British Trends In Divorce And Remarriage

"We believe in marriage!" This message was boldly conveyed by a sticker in the rear window of a car on an English motorway earlier this year. It may seem at first sight an odd point to make in this way. But it reflects a deep concern that the traditionally understood concept of marriage has been so seriously eroded.

It has become popular to regard divorce and remarriage as an accepted way of life in modern society, along with "trial marriages", when couples co-habit on an experimental basis without making any commitment to one another in permanent marriage. These attitudes derive largely from abandonment of the Scriptures as the authoritative Word of God. Many people who would profess to believe there is a God, and even be associated with a church group, no longer feel the force of scriptural instruction about marriage. They look on the Bible as "outdated", a religious book of general interest and some spiritual value, but with no mandatory voice from God for our generation. In this, of course, many have been influenced by the "modernistic" interpretation of Scripture so widely publicized in the media. "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" asked the Psalmist (11:3). The foundation of the truth of the Bible as God's Word was the bedrock of moral values in Britain in earlier generations. The landslide away from former marital standards followed subtle destruction of confidence in the Scriptures.

"We believe in marriage!" Thank God for every voice raised in championship of marriage as a divine institution, ordained in the highest wisdom of God, for the benefit of mankind. There remain in Britain today millions who maintain the scriptural standard by life-long commitment to one another in marriage.

Yet the attitude of the Anglican Church in Britain, so long a bastion in defence of marriage, arouses increasing concern. Discussions of the Anglican Synod reveal increasing pressure to relax former standards. Proposals have been under consideration to make possible, in certain approved cases, the remarriage of divorced people by Anglican ministers. So far the proposals have not been

approved by the Synod, but the fact that they can be seriously suggested is in itself significant.

Britain has traditionally been regarded as quite conservative in its attitudes to marriage and divorce. Today the statistics suggest that one in every three marriages is likely to end in divorce. Half those who obtain a divorce remarry within five years. In 1980 about 258,000 divorcees were remarried. The trend in Britain runs parallel with many other countries. The epidemic of divorce and remarriage in western society is a notable feature of our times. It expresses not only a social disease but a rejection of material standards divinely ordained in Scripture.

"Ye are the salt of the earth" the Lord Jesus said to His disciples (Mat. 5:13). Salt is a preservative: so Christian character and example have a healthful influence in a corrupt world. As believers in Christ we should tremble at God's Word (Is. 66:2), fully accepting that what God has joined together man should not put asunder (Mat. 19:6). Marriage relationship is an area of our Christian experience in which He can be greatly glorified by our loyalty to His standards in a world which has so largely abandoned them. Young believers planning towards marriage should prayerfully wait on God for His assurance that He is drawing them together in a life-long commitment. Married couples should keep their hearts with all diligence (Prov. 4:23) in regard to their relationship with each other, watchful to deny Satan the least advantage. Loyalty to the Lord Jesus and to one another in fulfilment of our marriage vows should be regarded as a major aspect of our Christian life and witness.

Christian attitudes to marriage are raised to a very high plane in Ephesians 5:22-23. Exhorting wives to be in subjection to their own husbands, as unto the Lord, Paul by the Holy Spirit develops a remarkable parallel with Christ and the Church. Christ is the Head and Preserver of the Church the Body, which is subject to Him; He loved the Church and gave Himself up for it. The balance of a wife's subjection and husband's devoted love will beautify the Christian's marriage relationship. The permanence of the relationship between Christ and His Church is absolute and eternal; so marriage between Christian disciples should reflect that permanence in a life-long commitment.

unknown | Sept 1984
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