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Blessings
Frank wrote, saying: "I just thought I would pass on my
two cents on your site. I thought it was well done and found your latest
addition, Marriage, Divorce, and Adultery to
be inspiring. This message is often overlooked while people bash other sins
that are not as common."
Judy wrote, saying: "Oh, how I agree with you! It is no
accident that the Lord has laid these same things upon my heart. This morning
during my quiet time I was so filled with grief and sorrow I truly felt my
heart would break. The Lord told me to read Jeremiah again and as I began to
read I was filled with such foreboding concerning this country. He has called
me, too, to be a watchman on the wall.
Because my family has been torn
apart by the devastation of adultery and divorce, I have studied the marriage
covenant and divorce for the last five years. I have read the Bible through
searching for God's truth and wisdom in this area. I have read everything I can
get my hands on from as many diverse opinions as I can find. I have searched
the internet extensively also. I have asked the Lord to give me wisdom
according to James 1:4,5 and for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to me in this
area. I have spent literally hours a day in the Word and on my face seeking His
way and His will.
As a school teacher for 29 years and the mother of
two grown sons, I have in my vocation, and personally, experienced the
devastation of divorce and remarriage among Christians and listened to the
deceit not only among Christian lay people, but also from Christian leaders,
scholars and pastors. I have asked the Lord why He has shown me truth in this
area while so many are deceived. He has told me that they were seeking ways out
of His will and thus looking for His stamp of approval on their desire to fill
their own selfish needs and to be "happy".
I truly believe the Lord
has opened my eyes in this area and I walk in truth. If I am deceived in this
area, then I have to doubt my God because He tells me that if I ask anything
according to His will and I seek His wisdom and His way, the Holy Spirit will
reveal all truth.
Because of what He has shown me, I have been almost
overwhelmed as I have tried to speak the truth in love to those who are blind
in this area.
I guess the reason I am going into such detail about
this is because there are so few people who do not want to walk in compromise
in this and so many areas of the Word and the Lord knew I needed to be
encouraged at this very moment. Thank you for your bold stand.
I just
guess I am looking for encouragement in this very lonely walk. How I identify
with Jeremiah whose audience only wanted their ears tickled."
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Criticism
George wrote, saying: "You have a very good website, but
are wrong on the issue of divorce and remarriage as taught by Christ.
The King James Version is flawed concerning Matthew 19:9. If you read
the footnotes in a Revised Standard Version, you will find the authorities used
by the translators of the KJV were missing the words "makes her commit
adultery" after the words "...except for 'pornea'. The footnotes in the RSV
next say, other ancient authorities insert 'and he who marries a divorced woman
commits adultery' after this.
The Bible then reads, "But I say to you ,
whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another,
makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits
adultery." NKJV
This is the same as Matthew 5:32 and concurs with Mark
10:11 and Luke 16:18. Inerrancy demands this to be true, because Scripture
cannot contradict Scripture. If not true, then the word
"whoever/anyone/everyone" in Mark 10:11 and Luke 16:18 would be an error in
Scripture. "
H. E. wrote, saying: "May I respectifully make a comment
on your writings. I just read your article on the divorce and remarriage, and
particularily on the grounds for divorce and remarriage. You use the passages
in Mat. 5 and 19 and translate "fornication" as "adultery". You ought to
carefully examine the usage of those words in the Bible and not confuse them,
nor mix them. The words are not the same, and the rest of the Bible does not
give any grounds for divorce and remarriage. You are among those who by your
bad interpretation are leading Christians into disobedience to God . You are
accountable.
I have read other parts of your sites, and other articles,
and appreciate them. "
Ned wrote, saying: "I'm sure you have received "static"
about your article on Divorce, Remarriage and Adultery. So here is a little
more--but in a good spirit, not to be hyper, but to prove all things, hold fast
to that which is good, idea.
I think you are conforming to the NIV,
etc., versions, when you translate fornication the same as adultery, and make
marital unfaithfulness an excuse for divorce and remarriage. I know that some
lexicons translate it that way, too, but the usage of the word fornication is
in the context of an unmarried state. The prime example of this is the case of
Joseph and Mary. She was called his wife, even though they had not consumated
the marriage by physical joining. In our culture they were not married, but in
the Jewish culture they were, though not living together. What he thought she
had done was not adultery, but fornication, and thus he was permitted to
divorce her. A-la Deut. 24, too. This is the only place in the NT where an
exception for divorce ( though properly for remarriage) is made. All other
places both in the teaching of Jesus, and of the Apostles does not include, nor
permit an excuse. "
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