A Review of the Osborne – Sheridan Debate

By Dave Lytle (1/15/02)


Below is a recent exchange between Dave Lytle and myself which took place just after Stan Cox’s posting of “Honor in Controversy: Revisited” to www.Watchmanmag.com It explains why I have removed the debate portion (from the left-hand column) of brother Lytle’s review. The following are links to the debate in it entirety as original listed on www.Watchmanmag.com. The reader is encouraged to read this debate before reading the review.

Sheridan's First Affirmative   Osborne's First Negative
Sheridan's Second Affirmative  

Osborne's Second Negative

Immediately following these letters, Dave Lytle's review remains, beginning with his introductory comments.

For the review, in its original entirety, please contact Dave Lytle at dllmll@msn.com (jhb)


----- Original Message -----

From: Michelle Lytle
To:
JeffBelknap@charter.net
Sent:
Friday, February 01, 2002 10:23 PM
Subject:
Just Read Stan's Article

Hi Jeff,

I hope all is well with you and your family, and that you are getting plenty of rest.

I just finished reading Stan Cox's "Honor in Controversy: Revisited." 

Concerning his take on my review, I take full responsibility for any "violations of copyright law."  (If he hassles you on this, please have him contact me).  I don’t want you to get in trouble for anything that I wrote.  I do want you to know my intent was not to break any laws, but rather to allow the full text to be read next to my comments to show that I was not misrepresenting either disputant.

Frankly, putting the full text of the debate also allowed the reader to expediently know where I was focusing, and thus saved the reader a lot of time going back and forth between documents.  To me, this format best served the study of the topic.  I suppose I could have done it another way that would have been less offensive to brother Cox.  I do welcome sincere rebuke from brother Cox or brother Osborne if they find that my conclusions are contrary to God’s word.  This is what thoughtful Bible study is all about.

I hope he also knows that you did not ask me to write the review, but that I asked you if it would be worthy of posting on your site.  I wrote the review on my own accord without any prompting or coercion.  I say this just in case you are accused of some kind of conspiracy or evil collusion….

Your friend and brother,
Dave

----- Original Message -----

From: J Belknap
To:
Michelle Lytle
Sent:
Saturday, February 02, 2002 12:24 AM
Subject:
Re: Just Read Stan's Article

Dear brother Dave,

Thanks for sending me the information about the Watchman article and for your good attitude.

I never even thought about your article violating the conditions for printing of the debate.  I, like you, looked at your article as a review of the debate, pure and simple.  But I can see where they have a beef here, since the inclusion of the entire debate was part of your article.  I am going to apologize to Stan.  To make things right, I will need to take off the debate portion of the review.

I have tried to be above board with all of this and hate to have something like this potentially interfere with a study of truth. 

I'd like to call and talk to you about this - please send me your phone number and a convenient time for me to call.

In addition, I was wondering if I could post your letter to the web site, so that others can see your excellent attitude and lack of defensiveness under fire. 

I now plan to post my private exchange with Stan so that the readers can get the whole picture of what went on in the process of setting up that debate.  I wasn't planning to do it, but now that Stan has published his version of the events behind the debate and its review, I think it's necessary for others to get a picture of the missing pieces that show the reasons behind what I wrote to Stan.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Brotherly,
Jeff


The purpose of this review is to mainly examine the arguments of brother Harry Osborne.  I primarily agree with brother Sheridan’s conclusions, but like brother Jeff Belknap, I believe that the proposition does not really get to the heart of the disagreements over this issue.

I would also like to state that I have no personal issue with brother Osborne.  Up until his “Applications” argumentation, everything that I had read from his pen was wonderful.  I defended his role in the “FC Creation Controversy” to those who had sympathies with brother Jenkins and brother Scott.  I still believe his efforts to deal with the Romans 14 fellowship controversy (Hailey/Harrell issue) are to be applauded and promoted as truth.  His writings show him to be very intelligent and articulate.  My disagreement is with some of his ideas and possible practices, not with him as a person.  However, I still anxiously await his forthcoming commentary on Matthew!

Some of my comments concerning brother Osborne’s arguments may seem like a broken record.  This is because I perceive that he has exposed himself with the same arguments over and over again.  This does not mean that I do not respect brother Osborne as an overall superior debater and thinker to myself (I am quite sure that he is).

I would like this review to be considered as a continuation of the on-going Bible study concerning this issue.  Again, this is not a personal attack on Brother Osborne or any other individual that holds his views on this topic.

