Came across a very interesting PDF on the history of divorce and remarriage in the church:
http://www.danielrjennings.org/ThisH...Remarriage.pdf
Conclusion from the paper:
Quote:
A. Our journey through 2000 years of Christian teaching regarding marriage, divorce and remarriage can be summarized as follows:
1. The Christians who lived closest to the time of the New Testament understood Jesus teachings on D&R to mean that remarriage after a divorce was a sinful lifestyle.
2. When Roman emperors started going to church they passed legislation that contradicted what Jesus taught regarding D&R.
3. Those Christians/Churches in the eastern empire who were most under the sway of the emperors bowed to accept this legislation. Those Christians/Churches in the western empire and outside of the influence of the emperors, more or less, maintained the early Christian interpretation.
4. The Reformation brought with it a new reevaluation of the early Christian interpretation in this western area of nations.
5. The latter half of the 20th century in the United States brought about a renewed reevaluation that led to most churches seeking an accommodating position, rather than a Scriptural one when it came to dealing with D&R.
6. This renewed reevaluation has opened the door for churches to reevaluate same-sex marriage.
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It is an example of culture and the world changing and influencing the church. Yet God does not change and the words of Jesus will never pass away.