Occasionally something is said to me that shocks me.

Immediately following is the most dangerous
church family "positional statement"
that I have ever read in my entire life!!
I've heard it said but I had never actually seen it in writing. 

Recently (added 6-25-2010) the "Executive" Pastor of a North Carolina church emailed their church family position statement concerning  marriage, divorce and  divorce & remarriage.  The following is a direct cut and paste from their doctrinal statement and is by far the most dangerous statement that I have ever read in my life:

Their Pastors teach:
     (church family statement)  
    "Christians that have remarried after a non-biblical divorce need to repent of
      their past sin, but are not obligated or free to correct their past error by
      divorcing their current spouse"
      (the red and underline highlight is my addition)
         
       FYI: You need to know that this church ministry doesn't provide a single verse
                 of Scripture for their new doctrine. I have asked their Executive
                 Pastor for their Scriptural foundation for this heresy and he hasn't
                 provided those Scriptures. 

God's command as written to the Church, to you and me is: 
     Romans 6:1-2, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that
     grace may abound? [2] Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live
     any longer in it?"

That statement is the most dangerous statement that I have ever read in my life because:

1) the authors of their church family doctrine are knowingly and willfully changing
    the very command of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

2)  The logical progression of sinful mankind (the sin nature) is that  if the sin of
      remarriage doesn't have to be stopped, then my sin doesn't have to be stopped
      either.

It can be rightly said that if adulterers are allowed membership and leadership status, how can you exclude the homosexuals and any other "alternate lifestyle living arrangement" individual from membership and leadership?!  (See the congressional movement concerning this issue and what it is going to mean to the 501c3 church (church ministry and property tax status) and membership tax exemptions  -- Link>>> immediate  action.

     
     The Scriptural proof for point #2 is found in
           A) Ecclesiastes 8:11, "Because the sentence against an evil work is not
                 executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set 
                 in them to do evil."
                 Note the progression:
                a) an evil work, singular progresses to
                b) the sons of men, plural!
      
       This is a parallel truth to:
           B) 1 Corinthians 5:6, "Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that 
                a little leaven leavens the whole lump?"
                 Note the progression:
                a) a little leaven, a small amount progresses to
                b) leavens the whole, all becomes leavened! 

Readers, the words "Repent" and "Repentance" are found in the Word of God a minimum 110 times.  The combination of the terms repent, repentance and turn from are found in the Scriptures a minimum of 181 times.  Each and every time these words are found they mean that what ever is in reference is to "cease / stop" immediately.  When our Lord says to you and me to repent, He means stop, stop and don't ask questions,  just stop it.  To teach that someone "needs to repent of their past sin, but are not obligated or free to correct " is a very dangerous heresy!!  

The following three statements shocked me:

Shocking Statement #1:
Concerning Church membership, one Church leader said "we don't care if you've been married and divorced ten times."

Shocking Statement #2:
"Our Assistant Pastor is divorced and he isn't remarried, yet."

Shocking Statement #3: (What this Brother said to me totally shocked me because he has been the Pastor of a fundamental Baptist Church family for almost 30 years.)

My wife and I were invited to visit his local Church fellowship after being told by a member that they had recently had a major membership war over the issue of divorce and remarriage; his Pastor had taken the hard (unpopular) stand against divorce and remarriage and many of the members left the Church family.   One morning, after the worship service, my wife and I were discussing divorce and remarriage with his Pastor and he said to me, with my wife at my side, "Brother, I have thoroughly studied the Bible from cover to cover and I  have never found a single verse of Scripture that allows for remarriage following a divorce."  The Lord led me to press this issue just one step further with the question, "do you have the divorced and remarried in the membership," he replied, "we do not have the divorced and remarried in positions of leadership."  My spirit witnessed to me that he was hedging the truth, why didn't he answer my question?  As we were leaving, this Brother promised to call me so we could discuss fellowship.  We attended several more worship services and our phone never rang.  Out of disappointment and frustration I asked the same question in a letter and he responded with, "we have some divorced and remarried in our membership just as we have other members who are disobedient to the Word of God in their lives."  This Pastor has been the Pastor of that Church family for almost thirty years and yet, in violation of his own knowledge of the Word of God, he has allowed the divorced and remarried to be members of the Church family of which God has made him an Overseer and Protector.