And now, let’s begin the review of the Osborne Sheridan debate.  I have included all of the text of both disputants so that their words may be understood in their context.  My comments are listed to the right.  In some cases I have underlined the text of the disputants in order that the reader may know the specific portion of the text that is being specifically addressed.

First Affirmative
Terence Sheridan

Sheridan's First Affirmative as published on www.Watchmanmag.com

 

 

My Comments

 

I appreciate the fact that both brother Sheridan and brother Osborne were able to deal with this topic without attacking each other personally.  I also appreciate Stan Cox’s allowance to have this issue discussed in Watchman.  Truth has nothing to fear.

 

My Comments

 

I have learned much from reading this debate and am pleased that this proposition was discussed, but I don’t think it cuts to the heart of the disagreement associated with this issue.  I believe the following propositions would better root out the problems associated with this issue: 

“The Scriptures teach that the innocent party must put away (regardless of the procedure) the guilty fornicator in order to have the right to remarry.” 

“The Scriptures teach that all put away people who remarry commit adultery while their ex-spouse lives.”

 

My Comments

 

In my mind, the “Putting Away” would be the sundering of the marriage.  God, who controls the status of the marriage bond, may or may not free one party from the bond.  God does free the innocent party from the marriage bond (but not the guilty) when the innocent puts away the guilty for the cause of fornication.

 

My Comments

 

None

 

My Comments

 

I couldn’t agree more.  Luke 16:18 reads: 18"Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and he who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery. (NAS).  Notice, the divorced woman commits adultery when she remarries, regardless of the circumstances. 

 

My Comments

 

Mental Divorce is practiced when the put away party later puts away their spouse for fornication, regardless of whether the fornication occurred before or after the divorce.  Brother Osborne should realize that those who oppose the mental divorce position as espoused by brothers Halbrook, Warnock, Patton, Reeves, etc. do so because they sincerely believe that those who follow the teaching will commit adultery and those who teach the doctrine are false teachers who need to repent.  It’s not personal, but a matter of deep conviction. 

 

My Comments

 

None

 

My Comments

 

Does brother Osborne ever address this question?  If the customary divorce procedure is not necessary, and a verbal (and presumably mental) repudiation is sufficient to put away, I presume that brother Osborne would have to admit that the man in brother Sheridan’s example really did put her away at the point he said, “I’m divorcing you!”  If not, why not?

 

My Comments

 

I can’t find anywhere in this debate where brother Osborne addresses this very important question.  This scenario will ultimately arise if people listen to what he is teaching (even if bro. Osborne doesn’t accept the consequences).  Now, in the scenario posed by bro. Sheridan, can you imagine what little Britney’s parents might say?  They would say, “No Britney, you are not married to Jason, you only think you are.”  But Britney would cleverly reply, “No Mama, Preacher Osborne told us in church that since God did not specify the procedure for how to get married or how to divorce, I concluded that we can make up our own procedure just so long as I don’t bind it on others.”  At this point, Britney’s parents are going to have a heated discussion with brother Osborne. 

 

My Comments

 

If one does not go by the societal rules associated with marriage and divorce, a major consequence will be that people will not be able to determine who has the RIGHT to marry.  If everyone has a different marriage procedure, who is really married and who is pretending?  If everyone has a different divorce procedure, no one really knows the marital status of others without asking them about the “procedures” that they followed.  THE CONSEQUENCE OF SUCH AN ARGUMENT: Let God sort it out at the judgment.  This is exactly what brother Foy E. Wallace advocated: “There are some things that are not subject to the law of restitution, things done in certain circumstances which cannot in later circumstances be undone, which remain as matters between God and the individual, and therefore reserved for the judgment.“  Does brother Osborne agree with brother Wallace?  I believe that he doesn’t.  But the next generation that applies his current “applications” doctrine will.

First Negative
Harry Osborne

Osborne's First Negative as published on www.Watchmanmag.com

 

 

My Comments

 

The real issue is this: Regardless of HOW one defines the “putting away” procedure, can one who is put away later “put-away?”  If the civil divorce ruling is the putting-away procedure, then can the divorced spouse later put away her former mate (even if the circumstances for such are very narrowly defined)?  If throwing-out-of-the-house is the putting-away procedure, can the one who is put-away later put-away herself by throwing her spouse out of the house that she has already been evicted from?   

