- I'm interested in Biblically (not emotionally) based opinions on the role of a Divorced / Remarried Commander.
- I'm aware of the baby steps in policy change at General Council on the subject in regards to clergy, but I'm very interested in seeing what you folks who have sound Bibilcal counsel on the subject as it relates to lay leaders such as a Ranger Commander...
Ah yes. I searched my Bible diligently for the qualifications of a Royal Ranger commander with respect to a past history of divorce and remarriage, and I can conclusively say that the words "Royal Ranger commander" don't occur in that order in the Holy Bible. Seriously, though, there are some general principles that we can observe.
* God hates divorce. (Malachi 2:16)
* Divorce is allowed in case of adultery or abandonment (and many pastors list other causes, like abuse, which is really a form of abandonment of the marriage covenant) (Matt 19:9; 1 Cor 7:15)
* To initiate (but not necessarily to suffer) a divorce not covered above is sin. I dare say that divorce is always a result of sin, although one party might not be sinning in a divorce.
* God forgives sins. (Is. 1:18; Luke 6:37)
* God's forgiveness of sins is not limited to sins committed prior to becoming a Christian. ! John was written specifically to Christians, and 1 John 1:9 clearly promises this forgiveness.
* Nothing anywhere in the Bible indicates that the sin of an improper divorce is any worse than any other sin, like gluttony, lust, stealing (including stealing time from your employer), etc. It is clear, however, that the effects that a person may reap after sowing this kind of seed tend to last a long time.
* People who do not forgive others for any sin, including divorce, had better be perfect, because they block God's forgiveness in their own lives. (Matt 18:21-35) Indeed, those who hold a grudge against a person whom God has forgiven are insulting the blood and the Name of Jesus Christ, and doubting His power to take away sin and change lives.
* The qualifications of Bishops and Deacons in 1 Tim 3:2,12 and Titus 1:6 are sometimes construed to exclude divorced and remarried men, BUT since the tense there is present only and states that the leader should be the husband of one wife NOW, it would technically be much easier to read this to allow a divorced and remarried person but not a single person to hold the office of Bishop. I believe that in a broader context, Paul must not have meant to exclude single people from ministry based on his comments in 1 Cor 7:8-9. My reading of the Greek of these passages indicates that the leader is currently faithful to his one wife, if he has one, among other things. Therefore, I believe that divorce or divorce and remarriage in a person's past is not enough to disqualify a person from service in positions of church leadership, provided that person is currently living as a Christian.
* Nothing in the Bible prohibits a person from Christian service if their spouse is not a Christian, as long as they have repented if it took a sin of rebellion to get that way. (That is not always the case. Often people get married as both nonbelievers, then one of them gets saved.)
* Many Full Gospel denominations and churches do allow the ordination of ministers that were divorced and remarried, or that have broken any of the Ten Commandments, as long as they have repented and are currently seeking righteousness.
* I have served with many Royal Ranger commanders who were divorced, divorced and remarried, or married to an unbeliever. Nobody seemed to think that was a problem, because all of any possible associated sin was in the past, covered in the blood of Jesus, and not hindering their ministry today.
Let only perfect commanders throw any stones or get into legalistic nonsense. For the rest of us, I recommend walking in love and a healthy dose of sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and His discernment of who is to be trusted with leading children, and who is not.
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Rev. Michael Paul Johnson AKA Soaring Golden Eagle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Bible translation missionary, Evangel Bible Translators http://EvangelBible.org
Temporarily outpostless in PNG
http://eBible.org/mpj/ Jesus Christ is Lord!
