In the Bible Mark 10 8 says 'the two will become one flesh' and divorcing then marrying another is regarded as adultery so why do Christians get divorced?

Answer 1

It's absolutely true. Marriage is a commitment and a vow before God, and he views it seriously.(Ecclesiastes 5:4-5). When God created marriage, there was no provision for divorce. It was to be forever(Genesis 2:24)(Ephesians 5:31) and he expects us to chose a mate carefully, once we are "past the bloom of youth" or physically, mentally and spiritually mature'(1 Corinthians 7:36), then stick to our vow.(Proverbs 5:15-23)

However, because of Adam's sin, and our subsequent imperfection, one exception was added to assist an innocent mate. Jesus said " I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery."(Matthew 19:9 NIV) If a person(male or female) commits 'fornication'(sex outside of marriage), this is adultery. They have, then, effectively 'joined themselves to another person' and broken the marriage bond. Therefore, many feel that the other mate, the INNOCENT one, has the scriptural option to divorce them, if they feel that this unfaithfulness has permanently destroyed their relationship. It does not HAVE to happen, however. The innocent mate can CHOOSE to forgive, and resume the marriage, but the choice belongs to the innocent mate.

In addition to the above:

The above is absolutely true, but also compassion for the innocent party (if there is one) or for both parties (more usually the case) in a marriage that has failed is a necessary action of the responsible Christian.

Christ opposed hard and fast rules written in the Law (even rules surrounding the sacred Sabbath) when keeping a Law and causing distress clearly was a worse option than not keeping it and acting in a loving and pastoral manner as a result. The same is true of divorce and the havoc that can ensue from it, and, more importantly, the pastoral care and support needed if a couple meet other partners and wish to make commitments to them.

There are only three Biblical grounds for a Christian to divorce:-

(i) Adultery

Exod 20:14 [AKJV] [Christ said] You shall not commit adultery.

Matt 5:27 [AKJV] [Christ said] You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit adultery:

(ii) Fornication

Matt 5:32 [AKJV] [Christ said] But I say to you, That whoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery: and whoever shall marry her that is divorced commits adultery.

(iii) Where a non-christian partner walks out on a christian partner.

ICor 7:10-12 But to the rest speak I [ie Paul], not the Lord: If any brother has a wife that believes not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman which has an husband that believes not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God has called us to peace. 16 For what know you, O wife, whether you shall save your husband? or how know you, O man, whether you shall save your wife?