Brother Harry’s argument here is flawed.  He tries to use the despised “race to the court-house” argument to show his perceived fallacy in Brother Sheridan’s thinking.  Brother Sheridan argues that the customary divorce procedure must be followed in order to put-away or divorce.  Let brother Osborne tell us his recommended divorce procedure (I’m not sure he ever overtly does in this discussion).  After he does, he knows that the one to put-away the other will be the FIRST to execute his recommended divorce procedure.  “Simply put,” even Harry’s position ends with a “race” to execute the divorce procedure, whether such a procedure involves the civil government or not. 

 

My Comments

 

The issue of fellowship revolves around the issue of put-away people being taught that under certain conditions, they can put-away their former mate and remarry.  This results in adultery if we believe Matt 5:32, 19:9, Mark 10:11-12, and Luke 16:18.  Brother Harry himself strongly believes that unrepentant adulterers and those who promote adulterous practices should not be fellowshipped.  Therefore, though he may not agree with his opponents on this issue (mental divorce and all of its peripheral arguments), he should understand why they believe it is a fellowship issue.

 

My Comments

 

Does this mean that Harry believes those that teach these doctrines are false teachers?  I would assume that Harry will be just as zealous to debate brothers Warnock, Halbrook, and Holmes as he is brother Sheridan.  Maybe all of this rebuking is going on behind the scenes…I don’t know.  I do know that Harry seems to have issues with those that would dare rebuke these brethren.  If he believes these brethren are falsely teaching, his opposition to the rebuke of Halbrook et al. seems inconsistent with what he says he believes. 

 

My Comments

 

If putting-away is defined as following the accepted societal customs for divorce, then Harry admits that Terence’s proposition is correct.  So, the real issue is:  How will brother Osborne define putting-away?

 

My Comments

 

Brother Harry is saying that following through with the current societal divorce custom is necessary AFTER the divorce has occurred, assuming that Harry defines the putting-away procedure as repudiation.  Of course, the marriage scenario could work the same way.  Billy and Sarah could define their own marriage procedure in a fit of passion (e.g., verbally committing to each other as husband and wife), enjoy the pleasures of the marriage bed, and decide when they get a chance they will go to the court-house and “formalize” the marriage.  Here’s what can happen: Billy decides the next day after they “verbally marry” that he was mistaken and really just wanted to fornicate.  Sarah is crushed, and truly believes they are married.  Billy believes in his mind that they are not married, but merely fornicators.  Brother Osborne, are they married?  If Sarah later falls in love with another and marries him according to civil law, is she an adulteress?  These are the consequences associated with everyone doing that which is right in their own eyes.

 

My Comments

 

This statement will turn out to be rather ironic as the reader continues to read the debate.  Harry will advocate THAT THERE IS NO PATTERN when it comes to the divorce procedure (and consequently, the marriage procedure).  He will have to argue with the parents of the kids that take him at his word! 

 

My Comments

 

Brother Sheridan did argue that Romans 13 would incorporate such things as marriage and divorce procedures.  Harry may not agree with his conclusions, but he did produce the passage.

 

My Comments

 

Most societal customs and civil laws would include the these actions.  In fact, the same actions would be similar in order to marry. (1) One must declare intent (at least to the prospective spouse), (2) one must initiate the civil action to marry (apply for a marriage license, etc.) and (3) one must be judged by the state to be married.  If one believes that we should follow Romans 13:1-7 for accepted procedures of marriage AND divorce, then brother Sheridan’s argumentation is just good common sense. 

 

My Comments

 

Perhaps brother Osborne can enlighten us as to the PRACTICAL execution of “putting-away” since he disagrees with Terence’s thinking.  If “putting-away” is not executed by the prevailing civil procedures for divorce, then how is it executed?  If Harry refuses to commit to a procedure, then he must admit that we really cannot objectively know who is really married and who is really divorced in a society!  He may not accept these consequences, but his rejection of the consequences doesn’t make them go away.

 

My Comments

 

Brother Osborne brings up an interesting point here.  He is correct that the focus is not on the procedure.  I believe the reason is that the PROCEDURE was not an issue of contention (as it is in this debate).  Whatever the procedure would be, the listeners most likely understood it alike.  The procedure was not the problem – the reasons WHY people were carrying out the divorce procedure WAS the problem.  However, if brethren subscribe to Harry’s no pattern theology regarding marriage and divorce proceedings, the PROCEDURE WILL BECOME A MAJOR PROBLEM in the 21st century church (and in all societies – since aliens are under the law of Christ). 

