Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 15
August 29, 1963
NUMBER 17, PAGE 4,11

More On "The Marriage Question"

Editorial

We publish this week the second installment of brother Lloyd Moyer's short tract on "Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage." We urge all our readers, both those who are in agreement with brother Moyer and those who are not, to give the most careful study possible to his treatise. Go through both articles and underline the statements which you believe to be in error, or about which you have questions or reservations. Then next week (and for the two succeeding weeks) give the same thoughtful, prayerful study to brother Gene Frost's review of the Moyer tract. See whether or not brother Frost helps clarify the questions that may have arisen in your mind; or, conversely, determine if the problem is still unresolved, and if you need further study and examination. Above all things, both with brother Moyer's articles and with brother Frost's, compare every statement made with the teachings of God's word. Let that (and not human judgments, opinions, and interpretations) be your final guide. For neither Frost nor Moyer nor any other can answer in that final day for you. You stand alone in God's presence for the final decision.

Spirit Of The Study

We are especially appreciative of the objective and brotherly attitude shown by both brother Moyer and brother Frost in these writings. If either or both of them should write further on the subject (which we anticipate will be the case), we can expect the same high level of courteous and friendly discussion. That is exactly what ought always to characterize Christians in any study of God's word. Nobody should presume to have ALL the answers; and nobody should be regarded as beneath courtesy or sympathetic hearing. Those who discuss this matter are brethren; they regard each other as such, and should be held in respect and esteem by all brethren — even though it may be obvious to you that one or the other is in the deepest sort of error.

Congregational Action

We stress once again a point emphasized last week — whatever one's conviction on the "marriage, divorce, and remarriage" question, and however deeply one feels about it, and however intense and passionate be the discussion (and we think it can be discussed with both intensity and passion!), this should NEVER be the occasion for congregational action — except, of course, in the rare event some couple says, "Yes, we are living in sin; we have no right to be married to each other; but we intend to live in our present relationship." We have not heard of such a case; but it might happen.

For as far back as this writer's memory can reach, the churches we have known (and there have been hundreds of them) have generally had very little difficulty or problem over handling "the marriage question." Both elders and preachers have taught their conviction as to the Bible doctrine on the subject; they have talked fully and at length with any couples in the congregation who may have been married when one or the other (or both) had been previously divorced. The elders have explained the Bible teaching, answering questions as sincerely and frankly as they possibly could as the couple studied with them. And the final decision as to whether or not any particular couple has the right to live together before God as man and wife has been left up to that couple to decide.

In some instances, known to us, the couples have been convinced after such a study that they had no right to live together as husband and wife, and have separated. They have done this for conscience' sake, and with tears and heartache, because they felt they could not go to heaven as they were. In other instances, after the same study, and with the same unquestioned desire to be right before God, we have known couples who have been convinced that they could maintain their relationship as husband and wife, and could serve God faithfully and sincerely.

Present Dangers

The present dangers which we see in current controversy are two-fold: (1) the intensity of the discussion may encourage some extreme position and we may begin to see agitation for congregations to withdraw from (or at least hold as "second class") members who have ever been divorced and re-married; and (2) some people who clearly do NOT have the right to be living together as husband and wife may be lulled into a sense of security, be led to cease all efforts toward finding God's will for themselves, and thus may go into judgment under condemnation. Both extremes must be avoided. We are certain that all brethren who have given even a cursory study to God's word will agree that some people who have been divorced may rightfully marry again — and some who have been divorced may not rightfully marry again. It is a problem to be handled by the persons involved; and the decision reached must be their own. They (not the church) are the ones to be approved or condemned in that final day.

Parent's Responsibility

Christian parents should be warned by the awful tragedy of broken homes and blighted lives, and do everything within their power to impress upon their growing children the sanctity, holiness, and indissoluble nature of the marriage bond as God intended it. Let them know that NO marriage can be broken except by death or SIN. And it is impossible for a marriage between two truly devout Christians to break up over anything short of death. Indeed, it is usually the case that if even one partner in the marriage is truly Christian, the marriage cannot be broken. If young Christians can be given the true understanding of marriage before they enter into it, the "divorce evil" can be largely eliminated from among those reared in the faith. The only problem then will be among those who have been reared in non-Christian homes, experienced divorces and new marriages, and who later obey the gospel. And each couple of that group must decide for themselves (after being carefully taught!) what God would have them do.

— F. Y. T.