Divorce and remarriage remain some of the most challenging and sensitive topics within the Church today. While modern culture has become increasingly permissive regarding the dissolution of marriage, Scripture upholds a high view of the marriage covenant.

We are conditioned to view marriage as disposable. We receive these messages through public figures such as popular actors and actresses, celebrities, and even politicians. However, Jesus’ teaching in Luke 16:18 provides a sobering warning:

“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.”

These words underscore the permanence of marriage and rebuke the widespread misinterpretation of God’s law by the Pharisees. To fully understand what Scripture teaches about divorce and remarriage, we must examine the historical context, the biblical framework, and the theological implications of Jesus’ words.

The Pharisees’ perversion of divorce and remarriage

During Jesus’ ministry, the Pharisees had established themselves as interpreters and enforcers of the Mosaic Law. However, they often distorted the law to fit their own desires. In many ways, the Pharisees revised the law of God to be reshaped in their image. The issue of divorce was no exception. They had developed an overly permissive view that allowed men to divorce their wives for nearly any reason. Their misinterpretation was based on a skewed reading of Deuteronomy 24:1-4, which they used to justify easy divorce.

The primary debate among Jewish scholars revolved around the phrase “some indecency” (ervat davar) in Deuteronomy 24:1. Two prominent rabbinical schools, the School of Shammai and the School of Hillel, had different interpretations:

The school of Shammai held a strict view, permitting divorce only in cases of sexual immorality.
The school of Hillel took a more liberal stance, allowing divorce for almost any reason, including trivial matters such as a wife burning food or becoming less attractive.
This debate formed the backdrop of the Pharisees’ question to Jesus in Matthew 19:3, where they asked, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” In Matthew 19, the Pharisees were seeking to trap Jesus. They wanted him to either teach in contradiction to the Mosaic Law or to uphold it to the point that Herod would do to Jesus what he did to John the Baptist. Jesus confronted them by asking if they had not read — implying that they had apparently read Rabbi Hillel rather than God’s law!

God’s original design for marriage

Marriage is foundational to God’s creation order. In Genesis 2:24, we see the first divine institution of marriage:

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

From the beginning, marriage was intended to be a permanent, covenantal union. This covenant reflects God’s own faithfulness and love, particularly as it relates to Christ’s relationship with the Church (Ephesians 5:31-32). Jesus affirms this divine institution in Matthew 19:4-6, stating, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” This statement directly contradicts the Pharisees’ approach to divorce and underscores the seriousness of breaking the marriage bond.

Biblical allowances for divorce

Though God’s ideal is lifelong marriage, Scripture does provide two explicit grounds for divorce: sexual immorality and willful desertion by an unbelieving spouse.

The exception clause: Divorce for sexual immorality

Jesus provides the clear and explicit exception for divorce in Matthew 19:9, “Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” The Greek word for sexual immorality here is porneia, a broad term encompassing various forms of sexual sin, including adultery, fornication, and other violations of marital faithfulness.

The Pharisees had misrepresented Deuteronomy 24:1 as a justification for no-fault divorce, but Jesus clarifies that only serious marital unfaithfulness constitutes legitimate grounds for divorce. However, even in such cases, divorce was permitted but not commanded. Before rushing through the doorway of divorce, reconciliation should always be pursued if possible.

The desertion clause: Divorce due to abandonment

The Apostle Paul provides another legitimate ground for divorce in 1 Corinthians 7:15, “If the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.” This refers to an unbelieving spouse who chooses to leave a believing partner. In such cases, Paul states that the believing spouse is no longer bound to the marriage. In such cases, the abandoned spouse is free to remarry. This is concluded by the language Paul uses in the text that suggests that the innocent party is not “enslaved” to the spouse who abandoned them.

In many ways, this serves as protection from abusive spouses who would keep their spouse under marital obligation after abandonment — treating them as property to be used rather than a spouse under a marriage covenant. In similar ways, the text in Deuteronomy protected women from that type of abuse in the Old Testament where men of Israel would leave their wives and take Gentile women leaving their wives vulnerable and with no legal support that their marriage had been severed. The giving of a bill of divorcement was a means of protection.