 

My Comments

 

Again, we have no contextual reason to believe that there was any misunderstanding about the procedure.  We also know that in the book of Matthew, Jesus was addressing all men in every culture, not just the Jews.  The procedure was not an issue with his listeners.  Terence has attempted to show from Romans 13 how there can be no confusion over the procedure both in the first century and today.  If Harry will tell us his recommended divorce procedure today, perhaps we can judge its merits or faults by inserting it into 1st century thinking. 

 

My Comments

 

I emphatically agree with brother Osborne’s underlined text.  I hope that brothers Halbrook, Warnock, Holmes, Reeves, and others are reading and heeding brother Harry’s words.

 

My Comments

 

Is Jesus speaking ONLY to the Jews here?  Have we not told those that hold to the Hailey view that Jesus words in Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 19:3-9 and Mark 10:2-12 were spoken for ALL men to heed, not just Christians?  Now, how are all men going to uniformly obey the teaching of Jesus?  Following the societal procedures is a way.  Yes, the Old Law as doctrine was nailed to the cross (Col 2:14).  But the Jews were still amenable to Romans 13:1-7 (as are all men).  Let brother Osborne tell us how all men can understand the words of Christ alike, and maybe I’ll subscribe to his view.  As it is, just denying that there is no specified procedure (which we all agree about) results in chaos and confusion.  Until I hear Harry’s affirmed solution, I agree with brother Terence that the marriage and divorce procedures would be included in Romans 13. 

 

My Comments

 

The argument being made here is: If you follow the divorce (and presumably marriage) procedures of society, what happens when those procedures are unfair to one of the genders?  It is a good question and one that is difficult to answer.  If a woman knowingly married in a society that prohibited her from the right to divorce, I suppose she would accept this fact at the time of marriage.  I’m not saying it is fair, but many have to suffer injustices because of evil men in all phases of life.  The liberty to divorce may be denied, but the loss of this liberty will not cause the faithful one to lose their soul (1 Cor 10:13).

 

My Comments

 

Again, Jesus was speaking to all men in his discourse on marriage and divorce, not only the Jews (Jesus said, “Whoever”). 

For argument’s sake, let’s assume Harry is right and that the societal laws governing divorce were not under consideration by Jesus.  If Harry’s woman could put her husband away even though civil government would not allow it, how would she do so?  By what procedure?  Could her husband put her away by the same method?  If so, Harry still has his problem that the guilty fornicator can still put away his innocent spouse, and by being the “put away” of Luke 16:18, the innocent would not have the right to put away her former spouse.  Brother Harry still has the same dilemma. 

 

My Comments

 

Again, HOW would she put him away if civil law did not allow her the liberty of divorcing her husband?  However this question is answered, could the fornicating husband use the same procedure (repudiation, releasing, whatever) to put away his innocent spouse?  If so, then the dilemma for brother Osborne remains.  If not, then we are saying that the innocent party CANNOT be put-away if she doesn’t want to be put-away.  That would clearly contradict Luke 16:18, which says that ANYONE who marries the put-away woman (regardless of her innocence of guilt), commits adultery. 

Also, it IS important to note that the gospel of Mark WAS WRITTEN TO GENTILES.  They would be applying the teaching of this gospel to themselves, not looking at how it impacted the Jews. 

 

My Comments

 

Is brother Osborne suggesting a divorce procedure here?  The innocent must demonstrate to someone (who?) that the reason the marriage failed was because of the guilty party’s fornication.  Is he (the guilty party) put away after this action is accomplished?  What type of action must she take?  Tell someone?  Tell the church?  File legal papers?  Mentally think it (remember, mental thought can be an ACTION – consider repentance)?  If so, whatever the action is that she must take, can the guilty exercise the same action to sunder the marriage?  Can he do so prior to her doing so?  If so, we are again talking about a RACE.

 

My Comments

 

Using the definition of apolou in conjunction with (not in opposition to) Romans 13:1-7, let’s ask the following questions:

In our society, when is one RELEASED from the legal obligations of marriage?

In our society, when is one legally able to permanently SEND THEIR SPOUSE AWAY?

Answer – when they get the civil divorce, and not before. 

