Abstract
In this study the problematic aspect of divorce and remarriage in the christian church is
researched. Exceptional emphasis is laid on the policy of the Apostolic Faith Mission of
South Africa (hereafter: AFM of SA) in this regard and how it is enforced in practice.
Unfortunately we have to face the reality of divorce in the church, and the fact that not only
members, but also the pastor can get involved in divorce and remarriage. Up to now the
church has not really been able to come to a clear conclusion on the most appropriate way to
handle such a situation. The AFM of SA, as well as several other churches prefer to prevent
such situations by implementing certain precautionary measures. In this study the relevant problem of divorce and remarriage will be researched using a Biblical-ethical approach.
The Bible refrains from giving specific pastoral guidelines to be used by the church and its
members in cases of divorce and remarriage. The Pharisees incorrectly interpreted Deut.
24:1-4 that divorce and remarriage is acceptable when a man gives his wife a divorce letter.
Jesus however controverts this interpretation in Matt. 5:32 when He says that divorce and
remarriage was established due to the hardness of the human hart. The biblical message is
rather that God hates divorce (Mal. 2:16).
Some exegetes believe that there are two “grounds” on which a person is entitled to a
divorce. These “grounds” are based on Matt. 5:31 & 32 when adultery is committed, and
according to I Cor. 7:15 when the unbeliever wishes to not continue with the marriage (known
as malicious separation).
In this study we would like to stress that the Bible does not give any grounds for divorce.
One cannot argue that God hates divorce, and then give “grounds” on which divorce is
acceptable. Reference is only made to circumstances which destroys a marriage. Such
incidents also hold connections with incidents where the marriage is not in honor of God, and
leaves space for sin to ruin lives. The marriage is now an instrument in the hand of evil
which will consequently lead to more sin. In these last instances a point can be reached
where the marriage does not exist in the eyes of God any more, and can be separated
lawfully by means of divorce.
It is of opinion that divorce should remain as last resort to a broken marriage. Reconciliation
should always be the first option. When divorce has taken place, the parties involved may
choose to remarry as the previous marriage is ruined before God. If a person, however,
should get married while the marriage still exists before the Lord, adultery is being
committed. This marriage will be interpreted as a deed of adultery, but it would not be biblical
to view such a marriage as a state of adultery.
Marriage is therefore not seen as something which can’t be annulled, as opposed to the
Roman Catholic Church, who views marriage as a sacrament. Marriage is not an absolute
establishment, and can break up under certain circumstances.
In this study we found that different religions, Christian and non-christian, have diverse views
about marriage, divorce and remarriage. Most Christian religions uphold monogamous
marriages – a lifelong binding between one man and one woman. Non-christians such as the
Muslims believe in polygamous marriages where a man is allowed to marry four wifes at any
given stage. Divorce is viewed as “allowable” on certain grounds by most religions. The
Roman Catholic Church, as mentioned, differs in that the marriage is viewed as unbreakable.
Nowadays an annulment is granted easier which allows remarriage to occur more often.
In case of the AFM of SA, there are no clear guidelines on how divorce of a congregation
member or pastor should be handled. Direction in this regard is however given by
knowledgeable persons in the church.
In earlier days, strict - mostly undocumented - guidelines have been followed in handling
divorce and remarriage cases of pastors in the AFM. The person was found guilty because
of his divorce status and was asked to resign from the ministry. In later years cases were
handled on merit. Policies were enforced by means of disciplinary action following a church
court’s ruling.
Due to churches being reluctant to discipline members getting divorced and / or remarried, it
seems as if members perceived divorce not as a serious sin, and to justify their act. The
“guilty” party must be disciplined. The innocent party must be allowed to continue with
his/her service in the ministry.
The Bible teaches us that after sin was confessed to God, He unconditionally forgives and
removes our sins, and never thinks about it ever again (1 John 1:9; Psalm 103:12). Divorce
however, is perceived by the church to be a bigger sin and that divorced persons are second
hand christians. This is especially true in case of a divorced church leader.
Although the church, and specifically the AFM, strives to implement an acceptable policy
relating to divorce and remarriage, most churches have not investigated the fundamental
theory as yet. It seems as if churches are sensitive in compiling, or can not reach consensus
on the theory. The AFM has a basic course called “Ethics – Divorce & Remarriage” being
presented by Dr. F.P. Möller (jnr) in their Theological Seminary.
The researcher of this study is a pastor in the AFM of SA who has experienced divorce and
remarriage himself. The way the case was treated by the church and colleagues proved that
the church did not follow biblical guidelines in dealing with a divorced pastor. His experience
motivated him to conduct the mentioned study.
The church should pick-up, and care for divorced members (in a biblical sense) as the good
Samaritan or the shepherd leaving 99 sheep to search for 1 missing one to pick him up and
caringly bring him back to the flock.
The study is concluded with a theory that can be used by the AFM of SA.
Dr. F.P. Moller