Genesis 2:24 , Deuteronomy 24:1-4 , Matthew 5:31-32; 19:9 , Romans 7:2-3 , 1 Corinthians 7:39 , Genesis 1:27 , Malachi 2:16 ,Matthew 9:7; 19:5-6
Many of the topics discussed in earlier chapters can put great strain on a marriage. so can situations where one partner is diagnosed with HIV/AIDS or some other illness. What should the Christian response be when the unity that should be present in a marriage cracks and one or both parties seek a divorce? And what is the status of the Christian who is divorced? Can he or she be a full member of the church? Can he or she be permitted to marry again? These questions are becoming increasingly urgent as African societies are being affected by Western values, with their easy acceptance of divorce and what could be called “serial polygamy”.
Divorce must be understood in the context of the purposes of marriage. In Africa, the most important reason for getting married has traditionally been procreation. a marriage that fails to produce children is thus in crisis. Danfulani Kore underscores this point. His study of 34 ethinic groups of Africa showed that “ the greatest single factor that causes a quick divorce …. is childlessness”. No matter how satisfactory a wife may be in all other respects, if she does not produce a child, her husband will either divorce her or will marry additional wives in order to have children. Sometimes, he will take these steps simply because the wife has failed to produce a male child. “It appears that having children is of higher importance than even the marriage union itself”.
Another scholar who has studied Christian marriages in Africa insists that “ the church needs to insist very strongly that a childless marriage should not be regarded as an invalid marriage, and those within such a union should be given every help to persevere. It would be very wrong to make sterility a ground for nullity”. But he also concedes that “the production of children is such a central part of marriage, it should be easier for the church to accept the dissolution of a brief childless union than one in which children have been born”.
Early Christian missions in Africa also permitted divorcing an unbelieving partner and remarrying a believing partner. And many African Initiated Churches permit divorce and remarriage, as well as polygamous marriages.
- How does the O.T. writers address divorce and remarriage and how does this apply to our theme this week (Divorce and Remarriage)?
- What difference will it make in your study of Divorce and Remarriage if you are able to have confidence that what you are reading is in fact not just the ideas of men but the very Word of God?
Now if you believe the words from Genesis 2:24; Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Matthew 5:31-32; 19:9; Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:39; Genesis 1:27; Malachi 2:16; Matthew 9:7; 19:5-6 like nakedness, shameful exposure, unfaithfulness, fornication, and immorality apply to divorce and remarriage, then are these words of men or of God? Explain your answer.
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