 

My Comments

 

OK.  If we ignore Romans 13 in this argument, and assume that the putting-away procedure is defined by the root definition of the Greek word apoluo, a true PUTTING AWAY is fully executed when one party RELEASES or SENDS AWAY the other party.  Could the guilty fornicator RELEASE the innocent spouse prior to her RELEASING him?  If so, then we have the “race to the RELEASING” scenario.  Could the guilty fornicator SEND AWAY the innocent spouse prior to her SENDING HIM AWAY?  If so, then we have the “race to SEND AWAY” scenario.  All of the injustices associated with a small number of civil laws will not help brother Osborne get around the fact that the one who is put-away cannot later put-away (Luke 16:18).  Define the procedure however you will, the guilty fornicator can still do it FIRST, rendering the innocent party “put-away.”  This is the real issue!

 

My Comments

 

Depending on how one defines the “putting-away” procedure, the words of Jesus may imply and require that divorces should be according to established societal laws and custom.  The fact that Jesus did not have to explain the procedure might imply that the procedure would be understood by every people of every nation (and I think it was until all this mental divorce stuff came up).

 

My Comments

 

Brother Osborne is explicitly saying that no man can define the meaning of the divorce procedure for another.  Everyone can define it just so long as one repudiates, releases, or sends away.  Consequence – even husband and wife could believe different things about putting away, with neither having to adhere to each other’s definition!  Example: Mary catches Randy cheating on her and desires to put him away by divorcing him.  Some time after the fornication, she retains a lawyer and files the divorce papers (believing herself that a civil divorce for the cause of fornication is the true way to put-away Randy).  Randy calls her and tells her not to waste her time.  You see, he read in Watchman Magazine where Harry Osborne taught that Biblical putting-away does not have to be according to societal customs, and therefore he was hereby sending Mary from the house, releasing her from the physical marriage.  He was putting her away according to his own definition that he learned from brother Osborne.  Can Mary still put him away for fornication?  Even if the court grants her the divorce FOR FORNICATION, can she re-marry since according to Harry’s definition, she has already been put-away?  If everyone can define divorce in any fashion that they fancy, this will be the result.  I’m thankful that most worldly societies have enough common sense to define the divorce procedure according to established civil customs (Romans 13:1-7).  Man does not have to define it because God already did! 

 

My Comments

 

Question – using the definition of “choridzo”, could the guilty fornicator put asunder, disunite, separate, or divide from the marriage, leaving the innocent party put away?  If so, then this is the “race to choridzo” argument.  If not, then brother Osborne must admit that the innocent party cannot be put-away if she does not want to be put-away.  Jesus says ALL put away people who re-marry commit adultery (Luke 16:18) while their ex-spouse lives (Rom 7:2-3).

 

My Comments

 

Question – using the definition of “aphiemi”, could the guilty fornicator LEAVE his innocent spouse and then she is considered party put away?  If so, then this is the “race to aphiemi” argument.  If not, then brother Osborne must admit that the innocent party cannot be put away if she does not want to be put away.  Jesus says ALL put away people who re-marry commit adultery (Luke 16:18) while their ex-spouse lives (Rom 7:2-3). 

 

My Comments

 

Based on this statement, it seems like Harry would want to let us know what he considers to be an acceptable procedure.  If he responds that he cannot say, then truly he must concede that everyone can do what seems right in their own eyes. 

To the reader: If you’re waiting in line at the Post Office and overhear two ladies in front of you chatting about their recently divorced friend, what would you think they meant by “divorced?”  Almost all (with the possible exception of brother Osborne) would presume that she was divorced according to the societal procedure (a civil divorce in this country).  Why?  Because there has never been any confusion about the divorce procedure until the mental divorce position was challenged.

 

My Comments

 

Brother Osborne, regardless of how putting away is defined, MUST the innocent party put-away the guilty party FIRST?  Can the put-away later put-away their former mate under any divorce procedure?  A “no” answer to the first question and a “yes” answer to the second question opposes the text of God’s word (Matt 5:32; 19:9; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18).  A “yes” answer to the first question and a “no” answer to the second question admits some agreement with brother Sheridan.  This is the real issue that needs to be addressed.

 

My Comments

 

Let brother Harry suggest some putting-away procedures for us (since he does not like Terence’s), and then let him judge if everything hangs on which spouse executes his procedure FIRST.  If he says “no,” then he admits that a put-away person CAN put away their spouse at a later date.  This is the classic mental divorce position. 