Remarriage after divorce

Often, one of the most controversial issues to reconcile is centered on remarriage. Can a person be remarried if they’ve been divorced? If a person has been divorced on biblical grounds, is remarriage permissible? This must always be considered on a case-by-case basis through the lens of Scripture. In some cases, it may be that a person has engaged in a sinful divorce and should be given the counsel that they should remain single. In other cases, a Christian may be counseled that remarriage is an option.

The majority of Reformed theologians have affirmed that remarriage is allowed for the innocent party. Theodore Beza, the successor of John Calvin, affirms:

“We do not allow divorce except for two causes: namely, adultery and malicious desertion. Both of these dissolve the bond of marriage. And when this happens, we say that it is lawful for the innocent party to remarry.”1

In a similar manner, William Perkins writes the following as he stands in the long line of the Reformers and their position on the issue of divorce and remarriage.

“In the case of adultery, the bond of marriage is broken, and the innocent party has liberty to remarry.”2

Thus, if a person has been divorced due to sexual immorality or desertion, remarriage is a legitimate option for the innocent party. Given the high view of marriage in Scripture, the church has a responsibility to uphold the sanctity of marriage. The church also bears the responsibility of ministering to those who have suffered through divorce.

1. Church accountability and discipline

Marriage is a covenant before God, and churches should be actively involved and engaged in marriage. If anyone should be upholding the holiness of marriage, it should be the church of Jesus Christ. Members of the local church should not view marriage as a private decision or a family matter that is disconnected from the local church. In other words, the local church should be far more engaged in marriages than merely guests at a celebration.

Premarital counseling should be engaged to prevent hasty or unwise marriages and prepare couples for marriage.
Church discipline should be applied in cases of sin and unbiblical divorce.
Encouraging reconciliation should be the common counsel from the beginning when sin threatens a marriage.
Shepherding for successful marriages should be the goal of regular ongoing pastoral ministry within the local church.
2. Grace for the divorced

For those who have divorced sinfully, God’s grace abounds. The Gospel assures us that no sin is beyond the reach of Christ’s redemption.

1 John 1:9 — “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.”
Romans 8:1 — “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Divorce is not an unpardonable sin. Those who repent and seek Christ’s grace will find restoration and renewal. The local church should not view members who have divorced to be branded with a “scarlet D” and treated as second-rate church members. Furthermore, Christians who come to the conclusion that their divorce and subsequent remarriage were unbiblical should not be gripped by the false idea that they are engaged in perpetual adultery for life. They are to be encouraged to run to the cross where they receive forgiveness and assurance in the finished work of Jesus! We are reminded of this truth in the hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul” penned by Horatio G. Spafford:

“My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”

Marriage is a divinely instituted covenant that reflects Christ’s love for His Church. While divorce is permitted in limited circumstances, it should never be taken lightly. As a Church, we must uphold the sanctity of marriage while extending grace and support to those who have experienced its brokenness.

Ultimately, Christ is the true and faithful bridegroom, whose love and commitment to His people never fail. May we, as His followers, seek to reflect that same faithfulness in our own marriages for the glory of our great God.
Sources:Christian Post

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ഡാളസ് :കേരള എക്യുമെനിക്കൽ ക്രിസ്ത്യൻ ഫെലോഷിപ്പിന്റെ ആഭിമുഖ്യത്തിൽ മാർച്ച് 8നു ശനിയാഴ്ച ഡാലസിൽ ലോക പ്രാർത്ഥനാ ദിനം സംഘടിപ്പിക്കുന്നു .ലോക പ്രാർത്ഥനാ ദിനം എന്നത് എല്ലാ വർഷവും മാർച്ച് മാസത്തിൽ ഒരു പൊതു പ്രാർത്ഥനാ ദിനം ആചരിക്കാൻ ഒത്തുചേരുന്ന നിരവധി വിശ്വാസങ്ങളിലും പാരമ്പര്യത്തിലുമുള്ള സ്ത്രീകളുടെ ഒരു ലോകമെമ്പാടുമുള്ള എക്യുമെനിക്കൽ പ്രസ്ഥാനമാണ്.

