#74 What Jesus’ Radical Marriage Teaching Reveals About the Church - Joe Heschmeyer
Apr 25, 2024
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Joe Heschmeyer discusses Jesus' strict teachings on marriage, equating it to the union between Christ and the Church. The conversation delves into historical perspectives on the Church, Calvin's redefinition of the church, views on divorce and remarriage in Christianity, biblical teachings on marriage and polygamy, and Henry VIII's interaction with Martin Luther.
Jesus' strict prohibition against divorce and remarriage stems from his belief that remarriage is tantamount to committing adultery against one's spouse, highlighting the sanctity of marriage.
The reformers' redefined interpretations of biblical texts on divorce led to a departure from historical Christian views and inadvertently opened the door to distorted practices like polygamy.
Deep dives
Jesus' Radical Teaching on Marriage and the Church
Jesus' teachings on marriage and the church are intricately linked, with his radical views on marriage explaining his teachings about the church and vice versa. He emphasizes the sanctity of marriage by referring back to the Genesis concept of two becoming one. Jesus presents a strict prohibition against divorce and remarriage, viewing such acts as adultery against the spouse. The early Christians also held a no-exception view on remarriage after divorce in line with Jesus' teachings, marking him as a revolutionary in the context of his time.
Reinterpretation of Scripture by Reformers
Reformers like Erasmus, Luther, and Calvin reinterpreted biblical texts on divorce and remarriage, introducing exception clauses that weren't originally present. This shift from the historical Christian view led to a distorted understanding of marriage teachings. The redefined interpretations diverged from the early church fathers' stance, making Jesus appear as a mere disciple of previous Jewish teachings on divorce rather than a radical voice challenging societal norms.
Connection Between Marriage, Church, and Polygamy
Rejecting the radical teachings of Jesus on marriage and the church also opens the door to distorted views on polygamy. By muddling these fundamental concepts, reformers inadvertently paved the way for questionable practices like polygamy. Luther's own lenient stance on polygamy reflects the interconnectedness of understanding the unity of Christ and the church, leading to a rejection of polygamous relationships.
Final Thoughts on Reformers' Impact
The reformers' departure from traditional Christian views on marriage and the church had broader implications, including the potential acceptance of polygamy. Their reinterpretations of biblical texts introduced exception clauses that deviated from historical Christian doctrines, leading to a fragmentation of understanding on key theological concepts. This departure from orthodox teachings underscores the importance of a holistic interpretation that upholds the unity of Christ, the church, and the sanctity of marriage.
Modern Christians tend to misunderstand two of Jesus’ most radical teachings: his prohibition against divorce and remarriage, and his teaching about the Church. But what if this isn’t just a coincidence? After all, the biblical texts explaining marriage tend to do so by comparing it to Christ’s relationship with the Church, and vice versa. Does this explain why the Protestant Reformers broke with the earliest Christians (and the New Testament) on both of these doctrines? And also… does getting this wrong open the door to polygamy?
Transcript:
Welcome back to Sham…
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