THEO202_B06_201120

Short Essay # 2
Anthropology: Marriage and Divorce
There are many definitions on what marriage is- Marriage is the union between a man
and a woman, it is a commitment, it involves intimacy, it is a journey, love. However a Christian
marriage is a commitment involving three individuals- husband, wife and Jesus Christ for a life
time. Marriage is an opportunity for each one to grow and develop our individual giftedness.
Marriage is a life time commitment in the presence of God and should not be broken. Marriage
gives us the right to experience the bond of physical union.
In a marriage we have to daily recommit ourselves and allow God to help us sustain our
commitment, we should never neglect our marriage. Marriage is a life time commitment in the
presence of God and should not be broken. Marriage gives us the right to experience the bond of
physical union. According to the covenantal requirement in marriage, marriages like, trial
marriages or contract marriages, which has time limitations and limited responsibilities, violates
the teaching of Bible. The union between man and woman is most intimately realized in
marriage. So in this way the mystery of marriage reflects God. (Elwell, 740).
Malachi 2:16 I hate divorce. Says the Lord God of IsraelSo guard yourself in your
spirit, and do not break faith. In the Bible in Matthew 19 1-12 we can see what Jesus says about
divorce 4 Havent you read, he replied, that at the beginning the Creator made them male
and female, 5 and said, For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to
his wife, and the two will become one flesh? 6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore
what God has joined together, let man not separate. In verse 9 Jesus says I tell you that anyone
who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits
adultery.
As a couple we will face many adversities in life. Trials that will attempt to split us
apart. We are disoriented and just want off, its got to stop someday, so we figure it might as well
be today, everythings a mess, and God keeps saying, Not yet, not yet. ( Bar nes 29). I do not
think God allows divorce, except of there is marital unfaithful to each other. I would talk to my
friends about what the Bible says and tell them how we must follow Jesus instruction about
settling disputes. If we are unable to work through our differences we should bring someone wise
to help us in the problem, like a pastor, mentor or a counselor.
I personally come from a divorce family and I hated the fact how my life and my familys
life was miserable. At the same time I felt like it was better for my parents to go their own way
so that they would end their endless arguments. I thought they both would do better without
having the other person. I used to think that there are so many things we can do and need to do in
life which would be so much easier without having the other person around. Not until I became a
believer until few years ago, I believed that marriage is for a lifetime, Do nothing out of selfish
ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than you. Each of you should
look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others.- Philippians 2:3-4
Divorce is painful; it not only affects the husband and wife but the life of children as well but if
both partners build on the foundation of hope and live biblically, and even the worst marriage
can be turned around in Gods presence, there is never cause for despair.
When a man and woman get married, they promise to spend life together in joy and grief.
Marriage is a union of two people for a lifelong relationship. So, this way the mystery of
marriage reflects God. (Elwell, 740) Marriage is a life time commitment in the presence of God
which should not be broken. According to Bible, any relationship which assumes rights of
marriage before the wedding is adultery, sin, it is not consider marriage.
God loves us so much that he does not desire divorce in our lives because it breaks heart.
However, sometimes it is unavoidable; sin traps us in such a way that only divorce can be seen
as lesser evil choice. (Elwell, 347). If the divorce is under biblical ground or has been widowed
then the divorced person can re-marry but only to a Christian, the Bible says that it is better to
remarry than to be lustful. (1 Cor 7:8-9). However, divorce should not be the first choice. The
husband and wife must give some time to talk to each other and figure out the cause for the
problem. Divorce is not obligatory; even the sexual unfaithfulness can be forgiven. (Elwell, 347)
In this generation many people have forgotten the real value of marriage. God brings two
people together in his will. Therefore, we should not go against the will of God. People are more
concerned about their convenience and their own pleasure that they forget what Gods plan is.
Divorce brings a negative impact in a couples life, their childrens, family, friends, church and
the society. I have heard of someone who was a Christian and got married to another Christian
woman but when the wife cheated on the husband, they got divorced and the husband turned
away from God and became a Hindu. Another circumstance where the Christian parents got
divorced and their church treated them bad which resulted in the children not attending church.
Divorce affects everyone, the wife or the husband or both may loses faith in God. It affects their
children life. The children get divided between the two parents and they go to different churches.
During thanksgiving and Christmas children have to go to both side of the parents and
grandparents in one night.
Word Count: 10008
Work Cite
Elwell, Walter A. (2001). Evangelical Dictionary of theology. Grand Rapids: Baker
Academic.
Bar nes , B, & Bar nes , E. ( 1995) . 15 mi nut e devot i ons f or coupl es .
Or egon: Har ves t Hous e Publ i s her s .
Coupl es ' devot i onal bi bl e, NI V. ( 2009) . Mi chi gan: Zonder van.