A.J.
Puritan Board Junior
Hello:
I am aware that the position of Herman Hoeksema’s denomination on divorce and remarriage is a minority among Reformed churches in North America and probably the entire world. But I feel the need to clarify some related issues.
Notice that the questions are closely related. An answer to the first question may also provide the answer to the following questions.
Thank you.
Blessings!
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P.S. The PRCA denomination by the way has several churches in Singapore and the Philippines.
The Westminster Confession states,
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Also, I am inclined to believe that the Westminster Confession's position on divorce and remarriage is the Biblical position.
-----Added 8/5/2009 at 12:32:36 EST-----
Though there is no divorce in my country (it's illegal), my denomination follows Westminster's position on the subject.
I am aware that the position of Herman Hoeksema’s denomination on divorce and remarriage is a minority among Reformed churches in North America and probably the entire world. But I feel the need to clarify some related issues.
Would it be historically accurate to say the position on divorce and remarriage stated and explained in Chapter 24 of the Westminster Confession of Faith is the Reformed consensus (i.e., embracing Reformed churches which hold to the Westminster Standards, and Reformed churches which hold to the Three Forms of Unity) on the subject?
Was this position universally accepted by Reformed churches which hold to the Three Forms of Unity in the past and the present with the exception of the PRCA?
What precedent then did the PRCA have for opposing the Westminster Standards’ position on divorce and remarriage?
Was this position universally accepted by Reformed churches which hold to the Three Forms of Unity in the past and the present with the exception of the PRCA?
What precedent then did the PRCA have for opposing the Westminster Standards’ position on divorce and remarriage?
Notice that the questions are closely related. An answer to the first question may also provide the answer to the following questions.
Thank you.
Blessings!
-----Added 8/5/2009 at 12:28:06 EST-----
P.S. The PRCA denomination by the way has several churches in Singapore and the Philippines.
The Westminster Confession states,
5. Adultery or fornication, committed after a contract, being detected before marriage, giveth just occasion to the innocent party to dissolve that contract.a In the case of adultery after marriage, it is lawful for the innocent party to sue out a divorce,b and after the divorce to marry another, as if the offending party were dead.c
a. Mat 1:18-20. • b. Mat 5:31-32. • c. Mat 19:9; Rom 7:2-3.
6. Although the corruption of man be such as is apt to study arguments, unduly to put asunder those whom God hath joined together in marriage; yet nothing but adultery, or such wilful desertion as can no way be remedied by the Church or civil magistrate, is cause sufficient of dissolving the bond of marriage;a wherein a public and orderly course of proceeding is to be observed; and the persons concerned in it, not left to their own wills and discretion in their own case.b
a. Mat 19:6, 8-9; 1 Cor 7:15. • b. Deut 24:1-
-----Added 8/5/2009 at 12:30:09 EST-----
Also, I am inclined to believe that the Westminster Confession's position on divorce and remarriage is the Biblical position.
-----Added 8/5/2009 at 12:32:36 EST-----
Though there is no divorce in my country (it's illegal), my denomination follows Westminster's position on the subject.