രാവിലെ 9:00 മുതൽ ഉച്ചയ്ക്ക് 12:30 വരെ നടക്കുന്ന ലോക പ്രാർത്ഥനാ ദിന പരിപാടികൾക്കു ആതിഥേയത്വം വഹിക്കുന്നത് സെന്റ് മേരിയുടെ മലങ്കര യാക്കോബായ സിറിയക് ഓർത്തഡോക്സ് പള്ളിയാണ് (2112 പഴയ ഡെന്റൺ റോഡ്, കരോൾട്ടൺ, TX).

“ഞാൻ നിങ്ങളെ അത്ഭുതകാര്യമായി സൃഷ്ടിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു ” സങ്കീർത്തനം 139:14 എന്നതാണ് ലോക പ്രാർത്ഥനാദിനത്തിന് വിഷയമായി തിരഞ്ഞെടുത്തിരിക്കുന്നത്.

കൂടുതൽ വിവരങ്ങൾക്കു മിസ്സിസ് ബെറ്റ്സി തോട്ടകാട്ട് (കൊച്ചമ്മ)( കൺവീനർ)917-291-7876,റവ. ഫാ. പോൾ സി തോട്ടകാട്ട് ( പ്രസിഡന്റ്)917-291-7877, റവ. ഷൈജു സി ജോയ് (വൈസ് പ്രസിഡന്റ്) 469-439-7398, മിസ്റ്റർ ഷാജി എസ് രാമപുരം(ജനറൽ സെക്രട്ടറി)972-261-4221.
Sources:nerkazhcha

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ന്യൂയോര്‍ക്ക്: ദൈവത്തിന്റെ കൃപയിലാണ് തങ്ങൾ വിശ്വസിക്കുന്നതെന്ന സാക്ഷ്യവുമായി അമേരിക്കന്‍ വൈസ് പ്രസിഡന്‍റ് ജെ‌ഡി വാന്‍സ്. ഫെബ്രുവരി 20-ന് മേരിലാൻഡിലെ നാഷണൽ ഹാർബറിൽ നടന്ന 2025 കൺസർവേറ്റീവ് പൊളിറ്റിക്കൽ ആക്ഷൻ കോൺഫറൻസിൻ്റെ (CPAC) പ്രധാന വേദിയിലെ അഭിമുഖത്തിനിടെയാണ് അദ്ദേഹം ഇക്കാര്യം പറഞ്ഞത്. ദൈവത്തിൻ്റെ കൃപയിൽ തങ്ങള്‍ വിശ്വസിക്കുന്നുവെന്നും അവിടുത്തെ ഇഷ്ടം നിറവേറ്റുവാന്‍ തങ്ങൾ പരമാവധി ശ്രമിക്കുന്നുണ്ടെന്നും വാൻസ് പറഞ്ഞു.

ധാർമ്മിക തത്വങ്ങളുടെ ഒരു കൂട്ടം മാത്രമല്ല ക്രൈസ്തവ വിശ്വാസത്തിൻ്റെ അടിസ്ഥാനം, മറിച്ച് വിശ്വാസമാണ്. ദൈവപുത്രൻ മനുഷ്യനായിത്തീർന്നു, അവൻ മരിച്ചവരിൽ നിന്ന് ഉയിർത്തെഴുന്നേറ്റു എന്നതാണ് ക്രൈസ്തവ വിശ്വാസത്തിൻ്റെ അടിസ്ഥാനം. ഇതില്‍ നിന്ന്‍ മനസിലാക്കേണ്ട പാഠങ്ങളില്‍ ഒന്ന്, മരണത്തെ ഭയപ്പെടേണ്ടതില്ല എന്നതാണ്. ഒരാളുടെ ജീവൻ നഷ്‌ടപ്പെടുക എന്ന്‍ പറയുമ്പോള്‍ പ്രധാനമായി ഒരാളുടെ ആത്മാവ് നഷ്‌ടമാകുമെന്ന് ഞാൻ കരുതുന്നു.

