If 1 Tim 3:2 is the classic reference against clergy having more than one wife... It seems that the biblical reference here speaks more to one's duty to be faithful in one's obligations (i.e. a man should be faithful to his "one" wife and not engage in polygamy). Should we consider each case of a divorced clergy member individually - and consider the reason(s) for a divorce? For instance, if a marriage dissolves due to infidelity, then the couple has a biblical right to split. In that way, "duty" to a former wife is absolved and would free a prospective clergy member, would it not? Just my $.02, Steven King
There are several interpretations on the Timothy passage. Scripturally speaking I think probably I could not be a pastor, though I love to preach/teach, even though I've never divorced. I do not have a pastor's heart. I've raised two unruly sons. It seems to me adultery and an unbelieving spouse leaving are grounds for divorce, but a Western prof of mine wrote a book denying this. I'm thankful God calls and uses even us sinners.
I'm not sure what the "correct" answer is for this discussion. But this topic does remind me of the day I was approached by a Cemetery plot salesman. He handed me a couple of brochures and offered to give me a free dish washer if I purchased a plot or niche before the end of the week. I asked him if his offer was good "before" or "after" death.
Kind of a "push poll", isn't it? What about those folks that believe there is no problem with divorced pasters from a biblical standpoint? Tom Nixon
The Mighty Forum~~ I'm open to clergy having a "divorce" in the past, especially if so-and-so wasn't a believer during the time. However, 1 Tim 3 does, in principle, mean to say that an elder should be impeccable in the public sight, "above reproach." So if the pastor is going to be an elder, I would ask him to voluntarily step down from his eldership (I was going to say "her" eldership, just to make Bill angry ). Chris