"Certainly a two parent family is the biblical ideal. And when divorce happens (for whatever the reason), yes it is more difficult to raise the children, obviously. However, in an abusive marriage, the children are so adversely affected, that it is better to divorce (assuming counseling has failed)not only for the children's sake but for the sake and safety of the mother. (assuming it's the man who is abusive). God never expects people to stay in a situation where they are being abused.
My pastor teaches God hates divorce very strongly, as he should, but he also has said that if you find yourself a single parent, beacuse of an abusive marriage, etc. God will cover for you and that I believe and can testify to.
Peace."
I don't think I can disagree with anything here, except perhaps the permance of the abuse/divorce situation as you hypothecate (see the Piper article I mentioned earlier). Separation is no doubt warranted and perhaps required.
That said, my only point in all this is simply to show that megachurches are so eager to meet the needs of the people, they end up not just compromising but negating the Biblical message.
I don't know what people need subjectively...I don't know anything about their personal situations, etc. That is why I don't purport to judge. I simply think that pastors should rigorously exegete Scripture and let the chips fall where they may.
No doubt that will result in a tremendous amount of offense. No doubt that if that happened in a megachurch, it would very very rapidly become a microchurch. Which is why I have a problem with the whole megachurch phenomenon.
What did Jesus say about divorce?
You are making a lot of sense and excellent points in this thread. Keep it up!
Not necessarily. You don't know my pastor. I don't guess you've been to every large church in American either. Your statements are very generalized. In many large churches, the reason they are so large is because Christ is being preached uncompromisingly which is the case where I am. We pull no punches here and the truth is not watered down.