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Featured Is This Biblical Grounds For Divorce? Or Not?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Scarlett O., Dec 12, 2021.

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  1. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Josh Duggar, 33, was found guilty this week of receiving and possession of images of child rape/pornography of children under the age of 12 [At least one toddler].. Around 65 images and videos. Multiple images and when this broke, a Homeland Security officer said it was in the top five of the "worst of the worst" images he'd ever seen.

    He is going to jail for a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 40. Sentencing is a later date.

    Here's my question.

    Should his wife, Anna, divorce him? Can she, with a biblical defense, divorce him? I think I read somewhere that he told her about his molesting his sisters when they were teens, but his adultery and adult porn addiction came to her knowledge after they were married and had children.

    He needs serious prayer. The children in those images and videos need serious prayer. His family needs prayer.

    I understand that she can forgive him. But SHOULD she divorce him? CAN she, biblically speaking, divorce him?
     
    #1 Scarlett O., Dec 12, 2021
  2. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Is there evidence of actual adultery?
     
    #2 Revmitchell, Dec 12, 2021
  3. 37818

    37818 Well-Known Member

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    I dare say there is no Biblical text which explicitly grants a woman to be allowed to divorce. I am not saying there are no interpertations. What the Law allowed Deuteronomy 24:1-4.
     
    #3 37818, Dec 12, 2021
  4. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    Hard to imagine a Christian, indwelt by God Holy Spirit, engaging in that kind of activity.

    He has effectively abandoned her by his actions, and subsequent prison sentence. I’d say the divorce, if she wants one, would be biblical.

    peace to you
     
    #4 canadyjd, Dec 12, 2021
    • Agree Agree x 3
  5. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    What he admitted to was the pornography and "cheating on" his wife by "signing up on the Ashley Madison website" [a site that facilitates extra-marital affairs.] Those were his words.
     
    #5 Scarlett O., Dec 12, 2021
  6. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    I would not say if she should if should not divorce him. As far as biblical grounds, this would (IMHO) meet the definition of infidelity. A case could be argued gor abandonment as well (not willfully abandonment but abandonment based on his actions).

    So....should she? That's between her and God. Can she, biblically? Yes.
     
    #6 JonC, Dec 12, 2021
    • Agree Agree x 1
  7. 37818

    37818 Well-Known Member

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    Biblical where? Please cite the text or texts.
     
    #7 37818, Dec 12, 2021
  8. 37818

    37818 Well-Known Member

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    Biblically where? Please cite the text or texts
     
    #8 37818, Dec 12, 2021
  9. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    1 Cor 7:10-11. Remarriage would be another issue.
     
    #9 JonC, Dec 12, 2021
  10. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    In 1 Corinthians 7:14-15, Paul says a spouse that is abandoned is not “bound” in such cases. This is technical language (binding and loosing) on biblical law concerning marriage.

    If the unbelieving spouse abandoned the believing spouse, they are free to re-marry. If they are both believers, they should not re-marry and reconcile if possible.

    peace to you
     
    #10 canadyjd, Dec 12, 2021
  11. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    I was referencing the part Paul said was from God (not the part where he says "I, and not the Lord").

    1 Corinthians 7:10–11 I command the married —not I, but the Lord—a wife is not to leave her husband. But if she does leave, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband—and a husband is not to leave his wife.
     
    #11 JonC, Dec 12, 2021
  12. 37818

    37818 Well-Known Member

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    ". . . And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. . . ."
     
    #12 37818, Dec 12, 2021
  13. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    The porn in and of itself would not be grounds. I realize the level at which he was at is horrific. However the fact that he is now going to jail for quite some time seems to be a type of abandonment. I would counsel her based on the whole picture not just one issue at play here that she has biblical grounds for divorce and remarriage. I would also tell her to be very careful in the future. As we should always be.
     
    #13 Revmitchell, Dec 12, 2021
  14. canadyjd

    canadyjd Well-Known Member

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    When Paul says, “I, not the Lord”, he is asserting his Apostolic authority to render such a judgment.

    Apparently Jesus had not directly addressed that particular issue.

    peace to you
     
    #14 canadyjd, Dec 12, 2021
  15. agedman

    agedman Well-Known Member
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    He has a long history of problems and this is nothing new. He does not get the rights and privileges of believer fellowship.

    As a side note: The wife should separate but not divorce him. He will die in prison for the general population despise and will dispose of him. She then will not have the expense, will have a good reputation, and will have satisfied the Scriptures concerning divorce.
     
    #15 agedman, Dec 12, 2021
  16. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Thanks for everyone's comments.

    This is just so tragic and I feel for them all. I was never a fan, but that's completely irrelevant. They need our prayers.
     
    #16 Scarlett O., Dec 12, 2021
    • Winner Winner x 1
  17. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    Divorce in this case may bring certain legal protections unavailable to her if they are still married.
     
    #17 Squire Robertsson, Dec 12, 2021
  18. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    I disagree. The reason is Paul had just stated that he (not the Lord but Paul) desired all remain single.
     
    #18 JonC, Dec 13, 2021
  19. 1689Dave

    1689Dave Well-Known Member

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    There are no biblical grounds for divorce in the New Covenant. It means you do not forgive which is a damnable sin.
     
    #19 1689Dave, Dec 13, 2021
  20. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    Yep. Lust in heart for another woman is Adultery.
     
    #20 Reynolds, Dec 13, 2021
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