 

My Comments

 

Brother Harry, please tell us how Betty SHOULD have put-away Bob in this scenario.  Then ask yourself if Bob could have put away Betty by the same procedure.  If not, then you seem to be advocating the position that the guilty fornicator CANNOT (has no ability to) divorce without God’s approval - a blatant contradiction of Luke 16:18, Matt 5:32; 1 Cor 7:10-11, etc. 

 

My Comments

 

Alright.  Under ANY OTHER DIVORCE PROCEDURE (Harry’s choice), would Betty have the option to counter-file at all?  If so, how?  If Bob, the guilty fornicator, RELEASES (apoluo) Betty from the marriage, how does she counter-file or contest at all?  If Bob, the guilty fornicator, SEPARATES (choridzo) from Betty, thereby sundering the marriage, how does she counter-file or contest at all?  If Bob, the guilty fornicator, LEAVES (aphiemi) Betty, thereby sundering the marriage, how does she counter-file or contest at all?  If Terence’s position is absurd because it does not allow a person to counter-file (after the divorce has been granted), what about Harry’s? 

 

My Comments

 

Here’s a scenario:  Betty knows that Bob is going to put her away in civil court even though he cheated on her, so she is ready to publicly renounce Bob before the elders and the church at the conclusion of Sunday morning services (her decided upon divorce procedure).  However, right before she speaks, Bob stands up from the pew and publicly renounces Betty as a terrible spouse and bad mother.  Did Bob just “put-away” Betty?  Careful how you answer.  If you say “no,” the church rejected Bob’s divorce (his verbal repudiation), but accepted Betty’s, this puts the church in the business of accepting and rejecting divorces (i.e., the Catholic church!)!!  Yes, the church at times must determine if there are members that merit discipline (Matt 18:15-17), but granting and/or rejecting divorces is NOT a work of the church (any more than marrying two individuals is a work of the church)! 

Also, if repudiating the guilty fornicator before the elders and the church is Harry’s preferred divorce procedure, what will he tell a pagan to do?  Where should they go?  To the local “church of Christ?” 

One more thing.  We must remember that God recognizes unscriptural divorces (even though He does not approve of them).  Now, consider this scenario:  Judy after Sunday evening services notifies the elders that she is divorcing Kobe, her husband, after 5 years of marriage.  She had decided the right divorce procedure for her is to repudiate him in front of the elders and the church.  The congregation is shocked and asks Judy why she had to put him away.  She said he plays way too much basketball and isn’t paying enough attention to her.  QUESTION: Did Judy just divorce Kobe?  Would the congregation tell her to take her unscriptural divorce elsewhere (like, to a civil court?)?  If the innocent spouse of a guilty fornicator can divorce using this procedure, why not allow unscriptural divorces to be executed this way as well?  Remember God recognizes both scriptural and unscriptural divorces. 

 

My Comments

 

Could one define the specific action needed to divorce as a MENTAL putting-away (since Jesus left us without a specific procedure)?  If you say “no,” then you bind where the Lord did not (according to Harry’s definition).  If you say, “I suppose I could so long as I did not bind it on others,” then you believe in the classic mental divorce position.  I am willing to leave the divorce procedure under the necessary inference of Romans 13:1-7, lest chaos and disorder abound.  I’m glad that the world does not PRACTICE what Harry is preaching (ignore the societal divorce procedure and make up your own). 

 

My Comments

 

If Betty caught Bob cheating and decided to put him away, Betty could obtain a divorce according to the prevailing societal customs for the CAUSE of Bob’s fornication.  It’s really not that hard to understand.   

 

My Comments

 

Earlier in brother Osborne’s affirmative, he claims to oppose the classic “mental divorce” position that is currently being taught by certain brethren.  So why does he ridicule others who oppose the same error?  I would expect this type of language from a mental divorce advocate. 

WHY would Betty get the divorce?  For the cause of Bob’s fornication.  HOW should she put him away?  According to the prevailing civil government that governs marriages and divorces (Romans 13:1-7).  I don’t see WHY the cause MUST be listed on the official divorce papers, if she put him away for the correct CAUSE.  She has the right CAUSE, and the right PROCEDURE. 

 

My Comments

 

I agree with brother Osborne’s invitation to unite solely on the teaching of the Scriptures.  However, various MDR “applications” that contradict Scripture must be opposed.  Examples: 

FALSE APPLICATION #1: A man who is unlawfully married to another may keep his current spouse (with God’s blessing) after he is baptized, because the sin of the unlawful marriage was washed away (position of Hailey).  Will Harry unite with me and others to oppose this “application” that will lead to the loss of souls?

