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 A man and a woman each were baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and married very recently in the Lutheran Church in North Dakota. One spouse cheated and had sexual relations with another person before the wedding and within a week or two after the wedding and says the cheating will not stop. A divorce is imminent. Is an annulment possible in the Lutheran Church?
Answer Bonnie:
Thank you for your question. As Lutherans, we really have no provision for a theological annulment. The heartbreak of a broken marriage is difficult and painful and often times, leads to a divorce. As Lutherans, we simply recognize the death of the relationship and the divorce that happens. We mourn for the loss of love and the death of the marriage, and we work to stand with the grieved and the wounded. Divorce is a sad reality of a broken world with broken people.
It is only the Roman Catholic church--who technically prohibits divorce and remarriage--that allows for a theological annulment. That provision is given so that Roman Catholic laypeople can get married again without suffering the sanctions of the church. I distinguish this "theological" annulment since it is different from a legal, civil annulment. A civil annulment is part of the laws of the state in which you live and those rules are distinct and clear. Any so-called theological annulment would serve a different, church law purpose, which is something we as Lutherans don't do. We recognize that people get divorced, often due to no fault of their own. We also accept them no differently than anyone else. We accept remarriage, although any good pastor would no doubt wish to discuss the realities of that divorce in any subsequent pre-marriage counseling.
I am sorry for the loss of the couple that you describe, and especially the women who definitely seems to be the victim here. I hope and pray that she can find the healing and grace that she needs first, in the promise of Jesus in the gospel, and second in the loving embrace of her family and her faith community.
