Comments on: But How Biblical is the Divorce? http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/ by Hemant Mehta Sun, 27 May 2012 16:16:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Lee Horton http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-257033 Lee Horton Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:36:31 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-257033 To my mind, a divorce does not happen when you file. That announces the divorce that has already occurred, an emotional, physical, and sexual uncoupling. Does the school routinely interview its faculty to determine that their marriage has not sufferred a divorce because they are not "one" as the Bible describes - I think not. To my mind, a divorce does not happen when you file. That announces the divorce that has already occurred, an emotional, physical, and sexual uncoupling. Does the school routinely interview its faculty to determine that their marriage has not sufferred a divorce because they are not “one” as the Bible describes – I think not.

]]> By: What Has Divorce Got To Do With It? « A Thinking Man http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-160232 What Has Divorce Got To Do With It? « A Thinking Man Sat, 03 May 2008 13:32:59 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-160232 [...] I first read about this story several days ago in Hemant Mehta’s Friendly Atheist blog, it wouldn’t lie down and has been steadily building up steam in my ‘heart’ [...] [...] I first read about this story several days ago in Hemant Mehta’s Friendly Atheist blog, it wouldn’t lie down and has been steadily building up steam in my ‘heart’ [...]

]]> By: Steven Carr http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-160155 Steven Carr Sat, 03 May 2008 06:32:44 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-160155 ' can not but think of Christ’s response to the mob ready to stone the adultoror, “Let him who has not sinned cast the first stone.” ' This is not a story which appears in any text before the 4th century AD. It seems to be one of the many legends that Christians fabricated about Jesus. We don't really know what Jesus said about divorce. Christian scribes made many textual alterations to the sayings on divorce. All we do know is that Jesus forbid divorce and possibly remarriage, except in certain circumstances. ‘ can not but think of Christ’s response to the mob ready to stone the adultoror, “Let him who has not sinned cast the first stone.” ‘

This is not a story which appears in any text before the 4th century AD.

It seems to be one of the many legends that Christians fabricated about Jesus.

We don’t really know what Jesus said about divorce. Christian scribes made many textual alterations to the sayings on divorce. All we do know is that Jesus forbid divorce and possibly remarriage, except in certain circumstances.

]]> By: Richard Wade http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-160133 Richard Wade Sat, 03 May 2008 04:07:17 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-160133 To Steve Miraglia, Your compassionate nature is very heart warming and I can only hope that many more Christians follow the same path as you. Unfortunately Wheaton College is an institution and not an individual. Individuals can draw upon their own personal foibles and difficulties, and so be more forgiving of the foibles and difficulties of others. An institution is run by individuals, but its main focus is to project its agenda and to garner power, money and influence. Very often the individuals who have been running it for a long time gradually lose touch with their perspective as human beings and gradually become more rigid and reactionary. In short they become parts of the institution rather than individuals, mechanically enforcing rules rather than using well considered judgment to achieve the optimum benefit of everyone involved. My guess is that Mr. Gramm is probably a popular professor because he has been able to retain his humanity and his individual compassion and passion. Like the popular teachers I encountered in college, often the ones who stood up to the status quo, he probably completely outclasses his employer. I hope he soon finds a better teaching position in a college that will value his humanity rather than banish him for it. The purpose of an institution should be to serve people. When the purpose of an institution becomes for people to serve <em>it</em>, it should be torn down. To Steve Miraglia,
Your compassionate nature is very heart warming and I can only hope that many more Christians follow the same path as you.

Unfortunately Wheaton College is an institution and not an individual. Individuals can draw upon their own personal foibles and difficulties, and so be more forgiving of the foibles and difficulties of others. An institution is run by individuals, but its main focus is to project its agenda and to garner power, money and influence. Very often the individuals who have been running it for a long time gradually lose touch with their perspective as human beings and gradually become more rigid and reactionary. In short they become parts of the institution rather than individuals, mechanically enforcing rules rather than using well considered judgment to achieve the optimum benefit of everyone involved.

My guess is that Mr. Gramm is probably a popular professor because he has been able to retain his humanity and his individual compassion and passion. Like the popular teachers I encountered in college, often the ones who stood up to the status quo, he probably completely outclasses his employer. I hope he soon finds a better teaching position in a college that will value his humanity rather than banish him for it.

The purpose of an institution should be to serve people. When the purpose of an institution becomes for people to serve it, it should be torn down.

]]> By: Steve Miraglia http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-160119 Steve Miraglia Sat, 03 May 2008 02:40:49 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-160119 I am greatly ashamed at my alma mater. I can not but think of Christ's response to the mob ready to stone the adultoror, "Let him who has not sinned cast the first stone." Our Lord is a God of grace and each of us an imperfect vessel. We each sin everyday in so many ways; it is only through grace that we can find relationship with God. It is irrellevant if Dr. Grahm's situation meets the standards of a 'Biblically Sound' divorce or not (a concept that is hotly debated). The real question is whether Wheaton wants to embrace another sinful human being who needs love, comfort and support at a very difficult time in his life. After 15 years of marriage I too found myself in the midst of a very painful divorce (the details are not important). It was the love and support shown by my church, pastors, family and Christian friends that helped me make it through. They each modeled God's love and mercy. Might Wheaton do the same. God bless, Stephen, Class of 1990 I am greatly ashamed at my alma mater. I can not but think of Christ’s response to the mob ready to stone the adultoror, “Let him who has not sinned cast the first stone.” Our Lord is a God of grace and each of us an imperfect vessel. We each sin everyday in so many ways; it is only through grace that we can find relationship with God.

