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Christianity Today, May (Web-only), 2008 |

Double Divorce

The end of a marriage may mean the end of employment at a Christian college — but not always.

Sarah Pulliam | posted 5/14/2008 10:03AM

Despite some public controversy over the resignation of a Wheaton College professor, several Christian colleges insist that divorce is relevant to employment at such institutions.

English professor Kent ...

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Art Vesterdal

Posted: May 21, 2008 1:12 PM

It is always bizarre when you mix career with religion. Whether Pastor or Professor, marital breakups are very difficult for the Christian professional. I was forced out 14 years ago when my wife left and moved in with a new fellow next door to the church. Though the word "fired" was never used, I was terminated promptly for the actions of my ex and because I had been silly enough to go to Bible College and Seminary, it took years to reinvent my career in sales. I suffered economically due to issues out of my hands. Did Gramm deserve to get fired? No other institution fires you for failing in marriage, plain and simple. And since 1 in 3 American adults will experience divorce, then it is clear that NO ONE should take a career with the church or with Christian institutions. Rather than study Gramm's morality, I think many of us could do well to read a book like Pagan Christianity. This present evangelical religious system does not work.

Johann

Posted: May 21, 2008 7:17 AM


Protestants sure are creative people, when they can somehow twist Jesus' crystal clear prohibition of divorce to mean the complete opposite. They say that Jews are the best lawyers, but I'm hiring me a Protestant lawyer if they ever find me standing over a corpse with a bloody knife in my hand. You guys sure know how to make black seem white and vice versa!

Deborah Solomon

Posted: May 16, 2008 9:40 AM

This issue is complex. I like most Christians believe that marriage is for a lifetime. There would be no stability in society if people divorced simply because they wanted a change. After 26 years of marriage, and two grown children that went away to college, I separated from my husband. After four long term marriage counselors there are still major unresolved issues. When both people are Christians and you don't want to make the other person bitter against God and you, how much do you say and not bring damage to the body of Christ? The absolute truth is there are no easy answers to every situation. I remember as a child, women in the church that they and their children endured physical abuse, threats and continuous verbal abuse. Some of their children had extreme difficulties in their adult lives. I believe it is of utmost importance that people seek to maintain homes of mutual respect and kindness, free from domestic violence and continuous verbal abuse.

Andrew D.

Posted: May 15, 2008 6:13 AM


I'm glad that Wheaton College still upholds biblical principles. Divorce except on the grounds of adultery or on the grounds of the spouse leaving the marriage indefinitely is BIBLICALLY UNACCEPTABLE and must be condemned. Andrew C. Diprose (ITALIAN EVANGELICAL BIBLE INSTITUTE, ROME, ITALY)

live_life

Posted: May 15, 2008 3:28 AM


I completely agree with Aloma! "Some community methods are questionable" and selective, I would add... http://www.thefaitdebate.com

Aloma

Posted: May 14, 2008 5:20 PM

This is another way the Christian church often heaps condemnation upon believers suffering through some other terrible trial in life. It's not hard enough to go through a painful divorce, so let's add to this person's suffering by firing him also. Jesus didn't come to make us better people. Our only righteousness is BESTOWED. We are all going to make mistakes and fall short and face situations in life that, sadly, don't work out despite our best efforts. Jesus came to offer us life, and something akin to that, this professor's livelihood, is the thing being denied him because of his divorce. Unless he is guilty of adultery or some kind of betrayal that led to his divorce, I think this policy is flawed. Clearly, I don't know everything, but I do know that Christ's love, not condemnation, compels us. It seems that there was an opportunity for grace here that has been missed. I love Jesus, believe that Christian community is important, but some communities' methods are questionable.

alison

Posted: May 14, 2008 12:07 PM


I'm pretty dismayed that only 29% of the Wheaton students agreed with the policy. It's pretty much a no-brainer. You can't break a rule in the middle of a game and then ask the other team to change the rule (which, gratefully, Gramm did not do). I see problematic lives ahead for the other 71% who don't seem to know how life works.

Don Bryant

Posted: May 14, 2008 12:01 PM


What a shame to have one's name all over the press because of a failed marriage. Whoever thought they would be signing up for this when they chose to teach at a Christian college!!!!

Peter

Posted: May 14, 2008 11:15 AM


Is this the flip side of the movie, "Expelled"? All analogies break down somewhere. Still, when I first read this story, I couldn't help but be struck by some deep irony. At the same time, it's clear that not all scientists who reference "Intelligent Design" are expelled from their institutions, so making too much of this situation may also not stand up to close scrutiny.

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