ഗർഭധാരണ കേന്ദ്രങ്ങളെ പിന്തുണച്ചും, കുടുംബങ്ങളെ വളർത്തിയെടുക്കാൻ ആളുകൾക്ക് താങ്ങാനാകുന്ന ചെലവുകൾ കുറയ്ക്കുന്നതിനുള്ള നയങ്ങൾ നടപ്പാക്കിയും, ഭ്രൂണഹത്യയെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള ധാരണകൾ മാറ്റിയും, ജീവന്‍ തിരഞ്ഞെടുക്കാൻ ആളുകളെ പ്രോത്സാഹിപ്പിച്ചും ജീവന്റെ സംസ്കാരം മുന്നോട്ട് കൊണ്ടുപോകാമെന്നും വാൻസ് അഭിമുഖത്തില്‍ പറഞ്ഞു. പ്രസിഡൻ്റ് ഡൊണാൾഡ് ട്രംപിനെ “അമേരിക്കൻ ചരിത്രത്തിലെ ഏറ്റവും പ്രോ-ലൈഫ് പ്രസിഡൻ്റ്” എന്ന് വാൻസ് വിശേഷിപ്പിച്ചു. അടിയുറച്ച കത്തോലിക്ക വിശ്വാസിയായ വാന്‍സ് ഭ്രൂണഹത്യയെ അതിശക്തമായി എതിര്‍ക്കുന്ന നേതാവ് കൂടിയാണ്.
കടപ്പാട് :പ്രവാചക ശബ്ദം

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U.S. Vice President JD Vance advocated for government policies and cultural values that encourage Americans to “choose life” and “start families” during an interview on the main stage of the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Feb. 20 in National Harbor, Maryland.

“[People need to] stop thinking about babies as inconveniences to be discarded,” Vance said in a Thursday morning interview with Mercedes Schlapp, a senior fellow at the American Conservative Union Foundation and the wife of ACU chairman and CPAC organizer Matt Schlapp.

“We’ve got to start thinking of them as blessings to cherish,” Vance said.

During the interview, Vance noted that the United States Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade completely changed the abortion debate in the country by allowing the “will of the people to speak on the life issue” and removing it from “unelected bureaucrats” and “unelected judges.”

Vance suggested advancing a culture of life by supporting pro-life pregnancy centers, enacting policies to bring costs down so people can afford to raise families, changing perceptions about abortion, and encouraging people to choose life.

“Maybe they’ll start thinking of babies as the blessings that we all know that they are,” Vance said.

Vance referred to President Donald Trump as the “most pro-life president in American history” for nominating three of the justices who joined the majority opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade. However, he did not address the concerns pro-life advocates have raised with Trump’s recent executive order to expand and reduce the costs of in vitro fertilization , a fertility treatment in which human embryos are routinely destroyed.

Discussing his faith, the vice president, who is a convert to Catholicism, described himself as “very pro-life” and “a devout Christian.”

I just marvel at how real, and exceedingly impressive this guy @JDVance is. We are so blessed to have him as our VP.

“We put our faith in God above, we put our faith in the grace of God, and we try our best to do his will,” Vance said.

Vance discusses immigration, the economy, and energy

During the interview, Vance said the 2024 election gave Trump a “historic mandate on a few issues,” specifically on his efforts to deport immigrants who entered the country illegally, his plans to expand domestic energy and improve the economy, and his actions to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse within the government.

“The American people gave us a window to save the country and that’s exactly what we’re going to do,” the vice president said.

Vance spoke about Trump’s deportation efforts, his restrictions on border crossings, and his decision to designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. He said his message to drug traffickers is for them to “get the hell out of our country.”

“Your free ride is over because President Trump is back in the Oval Office,” Vance added.

The vice president said Trump intends to “unleash American energy” with policies such as more drilling for oil on American land. This, he said, will “do more than anything” to help the economy because high costs of fuel increase costs for other things.

He also said Trump will ensure “other countries stop taking advantage of us,” extend his tax cuts, and end taxes on tips. He praised the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to stop “wasting [taxpayer money] on garbage.”

“We want your children and grandchildren to be able to raise a family in security and comfort in the country we all love,” Vance said.

Schlapp’s interview with the vice president kicked off CPAC’s three-day conference. Other figures scheduled to speak at the annual event include Trump, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Republican lawmakers and administration officials, foreign leaders, and various conservative media personalities.
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