Background:
o Presently, there are about 70,000 divorces in Canada each year. The US has the highest divorce rates in the world, closely followed by Sweden and Canada. In these three countries, 40 to 50% of all marriages eventually end in a divorce. The Canadian divorce rate by the 30th anniversary was 51% in 1987 but dropped to 38% in 2000. The decrease is partly due to the decision of many couples not to marry but to live together without marriage.
o Marriage was established, sanctioned and witnessed by God (Gen 2:18; Mt 19:6).
o Marriage is a continuation of the divine creation through procreation of the human race (Gen 4:1).
o Marriage provides for the well being of human beings (Gen 2:20-24; Mk 10:6-9).
o Marriage is a blessing that provides intimate companionship (Gen 2:18).
o Marriage is an essential, sacred institution, a cornerstone of society.
o Marriage is a life-long commitment; the word “cleave” (Heb. dabaq) means “to cling to, be glued firmly” indicating a permanent relationship intrinsic in dissolubility of marriage.
o Marriage has priority over all other human relationships.
o Marriage should be monogamous (Gen 2:24).
o Marriage is not a necessity for fulfilment in God’s highest purpose.
o A Christian should not marry a non-Christian (2Co 6:14; 1Co 7:39).
· In Canada, a couple is deemed to be married after living together for an extended period of time.
· It is not a proper Christian model and is equivalent to fornication, clearly a sin.
· Marriage is established through legal contract and pledged vows, not just by living together.
· Cohabiting unions tend to weaken the institution of marriage. Cohabiting women are twice as likely as married women to be physically abused and three times as likely to be depressed.
· God hates divorce (Mal 2:16). Divorce is a departure from the purposes of God.
· Since marriage is a permanent bond (Mt 19:6; Mk 10:9), divorce is prohibited (1Co 7:10-11).
· In the creation ideal, divorce is not recommended nor sanctioned. It is permitted in the Mosaic Law (Dt 24:1-2) only because of man’s “hardness of heart” (Mt 19:8).
· Divorce has a heavy toll on children from the marriage.
o “Marital unfaithfulness”: The Greek word used for “fornication” (porneias) referring to all kinds of sexual immorality (including adultery, homosexuality, incest, etc.) which desecrates the marriage.
o It is important that a believer accepts divorce only as a last resort. When one partner of a divorce has become involved in adultery, the offended spouse is permitted, though not required, to get a divorce.
o God divorced His bride (Israel) because of adultery (unfaithfulness, idolatry) (Jer 3:8).
o Desertion is the abandoning of a marriage without just cause.
o If a non-believing spouse desert the family for an extended period of time, the believer may agree to a divorce. However, such decision should only be made after attempts at reconciliation have been rejected.
o “Desertion” may also mean persistence of physical abuse, drunkenness, lack of financial support.
· If a Christian couple is truly incompatible and if all attempts of reconciliation fail, legal separation (not divorce) may be the solution.
· If divorced on scriptural grounds, divorced and remarried can serve as leaders.
· A person who had a divorce or a remarriage not based on Biblical principles should be disciplined by the church. The person should then be accepted as fully after genuine repentence.
· Discretion must be exercised in the choice of allowing divorced and remarried persons to serve as leaders in the church as leaders need to be above reproach.
· The Bible assumes monogamy is the proper way in marriage (Gen 2:24; Pr 18:22; 1Ti 3:2).
· The Bible describes bad consequences of polygamy, such as Abraham, David, Solomon.