In every Baptist church I've been to since I can remember I was taught that if you were ever divorced that you would be bound to the pew. You couldn't be a deacon, missionary, preacher or many times even a sunday school teacher. But they sure would take your presence in the pew and your tithe in the offering plate each week. May I just say that this whole manner is utterly ridiculous and totally against God's Holy and Infalible Word? You can be a murderer, a gay gone straight, a thief, an athiest turned christian and that's fine, if you've turned from your ways go ahead and pastor and preach till your heart's content. But divorce? Sorry but that's the one thing that God's grace can't wash away (major sarcasm) and you'll be stuck with that black spot for the rest of your life. Tell me, if you can, just when did divorce become the unpardonable sin?
'If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince gainsayers.' Titus 1:6-9
This is the scripture that I was always taken to to be shown and taught why divorced men could never hold any position in the church.
"It says right there, the husband of one wife. So you see children/young adults why a divorced man could never be used of God."
Hold it, right there! I want to point out two things to ya'll. 1.) If a man is divorced then that woman is no longer his wife. Therefore if he marries again he is still the husband of one wife. Only in foreign countries is the practice of multiple wives still in practice. 2.) In the days in which this scripture was written it was very common for even 'christian' men to have two or three wives, was it not? Therefore can you not see how this scripture is being used out of context and not for the furtherence of the Gospel but rather the hindrance of it?
I would also like to point out that there are several other qualifications that todays spiritual leaders are quick to overlook as they point out the husband of one wife. It also says that a man must not be quick to anger. Ever seen a pastor reach a breaking point and yell? Are they not then disqualified from the pulpit?
"But God forgave them! It is no longer held to their account."
Ah! I see. God can forgive anger but not divorce. (once again sarcarsm) So then what about children not accused of riot or unruly? Come now, friends, everyone will tell that todays pk's are most often the most disruptive in the church.
Can you not see the truth, dear sisters and brothers in Christ? Divorce is Not the unpardonable sin. Men who are divorced can still pastor and be used mightily of God if not for the pious people of the church.
God help our country and the churches in it before it is too late.
Okay, POIC; looks like we posted at the same time, however I still fail to get your point. I think you read more into the verse than what is there. I think if the divorced were to be excluded from leadership the verse would plainly say so. It is like saying the verse says "husband of one wife" means a single man is excluded from leadership....opps, Paul just excluded himself!...lol
The reason God hates divorce is because it is against His nature. God is faithful through any situation, is not distracted by greener grass and cannot and will not walk away from His bride for any reason. Therefore He wants the same level of commitment for us. He is merciful though and realizes it is impossible for us so He allows it under the condition of adultery. This, unfortunately opens a whole other can of worms regarding the definition of adultery which I have talked about in this forum before and believe it is any kind of unfaithfulness and not just a se-x-ual affair.
The Baptist church as a whole tends to be very legalistic and extremely judgmental. I no longer darken the doors of any Baptist church. My hair is too long, my attitude is too loose and my beliefs are too liberating. Four of the seven churches I have been asked to stop attending are Baptist churches.
Also, when it comes to the NT writings I think it is important to consider the source when trying to interpret it. Paul was so obviously hung up on being single and he didn't like the idea of someone that was married serving in the church at all but he made concessions like the example you have shared. It seems that he came up with a lot of rules and regulations that cannot be substantiated by the practices God allowed in the OT. Regardless of his salvation he still had some strong religious tendencies and must have thought rules and regulations were the way to control the people in his new found religion.
Whenever anyone can use scripture or verses from the NT against you in a manner that allows them to keep score they are being legalistic. Whenever the idea they have is that "I'm better than you because I am more obedient to the rules of the Church" they are legalistic. Whenever you are put to shame because of someone's arrogant and errant interpretation of any part of the Bible they are legalistic.
Therefore, my recommendation is to always obey God and not the Church.
Women can't be pastors. I get upset over this subject yes, because the Baptist churches have accepted a beleif that is not founded on the Bible. I've seen too many good divorced men be turned away from the ministry while prideful and arrogant men ruin the pulpit.
@KJVBaptist you said "Women can't be pastors. I get upset over this subject yes, because the Baptist churches have accepted a beleif that is not founded on the Bible. I've seen too many good divorced men be turned away from the ministry while prideful and arrogant men ruin the pulpit."
I don't want to get in on this discussion of divorce but I do want to say that even though a person is excluded from being an elder, deacon or pastor there are so very many other things to do, over seas missions, prison ministry, media, medical, education, writing......
Yes, when God closes a door he opens another...but the point is that GOD should be the one to close the door, not men who think they understand God's word more than God himself.
I agree wholemeal with you two, for what Mr meanie does not understand about that verse and the time period, and reason that it was written for, nor the people and customs of that time makes his statement as has been stated before ludicrous! what did Jesus say about the matter? Did he tell the women at the well, what Mr meanie stated? I believe it was he who shed Blood for our salvation, not Paul, or whoever wrote that, for scholars are not sure if Paul wrote that book. Shake it off!
