Family Planning, Divorce and Remarriage

Where Christians disagree

Nearly all Christians agree that marriage and family matter. But on three sensitive questions - planning a family, ending a marriage, and marrying again - Christians disagree, sometimes sharply. This module sets out the contrasting views and, just as importantly, the reasons behind them. (Any quotation here is from the public-domain King James Version.)

Marriage and divorce words

Four terms run through the whole topic.

Match each view to who holds it

What is an annulment?

What is an annulment in the Roman Catholic Church?

• A declaration that a valid marriage never truly existed
• A quick and easy divorce granted to anyone
• A ceremony to renew marriage vows
• A permanent ban on ever marrying again

A teaching both sides use

Many Christians who oppose divorce point to Jesus' words in the King James Version: "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." (Mark 10:9) They read marriage as a lifelong bond made by God. Others stress that Jesus also taught forgiveness, and that some Gospel teaching allows an exception, so they permit divorce where a marriage has genuinely broken down. The same faith leads to different conclusions.

Reasons some Christians give

Select the TWO reasons a Christian might give for accepting divorce or remarriage.

• A marriage can irretrievably break down
• Compassion and forgiveness can allow a fresh start
• Marriage is an unbreakable sacrament
• Only God, never people, can end a marriage

Two broad Christian views

There is no single "Christian view" here. Compare a more traditional stance with a more liberal one - both held sincerely.

Divorce and annulment terms

Remarriage in church

What is the traditional Roman Catholic view on remarrying in church while a former spouse is still alive?

• It is not usually allowed, because the first marriage is still valid
• It is actively encouraged for everyone
• It is required by Church law
• It is allowed only on a Sunday

Build a balanced answer

Put the steps of a strong evaluation answer into a sensible order.

• State one view on the issue
• Give a reason or teaching that supports it
• State a contrasting Christian view
• Give a reason or teaching that supports that view
• Reach a balanced, justified judgement

The views in words

Christians disagree about family life. The traditional Catholic Church opposes artificial _____ and teaches that marriage is an indissoluble _____, so it does not accept _____ but may grant an _____. Many Protestant churches take a more flexible view and may permit _____.

Whose view is this?

Three Christians describe their beliefs. Pick the view each one most likely holds.

• A church teaches that marriage is an indissoluble sacrament that cannot be dissolved. What is its likely view on divorce?
• A minister stresses compassion and forgiveness, and that people deserve a fresh start once a marriage has truly broken down. What is their likely view on remarriage?
• A Christian couple believe sex within marriage expresses love as well as having children, and want to plan responsibly. What is their likely view on contraception?

Your turn: evaluate the claim

"Christians should never divorce." Evaluate this statement. Give arguments Christians might use to agree and to disagree, and reach a justified judgement.

• Give one view supporting the statement, with a Christian reason or teaching
• Give a contrasting view, with a Christian reason
• Refer to a relevant teaching, such as marriage as a lifelong covenant, or compassion and forgiveness
• Reach a balanced, justified conclusion of your own

There is no single Christian view

The top skill here is balance. There is no single "Christian view" on contraception, divorce or remarriage. So always give a more traditional view (often Roman Catholic, stressing marriage as a lifelong sacrament) AND a more liberal view (often Protestant or Anglican, stressing compassion, forgiveness and human fallibility), each with a reason or teaching - then reach a justified judgement of your own. Contrast, plus reasons, plus judgement, wins the marks.