I was discussing sex with a friend of mine, and then we started talking about divorce (sadly). On what grounds is it permitted? When is it an indication of frivolity? After some research, here are my thoughts.
I agree that the bible is our measure of morality. But we need to take this with a pinch of salt (for lack of a better idiom). Carl Braaten mentions in Christian Dogmatics that “The ultimate authority of Christian theology is not the biblical canon as such, but the gospel of Jesus Christ to which the Scriptures bear witness ”. So it really isn’t the bible that gives us our norms. The bible needs to be read in the context of those days. Laws and commandments set in the bible should not be taken to be morals cast in stone. We need to ask what the underlying principle of those laws are. But the underlying principle is not enough. The core of our moral decisions should be how they reflect the love that we have learnt to know in Christ. We need to relate morals to Christ. This is when it becomes subjective. Whenever there is an element of interpretation, there is an element of subjectivity. Let me go a step further to say that.... Even if we’ve established morals in relation to Christ (even if you argue that there is no subjectivity involved), there are exceptions! Let me paraphrase from the writings of Bruce V. Malchow from the Lutheran School of Theology and Mission to illustrate this:
In Mark, Jesus says the following: "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery" (10:11-12). However, in Matthew, Jesus says the following: "anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery" (5:32). Now, there is one reason why divorce may be acceptable - unchastity. Paul adds another exception to Jesus' rule when he says, "if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so, in such a case the brother or sister is not bound" (1 Cor 7:15). So now there is a second reason that divorce can be all right--desertion. There are other valid causes for divorce! While Jesus' rule stands as our general guide, we pastorally evaluate every case to see whether divorce is the better alternative.
My point is that morals are dynamic. It doesn’t always mean that we’re compromising. It could very well be a well-intentioned effort at staying relevant to our times. This makes it subjective.
I agree that the bible is our measure of morality. But we need to take this with a pinch of salt (for lack of a better idiom). Carl Braaten mentions in Christian Dogmatics that “The ultimate authority of Christian theology is not the biblical canon as such, but the gospel of Jesus Christ to which the Scriptures bear witness ”. So it really isn’t the bible that gives us our norms. The bible needs to be read in the context of those days. Laws and commandments set in the bible should not be taken to be morals cast in stone. We need to ask what the underlying principle of those laws are. But the underlying principle is not enough. The core of our moral decisions should be how they reflect the love that we have learnt to know in Christ. We need to relate morals to Christ. This is when it becomes subjective. Whenever there is an element of interpretation, there is an element of subjectivity. Let me go a step further to say that.... Even if we’ve established morals in relation to Christ (even if you argue that there is no subjectivity involved), there are exceptions! Let me paraphrase from the writings of Bruce V. Malchow from the Lutheran School of Theology and Mission to illustrate this:
In Mark, Jesus says the following: "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery" (10:11-12). However, in Matthew, Jesus says the following: "anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery" (5:32). Now, there is one reason why divorce may be acceptable - unchastity. Paul adds another exception to Jesus' rule when he says, "if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so, in such a case the brother or sister is not bound" (1 Cor 7:15). So now there is a second reason that divorce can be all right--desertion. There are other valid causes for divorce! While Jesus' rule stands as our general guide, we pastorally evaluate every case to see whether divorce is the better alternative.
My point is that morals are dynamic. It doesn’t always mean that we’re compromising. It could very well be a well-intentioned effort at staying relevant to our times. This makes it subjective.
