AboutMartin W. Eldred Expertise I have been a Lutheran Christian for 47 years and a Lutheran pastor for almost 19. I can answer most general questions about Luther, Lutheran History, Lutheran Theology, and a Lutheran approach to Biblical Interpretation. I am ELCA, for those who know what that means, and I tend to be moderate theologically. I hope that I can converse with those that are either more conservative or liberal than I, and especially with those who are really just seeking.
Experience Pastors are "generalists" and generally have a working knowledge on many subjects. We are also used to working with a variety of answers from a variety of people. I teach a great deal, especially in the area ofthe New Testament. I particulalry enjoy the Pauline literature.
Organizations I have been a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, an international gathering of biblical scholars and teachers, since the late 1980s.
Publications I have written a few book reviews for the journal, "Lutheran Quarterly."
Education/Credentials I have a B.A. from Pacific Lutheran University in Religion (Biblical Studies)and a Master of Divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary.
Question I am a divorced Catholic. I remarried a divorced Lutheran. I have experienced much conflict and inner turmoil regarding my status and I am truly sorry for the divorce. My husband and I are looking for a church to join.
Nowhere in the bible does it speak of annulment; to me this is something developed by the institution of the Catholic Church to justify allowing the remarriage of divorced individuals, as well as to construct the idea of valid vs invalid marriages. There are many good arguments supporting that according to the bible, each marriage is valid, even if a marriage started out sinfully as a second marriage; there is nothing in the bible that calls a second marriage invalid.
From my readings, it appears that I would be instructed by a Catholic priest that I am living in sin, that I should seek an annulment (which does not seem like an option to me; my first marriage was valid according to the definitions of the Catholic Church) or that I should attempt reconciliation with my first husband. Do two wrongs make a right? Wouldn't divorcing my second husband to remarry my first or even not to remarry, be committing the same sin again? Also, aside from the fact that reconciliation is not possible, the bible says that a woman may not return to her first husband after marrying another. (Deuteronomy 24:1-4)
What is the Lutheran position on this?
Answer Alice:
Thank you for your question. I am so sorry for the trouble you have experienced from others but happy that you and your husband have found one another.
First, Lutherans believe that marriage is a sacred relationship that is intended to be a life-long commitment. Jesus says the same thing inthe gospel of Mark about marriage and divorce. Divorce was never God's original intention.
Having said that, however, we face the reality of divorce. I think it is more honest to call what it is: something not intended by God, but no different than so many of our myriad other signs of brokenness. God intended for us to live in harmony with creation, with each other and with God--we have, as sinners, failed to keep those intentions. We are not perfect. We need a savior. That is why Jesus came.
What I think Jesus is saying in Mark 10 is that no religious re-working of divorce, no degree of ritual gymnastics that we humans are so fond of, changes the reality that divorce is another sign of our brokenness and incompleteness. I would agree with you totally that "Annulment" is simply another human attempt to cover our sin. It didn't work for the Pharisees in Jesus' day, it doesn't work now.
So what, then do we do? We accept the reality that we have failed. Some of us through action, most of us through our thinking about it (that is another "catch-all" Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount --Mathew 5-7--if you think it, you have done it. In that way, I cannot be sanctimonious about those who have actually been divorced. Even though I have been married to the same woman for 26 years, Jesus I and both know that my MIND has not been completely committed all that time. I am in the same boat as you and your husband: standing in the need of grace.
Now Jesus meets me and forgives me. Forgiven, I am called to live a new life with thanksgiving. That is what you and your husband could expect from most Lutheran congregations. Nobody would say that divorce is a good thing (although sometimes it is the lesser of the evils of any relationship) and no one advocated willy-nilly divorces (the "Hollywood" type). But, with real people and with real relationships, we welcome people who have come through the crucible of a broken marriage, and we welcome people who ,after the death of one relationship, have been blessed to find the new life in another.
I hope that this is helpful. I am sorry that it took me a few days to respond. God bless you and your husband in your love and in your journey.
