Remarriage and Divorce

[EJO]

I have been thinking about this issue for some time now, I have asked some of the guys in my accountability group. So I am going to present it to you to debate or throw your two cents worth in.
Here we go:
In 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 Paul writes:
But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband
(but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.
Why, then do Christian churches allow people to get 2nd, 3rd or even 4th marriages. Churches, that have pre-marriage classes, do there not allow remarriage?

I understand there is a certain grace pertained to the church today, at least in the Non-Denominational Protestant churches. But there is another passage that is pretty straight forward: Malachi 2:16 “ I hate Divorce” says the Lord God.
So, if you are a pastor of a Protestant church in the United States today, what would you tell a couple who comes to you, and one or both of them have been married before. Both are proclaiming to love and follow Jesus. They want you to marry them. How would you answer them?

[Pray4Isrel]

This is another issue I had recently with a church that stated in it's "Social Issues" brochure. They said they recognize divorce for ALL reasons...
Hmmmmmmm...
Last I checked, the only reason for divorce would be for adultry.

[layne]

I don't really understand this about some churches either! They allow divorce for whatever reason, and they still say that they teach the word of God, when they are doing the exact opposite. Same thing with churches that allow gay couples or marriages. I really do wonder about some churches!

[seebs]

It's a fairly complicated issue, especially when you compare OT and NT writings on it. I'm in a bit of a difficult position on this one, as a second husband... I guess all I can do is be glad that sins are forgiven, but I'm pretty sure that, from where I am today, the right thing to do would not be to walk out on my wife after seven years.

[fragmentsofdreams]

No one likes divorce. Theologically, it is a really bad thing.

However, from a pastoral sense, sometimes it is the best possible option left open to a person. Sometimes, one must learn from one's mistakes and move on. However, people should do their best to save their marriage.