Of the three shocking statements, Statement #3 is more disturbing, disappointing, discouraging and shocking because I simply do not understand what this Pastor is thinking.  We're fairly close in age and I'm sure that he remembers, just as I do, when our Christian families and Church family memberships were strong, vibrant and growing.

All three answers indicate that God's doctrine concerning the sanctity and permanence of marriage isn't highly esteemed by the Pastor or Church leaders, and, even more attention getting is that they are indicating that willful disobedience to God's known will isn't to be feared.  Personally, I confess to you that there are times when I frankly do not know if I obey the Word of God by faith or -- am I simply afraid of the Lord's anger?  The Apostle Paul said:   

"Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. [10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat [Bema Seat] of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. [11] Knowing therefore the terror [Greek word Phobos means exceeding fear] of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences, 2 Corinthians 5:9-11."

The writer of the letter to the dispersed Hebrews wrote:

 "How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? [30] For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge His people." [31] It is a terrifying {*Greek phoberos) thing to fall into the hands of the living God, Hebrews 10:29-31.

The letter to the Hebrews is written to the saved and unsaved Hebrews.  The context of these three verses is in conversation with the saved / Christian Hebrews and the writer, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is warning them to not turn away from their obedient faith that they had previously demonstrated.  To do that would bring about the angry discipline of God in their lives.  *The Greek word, phoberos, means frightful, i.e. (object) formidable :- fearful, terrible

This next section contains
reasons Pastors have given me
for disobeying their convictions.

Before reading their reasons, the following are three very important verses for you to consider
as you read them.
I'm not being mean spirited. I'm attempting to warn
and
encourage you in the truth!

Revelation 21:8 
"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." 
Remember, these men will assure you that they
are saved individuals, after all,
they are....Pastors!!

Revelation 21:27 
"But there shall by no means enter it (Heaven) anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life."
Remember, these men will assure you that they
are saved individuals, after all,
they are....Pastors!!

Revelation 22:15 
"But outside (Heaven) are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie." 
Remember, these men will assure you that they
are saved individuals, after all,
they are....Pastors!!

The following are actual quotes and not hearsay or gossip:

As you read the following, ask yourself, is this my Pastor or the Minister who officiated my wedding?

**A number of years ago a Pastor in a neighboring city thought it would be very helpful if my wife and I became members of his ministry and gave him a helping hand.  Before joining his ministry I gave him my "Philosophy of Ministry" manuscript that gives great detail about our convictions concerning divorce and divorce / remarriage.  After several months of helping the ministry by teaching a singles and married couples class, one of the deacons called and asked to meet with me.  He started the conversation by telling me that he was divorced and remarried and "he was very sure that my wife and I were not aware of his situation."  He also wanted me to know that at the next annual business meeting, of the five men to be considered for the "Office of Deacon," three were divorced men whose divorced wives were still living and that two of those men would certainly be elected.  The majority of the Deacon's Board would be divorced and remarried men whose divorced wives were still living.

When I confronted the Pastor, this is what I was told:
"Brother.  When I graduated from Seminary I didn't believe in divorce and remarriage while a divorced spouse was still alive.  In my very first ministry I was confronted with the issue and I had to make a decision.   Because I believed that the Lord had called me to preach and ... because I had a family to feed, I made the decision to preach and feed my family".

You've read the above "actual" Pastoral statements.
Question:
What happens to disingenuous and lying Pastors? 

Revelation 21:8 
"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." 

Revelation 21:27 
"But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life."

Revelation 22:15 
"But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie."

What did Jesus teach concerning remarriage?

Matthew 5:32
"but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the cause of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."

Mark 10:11-12
And He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; [12] and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery."

Luke 16:18
"Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and he who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery."

And His Disciples said,
"If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry." (Matthew 19:10 )

FOUR QUESTIONS THAT REQUIRE ANSWERS:

QUESTION #1-
Is there a single verse of Scripture in the entire word of God that adultery means something other than adultery? 

QUESTION #2-
Is there a single verse of Scripture in the entire word of God that adultery is not sinful?

QUESTION #3-
Is there a single verse of Scripture in the word of God that adultery must not be discontinued to receive God's forgiveness? 

