condemnation of re-marriage?
I have received response to my post "single mom done being single" in the relationships forum regarding the condemnation of re-marriage in cases of those who are widowed or divorced. I am attempting to start a new thread to address this issue as it seems to be more of a "broad" topic addressing doctrine rather than a response to specific question I had initially posted. If this is not an appropriate topic for this forum please let me know.
I had received response to my posting stating that God condemns marrying a second time and as far as I am aware this is not Biblical truth.
I have offerred the example of my dad. My mother passed away 8 years ago and he is now seeing a woman and may remarry. As his daughter I am happy for him and would support him in this decision if he chooses to remarry and have this companionship. I have received follow up that my attitude on this is not Christian and that as Christians we are to believe we only marry once and that second marriage is condemned.
I have also used the example of the numerous men, women and children who have sufferred through divorce. I am not in any way attempting to debate the validity / sanctity of marriage. The unfortunate fact is that there are many divorced families today. There are many Christians who did not desire the divorce nor did they engage in any action which would constitute the filing of divorce on biblical grounds - yet, they are divorced and reconciliation is not an option. Is it wrong for such a person to re-marry in the future if they choose to do so? Is it wrong for a Christian to have the desire to re-marry in the future after the loss of a spouse or marriage?
This is not indended to be a debate over the importance of marriage or what constitutes a divorce. This is intended to address the "after the fact" - after a spouse has passed away - or - after a family is left broken because one in the marriage left the marriage. At this point, as a Christian - is it commanded by God that these individuals are to remain single for the rest of their lives or be condemned? Is it stated that as Christians it is wrong to have the desire to re-marry or that as Christians we are not to condone nor support a widowed friends / family members decision to do so and to condemn their second marriage in such cases?
I understand there may be differring personal opinions or interpretation of scripture on this subject - this is why I am posting this as a seperate topic in the "Answers" forum. I have found much information detailing scripture which seems to indicate that re-marriage, although not "ideal" - is not condemned. I am unable to post these links at this time as I am new to the forum.
My own feelings on this: that I am leery of throwing condemnation around - it is nothing to be taken lightly. At this point in my life I feel that God has put it on my heart to encourage others around me in such circumstances who may choose to re-marry. I have not seen anything in God's word which would cause me to think it is expected of me not to do so. I have witnesses the heartache of others who desired a lifelong marriage but no longer have that marriage and cannot in my right mind tell them that they are to give up such a hope permanently for risk of condemnation or that to have such a hope is un-Christian. It seems that people have sufferred enough in losing a spouse in the first place or enduring a divorce and that heaping condemnation on top of it would only add insult to injury. I just don't feel right about this. Any input?
I have received response to my post "single mom done being single" in the relationships forum regarding the condemnation of re-marriage in cases of those who are widowed or divorced. I am attempting to start a new thread to address this issue as it seems to be more of a "broad" topic addressing doctrine rather than a response to specific question I had initially posted. If this is not an appropriate topic for this forum please let me know.
I had received response to my posting stating that God condemns marrying a second time and as far as I am aware this is not Biblical truth.
I have offerred the example of my dad. My mother passed away 8 years ago and he is now seeing a woman and may remarry. As his daughter I am happy for him and would support him in this decision if he chooses to remarry and have this companionship. I have received follow up that my attitude on this is not Christian and that as Christians we are to believe we only marry once and that second marriage is condemned.
I have also used the example of the numerous men, women and children who have sufferred through divorce. I am not in any way attempting to debate the validity / sanctity of marriage. The unfortunate fact is that there are many divorced families today. There are many Christians who did not desire the divorce nor did they engage in any action which would constitute the filing of divorce on biblical grounds - yet, they are divorced and reconciliation is not an option. Is it wrong for such a person to re-marry in the future if they choose to do so? Is it wrong for a Christian to have the desire to re-marry in the future after the loss of a spouse or marriage?
This is not indended to be a debate over the importance of marriage or what constitutes a divorce. This is intended to address the "after the fact" - after a spouse has passed away - or - after a family is left broken because one in the marriage left the marriage. At this point, as a Christian - is it commanded by God that these individuals are to remain single for the rest of their lives or be condemned? Is it stated that as Christians it is wrong to have the desire to re-marry or that as Christians we are not to condone nor support a widowed friends / family members decision to do so and to condemn their second marriage in such cases?
I understand there may be differring personal opinions or interpretation of scripture on this subject - this is why I am posting this as a seperate topic in the "Answers" forum. I have found much information detailing scripture which seems to indicate that re-marriage, although not "ideal" - is not condemned. I am unable to post these links at this time as I am new to the forum.
My own feelings on this: that I am leery of throwing condemnation around - it is nothing to be taken lightly. At this point in my life I feel that God has put it on my heart to encourage others around me in such circumstances who may choose to re-marry. I have not seen anything in God's word which would cause me to think it is expected of me not to do so. I have witnesses the heartache of others who desired a lifelong marriage but no longer have that marriage and cannot in my right mind tell them that they are to give up such a hope permanently for risk of condemnation or that to have such a hope is un-Christian. It seems that people have sufferred enough in losing a spouse in the first place or enduring a divorce and that heaping condemnation on top of it would only add insult to injury. I just don't feel right about this. Any input?