SHOULD CHURCH BE BLAMED

InSpired

A provocative question but pertinent for a time like this in the light of the death of my beautiful sister Osinachi.  I should never speak evil of the dead and l intend not to do so, but also we should critically examine all perspectives to this issue. If not we may be doing an injustice to all the parties involved in the matter.

The Social media is full of thoughts of many who like me are very sad and angry at the death of Osinachi allegedly caused by her husband. Some facts emerged online that the couple met in the Church and the husband is an ordained Minister in DUNAMIS Ministry and the Church should be accountable  for her untimely death.

 Some are of the opinion that the Church's  teaching/ stand on divource prevented Osinachi from leaving the abusive relationship that resulted in her death. A video clip  of the Senior Pastor preaching " God hates divorce' is rapidly going viral"  And these people advocate that this teaching was responsible for her death 

Some others said that the Church should have advised a separation when they knew about the abusive relationship instead of advising the late singer to continue to pray for God to change her partner.

It's not within my power to know what part the Church played in the singer's life but knowing so well that l first listened to the singer on the platform of DUNAMIS Church, that is enough to show that the Church helped the singer's ministry.

But Wwatever the argument for and against the causes of the late great singer's death, these are my humble submission on the issue of DIVOURCE.

Please kindly go through my previous Social media submission on issues that concerns the Church of Jesus Christ,  (my LORD,) anytime it's been attacked on Social media for instances of imperfection as the one been discussed. I ensure that l speak on such issues from the perspective of the Bible and not my personal preference on such issue.

CASE (1)

DUNAMIS PREACHED AGAINST DIVOURCE 

Cameron and Nigeria are neighbouring Nations but the Laws and By-laws that governs these two nations are different just as the cultures and languages of it people differs 

The Kingdom of Christ is a distinct Kingdom that is governed by principles constituted in a Book called the Bible. A Social Media personality showcased a videos of Leaders of some denominations who are presently divourced.  The person  stated if some Church leaders marriage can end in divource, then it is wrong for any  particular denomination to say  DIVOURCE is wrong 

I believe strongly by the grace of God that my marriage will never experience either  separation or divource: But l beg to submit to you that the TRUTH that God hates DIVOURCE is not the personal submission of Pastor Dr. Paul Enenche (which Church l attend. )

Just as Corporations, other religion has the right to formulate laws and by laws from the Nigeria constitution; so every Christian Denomination have the right to build up doctrines from the Bible  You must understand that Church leaders are not God that knows all things. But the joy we have in trusting their judgement and interpretation of Scriptures  Is that the Almighty lives in them ( just as every believer has God within us), they are specially anointed, equipped by God to help mankind.and every believer has access to the same Biblical truths they teach 

What Dr. Paul Enenche stated and  believes about DIVOURCE  is not contrary to the teachings of the Bible. The Bible rightly says God hates divorce'.

One major principle needed in the interpretation of Bible truth is the testimonies of three witnesses from the Bible on the same topic. We either use the principle of "First mention' which means check carefully the statement made when that particular issue was first mentioned in the Scriptures. 

Then we also also the principle of three witnesses on that particular issue in the Bible .

In the case of DIVOURCE, the principle of first mention' and the principle of the three witnesses agree on the issue of DIVOURCE. The Holy Spirit will always gives witness that agrees with the Word of God 

Your question is " what about the cases of the seven popular leaders of the denominations who are presently divourced?. 

My answer is firstly, Apostle Paul said " Be careful, lest you fall". 

Meaning no church leader is The Almighty who can never fail or fall. It also means that we are all product of grace and has the capacity to make  make mistakes but for the grace and mercy of God who prevents such.. Prophet Samuel whose words God did not allow to fall to the ground almost make a mistake in annointing  the wrong man as King over Israel 

Christianity is The Faith of mercy and grace, we live by the strength and grace of Christ.

GOD IS AGAINST DIVOURCE

"For the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I hate divorce and marital separation and him who covers his garment [his wife] with violence. Therefore keep a watch upon your spirit [that it may be controlled by My Spirit], that you deal not treacherously and faithlessly [with your marriage mate].

Malachi 2:16 AMPC

 The Statement  " I hate DIVOURCE" was spoken by The Almighty Himself, the God that Christians worship and obey His Word. The same statement was reinforced by Jesus Christ, the Son of God  when He boldly and fearlessly  declared to the Pharisees that Moses only allowed a letter of DIVOURCE to be issued from the man to the woman because of the hardness of their hearts. 

JESUS CHRIST EMPHASIZE DIVOURCE IS NOT GOD'S PLAN

“Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’”

And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’

Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

“Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?” they asked.

Jesus replied, “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended.

And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery—unless his wife has been unfaithful.”

Matthew 19:4-9 NLT

APOSTLE PAUL SPOKE AGAINST DIVOURCE

"But for those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord. A wife must not leave her husband.

But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to him. And the husband must not leave his wife.

1 Corinthians 7:11 NLT

I am 'really really' sad about the demise of one of the best worshippers l had listened to in recent times. But l try to do critical thinking when it comes to sensitive issues as this and l humbly submit that the Church should not be blamed for the untimely death of one of their members.

The Church has its part to play but the marraige relationship is mostly the responsibilities of both the family and the couple. The Church is a witness to the relationship and not the direct party involved in the marriage 

" Simple. Because God was there as a witness when you spoke your marriage vows to your young bride, and now you’ve broken those vows, broken the faith-bond with your vowed companion, your covenant wife. God, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that’s what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don’t cheat on your spouse."

Malachi 2:13‭-‬15 MSG

A L. Hephzibah.