The divorce dilemma

What God has joined

THE DIVORCE DILEMMA
God's Last Word on Lasting Commitment
By John MacArthur
Day One. 104 pages. £6.00
ISBN 978-1-84625-107-8

Divorce is a difficult and controversial issue. So it is rather surprising to read MacArthur's forthright first sentence of this book, that confusion is due to ‘the fact that sin has clouded men's minds to the straightforward simplicity of what God has said’. The author believes that his humble consideration of Scripture will provide, as the subtitle suggests, the last word on the subject.

MacArthur spends time making the uncontroversial point that God hates divorce. He outlines the creation purpose, and shows that at the root of divorce is our sin. Much of the book is devoted to urging strong and enduring marriage relationships which will survive tensions and trouble and even offer forgiveness for sexual unfaithfulness. There is pastorally helpful material about our expectations when we go into marriage, and that it is in self-sacrificial, unconditional and life-long union that we find the satisfaction of marriage that God intends.

The heart of the book deals with the three key passages: Matthew 5 & 19, and 1 Corinthians 7. MacArthur opposes the ‘absolutist’ position of no divorce in any circumstances. Divorce is permitted in the case of sexual unfaithfulness, ‘specifically the hard-hearted adultery of an inveterately unfaithful spouse’ (p.24). In such a case, divorce and remarriage are open to the innocent party. They are also permitted when a Christian is deserted by an unbelieving spouse. But no allowance is made for violent abuse, etc., as grounds for divorce.

All seems clear up to this point, but then MacArthur qualifies. If you are converted after your divorce, then whatever the circumstances you may remarry. And it turns out that even for the guilty party who has sinned after conversion, ‘I'm not prepared to state dogmatically that such a person can never, under any circumstances, remarry’ (p.28).

This book is far from being the final word on the subject.

Bill James,
pastor, Emmanuel Evangelical Church, Leamington Spa

© Evangelicals Now - November 2009
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