LNA writes:
Look at the basic issue of divorce itself.
I have this book by a great scholar (he spends a lot of time on Aramaic and Greek words, and is respected on all sorts of textual critical and historical-critical issues), but he did something different. He looked at contemporary applications of scripture by various religious communities and spent a few pages (though a small percentage of his overall massive work which otherwise was more historically oriented like typical scholars).
The issue of divorce is confusing but it seems that the New Testament prohibition was compromised by protestants for reasons involving secular realities (and the church policies were essentially an attempt to match doctrine with secular law).
What's so wrong with Protestant Scholars? I would much rather have the issue raised by them than from a van down by the river full of illiterate drifters.
Stop and think. What makes a contemporary scholar less of an "authority" than an ancient scribe? Perhaps you may argue that the ancient scribe was in closer proximity to "the truth" but I would argue that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead and which spurred the authorship of the Canons is every bit as alive and influential to those who have an ear to accept it, grasp the truth, and quit playing on as if being unbiased critical thinkers gives them any more of an insight into this eternal truth.
Obviously marriage should be sacred and declared permanent. Obviously divorce should not be an easy option. But in order to be a proper believer and Disciple of the living God, the option should remain open in extenuating circumstances.
The only way I know to drive out evil from the country is by the constructive method of filling it with good.lvin Coolidge
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
As the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, so the denial of God is the height of foolishness.-RC Sproul, Essential Truths of the Christian Faith
- You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do. Anne Lamott