Jbird...There is no bondage where there is none. An abusive situation is a bad one but no one is keeping them living in the same house!! It would be ignorant to stay in a corner and keeep getting beaten...
Cindy said,
Not so in the NT teachings of Jesus and Paul. Both taught that marriage is a permanent institution, intended from the beginning to be so, but divorce had been permitted for a time due to the hardheartedness of man. Paul clearly let men know that what God once "winked at" would no longer be tolerated.
_________________Diane
He who confess and forsakes finds mercy. A homosexual was never married theres no such thing as a gay marriage!
_________________Cindy
So true! This is taught by one who demanded perfection, who also said: If you are angry at your brother you are guilty of murder, and if you look lustfully at a woman you .....
I suspect very soon, if it is not already happening there will be countless lawsuits making there way through the court systems filed by single and married homosexuals who are being rejected from acceptance in leadership roles in Evangelical Fundamentalists Churches. As there always is, there will be eager sympathetic attorneys willing and ready to take these cases, and one of the arguments for these cases will be the apparent hypocrisy of some Churches that have placed adulterers into leadership positions, Pastors, Elders, Deacons, Teachers etc . Placement, Ordination and recognition that even fifty years ago would have never happened. There will be those who will claim this to be an attack from satan upon the Church, but I believe the Church will find itself fighting God. When Scripture is reinterpreted to fit with Christian Pop Culture, in order to be more accommodating to the seeker, yes I believe the Church finds itself fighting against God And make no mistake, the funds to defend itself in Court will come out of our pockets from the tithes and offerings. Church finances used for out of court settlements, skyrocketing insurance premiums, attorney fees, punitive damages.This whole mess is coming full circle, and it is coming with fury. Jeremiah 6:16 16 [i]Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, [u]We will not walk therein[/u][/i]tonys
_________________Tony Sexton
We as members may be split on this, but who are we compared to some of our greatest expositors ?If they can disagree amongst themselves on this and other teachings ... should we carve our own thoughts in stone just yet ?For example, just a few here ....1Co 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. Vincent's Word Studies:1Co 7:15 - Is not under bondage (οὐ δεδούλωται)A strong word, indicating that Christianity has not made marriage a state of slavery to believers. Compare δέδεται is bound, 1Co_7:39, a milder word. The meaning clearly is that willful desertion on the part of the unbelieving husband or wife sets the other party free. Such cases are not comprehended in Christ's words.Hath called us to peace (ἐν εἰρήνη κέκληκεν ἡμᾶς)Rev., correctly, in peace. Compare Gal_1:6, into the grace (ἐν χάριτι, Rev., in); Eph_4:4, in one hope (ἐν μιᾷ ἐλπίδι); 1Th_4:7, in sanctification (ἐν ἁγιασμῷ). Denoting the sphere or element of the divine calling. Enslavement in the marriage relation between the believer and the unbeliever is contrary to the spirit and intent of this calling.John Gill:a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. The Ethiopic version reads it, "to such an one"; one that is called by grace a church member, and so a brother or sister in Christ, is not to be subject to an unbeliever in matters of conscience, in things appertaining to the worship of God, and the service and glory of Christ; nor, being in such circumstances, that either Christ must be forsaken, or the unbeliever will depart, are they obliged to yield to such an one, but rather suffer a departure; nor are they bound to remain unmarried, but are free to marry another person, after all proper methods have been tried for a reconciliation, and that appears to be impracticable; desertion in such a case, and attended with such circumstances, is a breach of the marriage contract, and a dissolution of the bond, and the deserted person may lawfully marry again; otherwise a brother, or a sister in such a case, would be in subjection and bondage to such a person.Matthew Henry:1Co 7:15 - But, though a believing wife or husband should not separate from an unbelieving mate, yet if the unbelieving relative desert the believer, and no means can reconcile to a cohabitation, in such a case a brother or sister is not in bondage (1Co_7:15), not tied up to the unreasonable humour, and bound servilely to follow or cleave to the malicious deserter, or not bound to live unmarried after all