What Does Christianity Say About Divorce?

Nearly 40 percent of American marriages end in divorce, a problem that spares neither the secularist nor the believer. But Christians often do not know what the Bible--let alone their own faith--has to say about the issue of divorce. To untangle the confusion, a look at the Bible, and how different faiths interpret it, offers a reasonable starting point for finding the answers--some of them surprising, others not so surprising.

History

Throughout its first 400 years, the early Christian church took a hard line against divorce. Emperors who converted to Christianity, notably Constantine and Theodosius, restricted grounds for granting one to grave cause--a stricture that remained in force until Justinian relaxed it during the sixth century. The Christian church's influence ensured that divorce was uncommon, unlike in Middle Eastern countries--whose rates now rank among the world's lowest--and Japan, where one in eight marriages ended. As the twentieth century dawned, civil courts became the arbiter of marriage issues, yet included many Christian attitudes by limiting divorce to specific grounds, such as adultery or desertion. This stricture held until the liberalized 1960s and 1970s, as many states adopted the "no fault" standard, allowing for the dissolution of marriages by one partner without the legal burden of proof required to establish specific grounds.

Features

Christians accept that tough times are inevitable in any relationship, but are taught to seek God's guidance. Most of the Biblical commentary on divorce is found in the epistles of Paul, as well as the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. A classic example is Jesus' response to a question by the Pharisees--or local Jewish leaders--about whether divorce is lawful. Jesus responds by saying, "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder" (Mark 10:7-9). He considers these commands sufficiently important to underscore them in Mark 10:11, saying, "Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her." In this context, divorce is something that can happen to good people, and--although Christians are expected to seek a reconciliation--God knows that such things are impossible when a spouse may be cheating and not interested in continuing the marriage.

Types

Christian churches generally take a negative stance against divorce, with the amount of tolerance depending on the denomination. The Catholic Church's hardline stance--treating marriage as a sacrament that stays permanent throughout the spouses' lives--has changed little over time. Remarriage is not permitted without an annulment--and if the other partner remains alive--although divorced Catholics may participate in church life so long as they have not violated its laws. Mormons also view divorce as undesirable, with an emphasis on marriage as an eternal commitment to one another--minus the strictures imposed in the Catholic Church. Protestant attitudes divide along two lines of thought, with evangelicals condoning divorce only under specific lines--such as adultery--while their more liberal counterparts tend to take contemporary norms into account. For example, Anglicans accept that marriages do break down, despite both partners' best efforts, and no viable alternative may be available, and couples are free to remarry with the permission of their local bishop.

Considerations

Many New Testament verses address what Christians should do if they marry unbelievers--or non-Christians--an issue that first Corinthians 7:13-14 examines at length: "And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy." In short, Christians should heed whom they marry, especially if their partner does not share their faith--a condition labeled as "unequally yoked." In that situation, living in peace is the major goal. However, if non-Christian partners abandon them, Christians need not live in bondage, as 7 Corinthians 15 holds: "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." The word "depart" takes on critical importance here, implying such negative non-Christian behaviors as abandonment, adultery and abuse--leaving the Christian free to remarry.

Potential

As even a casual reading of the Bible might suggest, valid grounds exist for dissolving a marriage--due to sexual, mental and physical abuse, for example--but dissatisfaction is not, and should not, be among them. Even then, throughout all these issues, Christians are expected to uphold close relationships with God, and follow his word as closely as possible, asking Him for advice on the best course of action. Seeking the counsel of other Christians, pastors or counseling agencies is of value, as well. That said, Christians are expected to seek reconciliation, if possible, since forgiveness is the will of God and a major theme underpinning the Bible.

Resources

• Comparison of Christian Denominations' Ethical Views
• Theology of Divorce