Divorce and Christianity Beliefs
Divorce is an issue that has been hotly debated since Biblical times. According to the Old Testament, divorce was explicitly permitted in only four cases, whereas the New Testament speaks only of divorce in the context of adultery. While divorce is a viable option for many couples, in the Christian community it is seen as a failure. But is divorce really against the Christian faith? This article provides a comprehensive analysis by exploring some of the traditional beliefs, examining the most up-to-date views of the subject and considering the emotional impact of divorce from a spiritual perspective.
Traditional Views of Divorce among Christians
Throughout history, Christian-based religions have generally taken a strict stance on divorce. The early Church fathers regarded it as unchristian, and many denominations adopted the same view. The Catholic Church, for example, taught that divorce was sinful and against the will of God, and that anyone who divorced, then remarried, was committing another sin. Other denominations, such as Lutherans, also frowned upon divorce except in cases of adultery or other extreme circumstances.
Today, the majority of Christian denominations have not changed their views on divorce, and in general, remarriage is still not permitted. In some denominations, couples who have obtained a civil divorce are barred from taking communion and are not allowed to participate in church activities.
Divorce and the Modern Christian Community
However, in recent years the attitude towards divorce among Christians has begun to change. There is a growing recognition that, although divorce is many times not desirable, it may sometimes be necessary. This change in attitude has been driven, in part, by the largely secular society in which most people now live. As secularism has increased, it has opened the door for less traditional views of divorce to be accepted.
As a result, many Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church, now recognize that there are occasions when divorce is the only practical option, and may even be the best option. Some churches now acknowledge that there may be situations in which a faithful marriage cannot be saved, and support may be provided for those who find themselves in this situation.
Emotional Impact of Divorce on Christians
Divorce often brings with it a great deal of emotional baggage. When a Christian couple divorces, they may have to face disapproval from their faith community. This can, in turn, magnify the sense of shame and guilt they may be feeling as a result of the breakup of their marriage. Furthermore, if the couple chooses to remarry, they may still be judged and ostracized by people who believe the Bible still forbids such unions.
The emotional impact of divorce can be particularly strong for Christian couples because the Bible strongly encourages marriage and discourages divorce. This can leave them feeling like they have failed in their duty to uphold the sanctity of marriage, as prescribed by their religious teachings. As a result, many Christians may choose to stay in a troubled marriage out of a sense of guilt, rather than recognizing that divorce is sometimes the best option.
Divorce, From a Biblical Perspective
While there are differing views about divorce within Christian circles, the most commonly held view is that divorce is something to be avoided, if at all possible. The Bible warns that divorce should be a last resort and not a first step in resolving marriage problems. If there is hope of reconciling the marriage, it should be pursued. On the other hand, if a marriage has irretrievably broken down and there is no hope of salvaging it, then divorce may be the only practical solution.
Ultimately, whether divorce is seen as being against Christianity will depend on the denomination and the particular interpretation of the Bible. But it is important to remember that, even in Christianity, it is possible to find exceptions to the rule. Certainly, if a marriage is in crisis, it is important to explore all available options. In some cases, divorce may be the most practical and desirable outcome.
Conclusion
Although divorce has generally been seen as an undesirable outcome by many Christian denominations, in recent years there has been a shift in attitude towards this issue. It is now widely recognized that in some circumstances, divorce may be the only practical solution. In such cases, it is important to remember that God’s love still extends to those who have been through divorce, and that judgement and condemnation by other Christians should be avoided.
Should Christians Who Remarry after Divorce be Allowed to Take Communion?
The question of whether Christians who remarry after divorce should be allowed to take communion is a controversial one. Most Christian denominations still do not permit those in such a situation to receive this sacrament, as it is seen as a violation of the religious beliefs about the sanctity of marriage. There are, however, some churches that are beginning to relax this prohibition. These churches may allow those who have obtained a civil divorce and later remarried to take communion, on the basis that the marriage is valid in the eyes of the civil law.
However, the majority of Christian denominations still take a firm stance on this issue, and believe that anyone who enters into a marriage that is not recognized by the Church should not be allowed to receive communion. The argument is that it is not possible to fully honor the sacred vow of marriage if the marriage is not sanctified by God. The belief is that someone who has divorced and remarried is still in violation of the Christian view of marriage, and as a result, should not be allowed to take communion.
Divorce and Counseling within the Christian Faith
When it comes to divorce, the Christian faith emphasizes that couples should strongly consider counseling and doing the work necessary to save their marriages. This counseling should come from a professional who has theological training and is capable of providing the couple with spiritual guidance. It is very important that the couple take all opportunities to reconcile the marriage before going through with the divorce.
Christian counseling, as opposed to secular counseling, seeks to give advice and support from a spiritual perspective. This type of counseling not only provides couples with guidance for making the best decisions for their marriage, but also helps them to manage the emotional and spiritual aspects of the divorce. This type of counseling often provides greater healing and comfort to those going through a divorce, when compared to traditional counseling.
Divorce and Forgiveness Within Christianity
Christianity emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, not only of others but also of oneself. When a marriage breaks down and divorce is unavoidable, many people feel a sense of guilt and shame. This can prevent them from being able to forgive themselves and move forward in life. It is important to remember that forgiveness of oneself is a key part of the healing process, and that God is capable of forgiving even the greatest sins.
Furthermore, it is possible to forgive someone who has hurt you, even if you are still hurt by the experience. God does not require us to wipe away all of the hurt that comes with the pain of divorce, but He can help those who are willing to forgive and to move on. The ability to forgive is a powerful tool for healing and for finding peace in life.
Divorce and Reconciliation in Christianity
One of the main themes of the Christian faith is reconciliation, and this is also a key part of dealing with divorce. It is important to remember that while the act of divorce might be necessary, it is not the end of the journey. It is possible to have a reconciled relationship with an ex-spouse even if the marriage is no longer intact.
Many Christians may try to rebuild a relationship with an ex-spouse after they have gone through a divorce, either through counseling or informal communication. In these cases, it is important to have boundaries in place, and to remember that reconciliation should not be forced if it is not desired by both parties. Reconciliation is a process that takes time, and it is important to remember that it is possible to have a reconciled and respectful relationship with an ex-spouse even if the marriage is over.
