Abuse, Neglect, and Pornography as Biblical Grounds for Divorce

By Brian Sayers

Christians differ widely when abuse, neglect, and habitual pornography use are considered as potential grounds for divorce. Some confusion results from the various definitions and severity of those potential grounds—there is not always agreement about the presence, nature, extent, or severity of these sins. More confusion results from a failure to fully develop a biblical theology of divorce and remarriage that encompasses both Old and New Testament teaching on the topics of oppression, neglect, and sexual immorality as it relates to divorce. We will outline the nature of some Old Testament ordinances and their application in our modern context. We will then look at the Old and New Testament passages that speak to these matters of abuse, neglect, and sexual immorality as they relate to divorce and remarriage. We will see that cases of abuse, neglect, and habitual pornography use often, though not always, fall under the biblical provisions and protections of God and may be adequate grounds for divorce… Continue reading by downloading the document.

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This article was published in the Journal of Biblical Soul Care by The Master’s University. Below, you can download an excerpt of this volume of the Journal which includes the article