It is irrellevant if Dr. Grahm’s situation meets the standards of a ‘Biblically Sound’ divorce or not (a concept that is hotly debated). The real question is whether Wheaton wants to embrace another sinful human being who needs love, comfort and support at a very difficult time in his life.

After 15 years of marriage I too found myself in the midst of a very painful divorce (the details are not important). It was the love and support shown by my church, pastors, family and Christian friends that helped me make it through. They each modeled God’s love and mercy. Might Wheaton do the same.

God bless,
Stephen, Class of 1990

]]> By: Steven Carr http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-159528 Steven Carr Thu, 01 May 2008 06:17:10 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-159528 'Gramm said he understands the policy and recognizes that the college is within its rights to set its standards. Yet he said students are facing the same marital statistics as other Americans, and many will themselves someday divorce.' Of course. Studying the Bible, praying, being filled with the Holy Spirit, etc, does not transform your life. Christians remain ordinary people - appearing to all the world as if they were not filled with Holy Spirit. The only real difference is that some of them try to live by the rules that Jesus set his followers - rules about divorce, adultery, feeding the poor, fasting etc. ‘Gramm said he understands the policy and recognizes that the college is within its rights to set its standards. Yet he said students are facing the same marital statistics as other Americans, and many will themselves someday divorce.’

Of course.

Studying the Bible, praying, being filled with the Holy Spirit, etc, does not transform your life.

Christians remain ordinary people – appearing to all the world as if they were not filled with Holy Spirit.

The only real difference is that some of them try to live by the rules that Jesus set his followers – rules about divorce, adultery, feeding the poor, fasting etc.

]]> By: Mike Clawson http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-159526 Mike Clawson Thu, 01 May 2008 05:53:44 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-159526 <blockquote>I guess in the eyes of some Christians, some sins are less important than other sins.</blockquote> uhh, yeah... :roll:

I guess in the eyes of some Christians, some sins are less important than other sins.

uhh, yeah… :roll:

]]> By: Steven Carr http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-159519 Steven Carr Thu, 01 May 2008 05:41:02 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-159519 MIKE Yes, the Bible speaks against divorce, but it doesn’t say anything about people being fired for it. CARR The Bible speaks against murder, but it doesn't say anything about people being fired for it. I guess in the eyes of some Christians, some sins are less important than other sins. A very commendable attitude, but not a Christian one. Jesus taught that God will punish people for ever for the tiniest of sins. Even looking at a woman with lust gets you a free ticket to Hell, in the eyes of Jesus. MIKE
Yes, the Bible speaks against divorce, but it doesn’t say anything about people being fired for it.

CARR
The Bible speaks against murder, but it doesn’t say anything about people being fired for it.

I guess in the eyes of some Christians, some sins are less important than other sins.

A very commendable attitude, but not a Christian one. Jesus taught that God will punish people for ever for the tiniest of sins.

Even looking at a woman with lust gets you a free ticket to Hell, in the eyes of Jesus.

]]> By: Steven Carr http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-159517 Steven Carr Thu, 01 May 2008 05:37:32 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-159517 Jesus said what the circumstances were which allowed a divorce to take place. Wheaton are only applying the words of the person they worship. Jesus is important to Christians, you know! As I often say, scratch a fundamentalist and you will find Jesus underneath. They are making themselves look idiots, but they consider the principles of Jesus to be more important than their public image. The rest of us can only be thankful that we do not live by the words of Jesus. Jesus said what the circumstances were which allowed a divorce to take place.

Wheaton are only applying the words of the person they worship. Jesus is important to Christians, you know!

As I often say, scratch a fundamentalist and you will find Jesus underneath.

They are making themselves look idiots, but they consider the principles of Jesus to be more important than their public image.

The rest of us can only be thankful that we do not live by the words of Jesus.

]]> By: sabrina http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-159365 sabrina Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:07:05 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/04/29/but-how-biblical-is-the-divorce/#comment-159365 <blockquote>I knew a leader whose wife had an affair and ran off, divorcing him. The next year this man, who loved serving the group and put tons of energy into, was told he could no longer be a leader. His wife hurt him, and then the group threw him under the train. It was so sad.</blockquote> Wow, that is terrible. Right when he needed his faith the most, and his friends, they threw him under the bus. And then Christians wonder why so many people are running to atheism. Its very sad because (disclaimer: I'm not a Christian so I could be wrong) I don't remember their Christ turning his back on anyone :(

I knew a leader whose wife had an affair and ran off, divorcing him. The next year this man, who loved serving the group and put tons of energy into, was told he could no longer be a leader. His wife hurt him, and then the group threw him under the train. It was so sad.

Wow, that is terrible. Right when he needed his faith the most, and his friends, they threw him under the bus. And then Christians wonder why so many people are running to atheism. Its very sad because (disclaimer: I’m not a Christian so I could be wrong) I don’t remember their Christ turning his back on anyone :(

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