Divorce and Baptist Pastors

[watchinginawe]

Wouldn't the same concept also apply to the unmarried? I mean if a married person lusting after another is committing adultery, and hating your brother is same as committing murder, then wouldn't also an unmarried person lusting after another be considered sexual immorality?

Not in the context of divorce, which is the point you seem to be trying to make. We could go as far as virginity as well and applying your standard, marriages to any woman who has lusted is a marriage to someone who isn't a virgin. Also, consider this. Adultery is committed by two parties. You can look up in the old testament how both would be stoned if you like. Adultery of the heart is different in that only one party participates in this sin.

So no, adultery of the heart (a lustful gaze) is not grounds for divorce on account of adultery. We could also go further and discuss the witnesses necessary to prove an account of adultery. The idea just doesn't work VR.

[hillbilly dave]

When was Jesus a deacon in a baptist church? jk What kind of comment is that? Is this the formal view of the Baptist Church? Maybe innocent is not a perfect word here but I don't understand the sentiment behind this comment. I know of many marriages where the desire to work in a marriage, reconcile a marrieage, etc. has been present only in one party. I know of marriages where one of the parties falls into a destructive habit destroying the entire family. Also, I know of some abusive marriages where one party physically harms or mentally abuses the other. In all of these cases, are you implying (or rather, is the Baptist Church implying) that one should feel responsible for their spouse's actions?

God Bless!

The view given to divorce was based on the fornication. My own feelings donot always represent The Baptist Church. My personal view of divorce is sometimes it is necessary to keep one from killing the other party. Some people in Baptist churchs look down on divorcees as in many other congregations of other denominations. Looking down at anyone for something is wrong and sinful as judgmental which none of us have a right to do. If all Christians spent more time looking up including myself we would have little time to look down on others. My comments if hurtful were intended for the case of fornication. The way I read and study my bible I am reminded of things done and creates a stronger appreciation and thankfulness for the things I have been forgiven of. Sometimes those words are difficult to swallow so is our pride as a bible believing Christian I can see the Grace and Mercy Almighty God has shown. Divorce as it is sometimes is to easyily gained though if life is endangered so be it. Divorce has struck my family to much for various reasons yet it is still wrong just as many other things done to get to this point. The good news and it seems that Gods grace and mercy covers all sins or wrong doings of mortal men except one.

I am responsible for my spouse and her actions and my wife for me. If either one of us has a question concerning each others actions we ask. If we smell alcohol we ask. For abusive relationships the one abused should leave and take the children as well.

Watchinginawe; My remarks do not always represent The Official view of the Baptist Church. My choice of words are not always the best yet neither is my grammer. Sorry it took me so long to respond have been extremly busy. God Bless and keep.

[napsnsnacks]

Again, though, you are distinguishing between different types of adultery when Scripture does not. You're simply adding your own opinion. There aren't different types of adultery. Adultery is adultery.

Let me put it this way:

The situation is similar to adult court and juvenile court.

The same crime was committed by both parties but the address of the situation is far different in the two courts.

That is the difference between emotional adultery and physical adultery. The former you cast down in your own mind and the latter is real world trouble. Mainly stemming from the fact that the address of the former was not obeyed so the thought becomes action.