A Thorny Question
Divorce—with or without the complication of subsequent remarriage—
is a controversial subject indeed. I didn't realize just how controversial, until
I devoted several days to teaching on this subject on the CAMPMEETING
HOUR some time ago. My, how the letters rolled in. And while many of
them were approving, endorsing my views, others accused me of just about
everything from heresy to blasphemy.

There is not a great deal written on the question of divorce from the
Christian viewpoint. Most preachers and teachers prefer to avoid the subject
because they know, no matter what their views might be, that they are going
to antagonize a considerable segment of their supporters when they expose
those views.

Divorce is an emotional issue because each person's individual
circumstances tend to color his feelings about divorce. The person fortunate
enough to be a partner in a good marriage, coming from a loving home,
often finds it hard to be sympathetic to those who become embroiled in the
heartache of divorce.

On the other hand, those who have been personally involved in divorce
(or who have close family or personal ties with someone who has), find the
theoretical and theological questions far from clear-cut.
I know my personal life would be far more serene if I were to just avoid
this subject altogether. But personal serenity and God's wishes are not
always compatible. I do not feel the Lord wants his chosen vessels to insure
their personal tranquility by ignoring subjects which can be sources of real
agony to those beset by them. I will, therefore, give my opinions on this
subject, and let the chips fall where they may.