Dorcas, my wife, was looking at some posts by friends on Facebook when she spied one that reported Pat Robertson stated a person could justifiably divorce their spouse that is stricken with Alzheimer’s disease. To confirm that report I checked a regional news radio station (WTOP) and found, sadly, that it was true.
It was even worse, because the report indicated Robertson said that not only could a person divorce their spouse in this case, but even remarry!
This religious broadcaster (may God spare the holy name of Christ) equated Alzheimer’s with death. 1 Corinthians 7:39 states the marriage bond exist until death, but that is clearly physical death.
Satan has been chipping away at marriage for over half a century. Some of his main sledge hammers have been from religious leaders who name the holy Name of Christ. I suspect there is something within their own sin nature that they cannot keep there pants up and their eyes on God and the spouse they have entered into union with.
Plain and simple, divorce is not permitted by God. Oh, I know some of you heard different, but please see the embedded link in the previous sentence (1). Regardless, there are some who, forgetting what God commands, want to leave their options open.
Adultery used to be, and still is, the way out for some. However, if we sincerely examine the Scriptures dealing with adultery and divorce, we will see Christ was really pointing out that remarriage while your spouse is physically living is a sin. Simply put: You divorce your spouse for anything but adultery, if they marry someone else you caused them to commit adultery.
But did He say to divorce them? No. That would be quite hypocritical of Him Who also told Peter to forgive seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22). And, He forgave Peter for vehemently denying Him three times, but He permits us to be unforgiving toward our spouse? No way!
However, the rambling Robertson addressed death. As stated, the Scriptures mean physical death, but there has been a move in past decades to include “spiritual” death. Some read that thought in the earlier portion of 1 Corinthians 7, but if you check the Greek the strongest word for divorce, apoluo, is not found there. The closest word is aphiemi in verse 11, but there the Apostle by the Spirit says do not do it.
Robertson admits divorcing a spouse afflicted with Alzheimer’s and getting remarried sounds cruel (He states one should make sure the afflicted spouse is cared for.). No Pat, it does not sound cruel: It is cruel.
It is shamefully cruel and so ungodly. Where, pray tell, is the mercy? What happened to self-control? Where is patience? Most of all, where is love? There is no love but self-love in this case.
If there is no love for one’s spouse, who is created in the image of God, then how can there be love for God. Evidently it is not there.
Robertson, like others who encourage sinful options, in stating one can remarry completely ignores Luke 16:18–”Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.”
This is the year of the false prophets(2)–first Harold Camping and now, Pat Robertson. There is a saying that things happen in threes. May God help us. I encourage you to turn a deaf ear to those like Camping and Robertson who speak contrary to the written Word of God.
I feel that Robertson has a place, along with Camping, in the Religious Hall of Infamy. Such are not the voice of true Christianity. He has joined the evil forces designed to destroy marriage.
Robertson is accountable for his erroneous teaching. Let us pray that he repents and actually follows the Word of God. The Scriptures (James 1:2-5) tell all disciples we are to embrace our trials and seek God’s grace to develop the fruits of the Holy Spirit. This definitely includes when our spouse has Alzheimer’s.
Let us also pray for those he will negatively influence. I imagine some will find no reason to turn to Christ when a so-called Christian turns their back on a spouse afflicted with Alzheimer’s, and even more so if they marry someone else.
Notes:
(1) In case that link does not work, copy and paste into your browser’s navigational input http://petemacinta.bravehost.com/ma19.html
(2) A true prophet is one who proclaims the will of God as directed by the Holy Spirit. This may, or may not, include relating facts about the future.
There exist such twisted thoughts in this day and age.
Blessed are those who thinks divorcing his wife because of some disease. Weird?
very good article. thanks for sharing.
This is a new low in reinterpreting the Bible to avoid calling sin what it is. To teach that divorce is not a sin if one’s spouse is “spiritually dead” is is a mockery of the marriage vows.
God is gracious and merciful to the sinner who repents, but He is not fooled by the mocker.
It is rather shocking. God is not allowed divorce, but sometimes people just ignore this.
God hates divorce. Marriage was approved in heaven, practiced on earth. My second visit on this page.
You are correct – Robertson is off in la la land.
Agree with Karen.
interesting
Check this out:
http://www.kendavis.com/commentary/what-would-pat-robertson-have-done-with-my-dad/
Pat Robertson needs to get back to the Bible!