is in a perpetual state of adultery within a remarriage. The adultery is a one time sin cause by the one time acts of divorce without cause and remarriage to someone new. The sin of adultery is repented of by remaining faithful to your current spouse, not by doing exactly what God hates...which is divorcing your new spouse.

Also, celibacy was ONLY encouraged by Paul because the church was being persecuted at the time Paul wrote the church in Corinth. I Corinthians 7 is the most complete and thorough instructions on divorce and remarriage given to Christians. That should be our focus. Paul said in verses 6-9 that if a person lacks self control it is better to marry than to burn with passion. He was speaking to the "unmarried and widows" and most assume "unmarried" refers to never married, but there isn't anything indicating "unmarried" is limited to only those never married.

Another heavily abused passage is verse 10 and 11 of the same chapter. Many assume these verses are about divorce, but it is about separation or abandonment. How do I know? First, only men were able to divorce at the time Paul wrote this letter. Also, the Greek word for divorce is not used. The most accurate and reliable translations never use the word divorce. He tells the wife not to "depart" from her husband but if she does depart, she must remain "unmarried" or be "reconciled to her husband. I am convinced Paul is saying she must remain "AS unmarried" because she is technically still bound to her husband until there is a divorce. The fact that he says "or be reconciled" proves that to me because if there is a divorce, you can no longer reconcile, you can only marry again. Also, in verse 27 and 28, we read the following.

1 Cor.7:27,28
27 Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife. 28 But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you.

If a person was "loosed" it is clearly logical that person was once "bound" to a wife. Also he additionally refers to virgins specifically so "loosed" doesn't include virgins. It MUST include both those divorced and those widowed because nothing indicates "loosed" should be limited in any way. If Paul was speaking of divorce in verse 10 and 11, then he wouldn't have written what he did in verses 27 and 28 or even what he wrote in verses 6-9.

I pray this has been beneficial to you in your study. If you have follow-up questions for me I am happy to answer those as well. If you have new questions in the future, just let me know. I am only human so please study what I present and determine for yourself what is true. May God bless you as you continue to study and seek the truth.

In Christian Love, Joe Norman