QUESTION #4-
Did Jesus Christ lie when he said through the Apostle Paul, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? [2] Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" [Romans 6:1-2]

in a nutshell, Why Church membership or leadership isn't an option for the divorced and remarried:

1- God hates divorce [Malachi 2:16a].

Two questions:
(A) Why would our Righteous God reward someone with Church family
       membership and leadership for living something He hates?
(B) Would your earthly Dad reward you for doing something he warned
       you in writing, "I hate that"?

2- God calls divorce a violent and treacherous act, creating a violent
     and treacherous individual who lives a life of deception [Malachi 2:16b].

Question: Why would our Righteous God reward anyone with Church family membership and leadership for living a violent, treacherous and deceitful lifestyle? 
[1 Corinthians 5:8]

3- Jesus Christ said that divorce comes from hardheartedness, i.e. (special)
    destitution of (spiritual) perception [Matthew 19:8; Mark 10:5].

Question:   Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, says to each one of us that divorce comes from a hard heart!  Why would our Righteous God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, reward someone with Church family membership and leadership for living life with a hardened heart?

4- God warns Church members that divorce and remarriage is a living 
    lifestyle, 24-7-52, adultery [Romans 7:2-3, 1 Corinthians 7:39] and no 
    adulterer, Church  members included, will ever enter into the Kingdom of
    God / God's Heaven.  The following are links to explain why remarriage when
    a divorced spouse is yet living is adultery:
                  The irrevocable one flesh relationship;
                  What is the seriousness of the "one Flesh Relationship";
                  The irrevocable wedding vows;
                  God will not honor our 21^st. Century Church "Absolution" of sin.

Question: If folks guilty of living in adultery cannot enter into the Kingdom of God, God's Heaven, how can they be Church family members and leaders here on earth? [1 Corinthians 6:10]

5- God hasn't changed His mind about divorce and remarriage today.
    [Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8]

6- FACT: 
    Adulterers, and all other lifestyle sexual sinners, are specifically
    excluded in writing from attendance, membership and the Communion
    table.  [1 Corinthians 5:11-13].

Question: If folks living in adultery are excluded in writing from membership and the Communion Table of the local Church family, how can they possibly be Pastors or leaders?

7- Christ warned the Church concerning sexual sins in the Apostle Paul's
     first letter to the Churches at Corinth [1 Corinthians 5:1 - 7:39].

8- Christ warns the Corinthian church family again via the Apostle Paul's
     second letter to the Churches at Corinth that many had not repented of
     those sexual sins [2 Corinthians 13:21].

9- Christ's warning is, though they are Church members, they probably
     are not even Born Again. [2 Corinthians 13:1-6]

FYI:
It makes no difference who you have been listening to, i.e. Dr. John McArthur, Dr. Charles Swindoll or Dr. James Dobson (as well as scores of others).  By the way, all three of these men, Dr. John McArthur, Dr. Charles Swindoll and Dr. James Dobson call remarriage, sin.  Where the problem is, this is the only sin (that I personally know of in their ministries) that they do not teach, preach or live in shoe leather that it must be stopped.  Why is this sin of adultery an exception?  Repentance means to stop the sin (2 Corinthians 12:21; Ephesians 5:1-6; Colossians 3:1-6; Romans 6:12-16; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10) and not just admit that it is a sin.  To only admit that a sin  is a sin and not stop the sin results in unheard prayers.   Question, are these three men and other Pastors, Church Family leaders and members guilty of the sin of granting an "Absolution" for a "particular" sin?  Follow this link -- ABSOLUTION FOR SIN -- and decide for yourself.  

John 9:31 
"Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him." 

Job 27:8-9 
"For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he may gain much, if God takes away his life? [9] Will God hear his cry when trouble comes upon him?"

Proverbs 1:28 
"Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me."

Proverbs 28:9 
"One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination."

Isaiah 1:15 
"When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood."

Question: Our Lord has warned us in writing, over and over again.  Why should Pastors, leaders and members be questioning why their families and ministries are self-destructing and dying?  

If you are a member of a Church and you are divorced and remarried, and, your divorced spouse is yet living, you have disqualified yourself from Church membership.  If you were a Pastor of a Church and you divorced, remarried and your divorced spouse is yet living, you are disqualified as a Pastor!  You did it to yourself.

The divorced and remarried in Church membership
in greater detail

Link to  the divorced and remarried in membership  (in greater detail)