FALSE APPLICATION #2: The spouse that has been put away for a cause other than fornication may herself “put-away” (and remarry) at the time her ex-spouse commits fornication (position of Warnock, Halbrook, and others).  Will Harry unite with me and others to oppose this “application” that will lead to the loss of souls?

FALSE APPLICATION #3: One may lawfully divorce their spouse for fornication, but also if their spouse does not pay his debts, for the sake of physical and emotional heath, and in order to better serve God (position of Mike Willis and Maurice Barnett).  Will Harry unite with me and others to oppose these “applications” that will lead to the loss of souls? 

Can we pick and choose which false MDR doctrines we will oppose?  NOT if we’re “united on principles plainly affirmed by Scripture.”

 

 

My Comments

 

We all agree that those demonstrating the divisive and sinful attributes of Gal 5:20 are not pleasing to God.  However, just because others sincerely challenge our thinking does not mean that they are causing needless fractures in the body of Christ.  This is just crying wolf.  Case in point: 

When Mike Willis tried to justify fellowship in the local body with one who held to the teachings of the AD 70 doctrine, he made the following word-for-word argument: 

Even the most fundamental wrong belief that one can hold, that Jesus is not the Son of God, is not sin.  Rather, that fundamentally wrong belief keeps one from receiving the forgiveness of God, the medicine that will cure sin, but it is not itself designated as a sin. 

According to Mike’s position, wrong belief in the Deity of Christ is not sin.  The consequences of such a position: A Christian could suddenly lose his faith in Christ (thereby opposing the plain teaching of Scripture, resulting in calling God a “liar”), become agnostic, but STILL go to heaven if he did not “sin” prior to dying!  Atheists in heaven!  Who can believe it!?!  The church at Danville where Mike worked didn’t.  How did Mike respond to those that opposed him?  He claimed they were being FACTIOUS.  Opposing error is NOT being factious (Matt 10:34; Luke 12:51). 

Second Affirmative
Terence Sheridan

Sheridan's Second Affirmative as published on www.Watchmanmag.com

 

 

My Comments

 

None

 

My Comments

 

I agree if brother Terence means that one must renounce the physical marriage.  Only God can separate the marriage bond (Matt 5:32; 19:9; Rom 7:2-3; 1 Cor 7:39). 

Please note: According to brother Osborne’s position, Terence’s step 1 is ALL that would we needed to sunder the marriage.  Steps 2 and 3 would be legal formalities performed after the putting-away had already occurred.

 

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Brother Sheridan has put his finger on the REAL issue behind this debate.  As has been asked time and time again, can a guilty fornicator put-away his innocent spouse?  Is this possible?  The Scriptures don’t specify the sins associated with the one who unlawfully puts-away (Luke 16:18).  They do teach that one CAN unlawfully put-away  and that God will recognize that the divorce has occurred. 

 

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Again, I believe that the underlined text shows where brother Sheridan has touched the real issue in this discussion (and the whole “mental divorce” controversy as a whole).

 

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Great question!  I can’t find where brother Osborne ever addressed this query in the text of his second negative.

 

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I agree with Terence here.  How do infidels define BOTH marriage AND divorce?  They recognize the prevailing customs of society.  All (both aliens and Christians) can clearly understand this.  When one marries, he does so according to the Government that God Himself ordained.  When one puts-away (apoluo), he does so according to the Government that God Himself ordained (Rom 13:1-7). 

 

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Sometimes Christians must live under certain conditions that are unjust.  If we have an unreasonable employer, submit to him anyway, suffering the wrong for God (1 Peter 2:18).  We may lose the liberty of working in a wonderful environment, but suffering for the Lord’s sake is good, and by doing so we may win some to the Lord.  Wives were to be submissive to their disobedient (to God) husbands, that they might win them to the Lord (1 Peter 3:1-2).  So too, we should be submissive to civil government so long as we are not commanded to sin (Romans 13:1-7; Acts 5:29).  Giving up some of our liberties (e.g., marriage, property ownership, etc.) will not cause us to sin.  We KNOW this because God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to endure (1 Cor 10:13).  God allowed some to suffer death for the cause, but remaining faithful during the brief time of injustice and suffering was worth an eternity of heaven (Rev 2:10). 

 

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