proper means for reconciliation have been tried, at least of the deserter contract another marriage or be guilty of adultery, which was a very easy supposition, because a very common instance among the heathen inhabitants of Corinth. In such a case the deserted person must be free to marry again, and it is granted on all hands. And some think that such a malicious desertion is as much a dissolution of the marriage-covenant as death itself. For how is it possible that the two shall be one flesh when the one is maliciously bent to part from or put away the other? Indeed, the deserter seems still bound by the matrimonial contract; and therefore the apostle says (1Co_7:11), If the woman depart from her husband upon the account of his infidelity, let her remain unmarried. But the deserted party seems to be left more at liberty (I mean supposing all the proper means have been used to reclaim the deserter, and other circumstances make it necessary) to marry another person. It does not seem reasonable that they should be still bound, when it is rendered impossible to perform conjugal duties or enjoy conjugal comforts, through the mere fault of their mate: in such a case marriage would be a state of servitude indeed. A.T. Robertson:Is not under bondage (ou dedoulōtai). Perfect passive indicative of douloō, to enslave, has been enslaved, does not remain a slave. The believing husband or wife is not at liberty to separate, unless the disbeliever or pagan insists on it. Wilful desertion of the unbeliever sets the other free, a case not contemplated in Christs words in Mat_5:32; Mat_19:9. Luther argued that the Christian partner, thus released, may marry again. But that is by no means clear, [u]unless the unbeliever marries first.[/u] 1Ti 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. Wesley:1Ti 3:2 - Therefore - That he may be capable of it. A bishop - Or pastor of a congregation. Must be blameless - Without fault or just suspicion. The husband of one wife - This neither means that a bishop must be married, nor that he may not marry a second wife; which it is just as lawful for him to do as to marry a first, and may in some cases be his bounden duty. But whereas polygamy and divorce on slight occasions were common both among the Jews and heathens, it teaches us that ministers, of all others, ought to stand clear of those sins. Vigilant, prudent - Lively and zealous, yet calm and wise. Of good behaviour - Naturally flowing from that vigilance and prudence.Vincent's Word Studies:The opposition to second marriage became very strong in the latter part of the second century. It was elevated into an article of faith by the Montanists, and was emphasized by Tertullian, and by Athenagoras, who called second marriage a specious adultery (εὐπρεπής μοιχεία)A.T. Robertson'sOf one wife (mias gunaikos). One at a time, clearly. Of Denominations: Most all except Annulments for Pastors or for the Pastor's potential wife. AoG and most all else.
I suspect very soon, if it is not already happening there will be countless lawsuits making there way through the court systems filed by single and married homosexuals who are being rejected from acceptance in leadership roles in Evangelical Fundamentalists Churches.
An abusive situation is a bad one but no one is keeping them living in the same house!! It would be ignorant to stay in a corner and keep getting beaten...
We also have the word that the bond of marriage endures until the death of one of the spouses---neither divorce, nor adultery, nor remarriage will break/dissolve that original marriage bond
many pastors become controlling, and lord over their families in an attempt to keep them under submission so they remain 'biblical' in the eyes of the church. If a man can't rule their house in love than they will probably miss the whole meaning of ministry also
It is good to comb the Bible for all of the laws and be zealous for Gods righteous standards. The problem is, because of our blind spots, we miss a lot of laws that apply to us regarding our response to sinners. Also we end up stuck in legal thinking as is the case here:
How does one conduct their relationships with sinners when one does not move from the ideal perfect standard of righteousness to what is REALITY. How does one treat someone who has never cut off their right hand (in their opinion). How does one treat remarried divorcees if one views them as living in sin? Does one refuse to allow them into their homes? What about looking for FRUIT in their PRESENT lives, as we are called to do? Is one able to do that?
When a "married" homosexual comes to Christ, would it be ok with the Lord, if he confessed his sinfulness, yet stayed in his "unbiblical" marriage?
_________________Josh Parsley