IntenseDebate - joepote01

10 years ago @ http://lorialexander.b... - 50 Shades of Evil · 0 replies · +1 points

Good post, Lori! True blessings don't come thru pursuing sin.

11 years ago @ http://lorialexander.b... - For Those Pondering Di... · 1 reply · +1 points

There is no principal more foundational to biblical faith than that of redemption - to justly bring about the end of a covenant of bondage by which someone or something belonging to God is being held captive. http://josephjpote.com/what-is-redemption/

God redeemed Israel from Egypt, bringing about the dissolution of their covenant of abusive bondage to Pharaoh. http://josephjpote.com/2012/04/the-great-divorce/

Christ redeemed us from the kingdom of darkness, bringing about the dissolution of Adam's covenant of bondage. http://josephjpote.com/2013/12/born-of-a-virgin-p...

I will continue to speak of God's heart of redemption for His children who are enslaved in a covenant of abusive bondage.

11 years ago @ http://lorialexander.b... - For Those Pondering Di... · 1 reply · +1 points

As for me, I will continue to speak hope, encouragement and blessing to the oppressed and marginalized ...those living in fear of injury or death at the hands of an abusive spouse who are told by their church that leaving would be a sin against God ...those living with the guilt of knowing their children are being abused and/or molested but feel helpless to intervene because their church tells them to only way to have God's blessing in their children's lives is to remain in the marriage ...those living a lonely existence apart from the body of Christ because they did what they had to do then were pushed out of their church for refusing to reconcile with their abuser.

I will continue to speak out for these.

11 years ago @ http://lorialexander.b... - For Those Pondering Di... · 0 replies · +1 points

Candi May - Apparently, my last comment came across as disrespectful. That was not my intent, and I apologize.

Yes, suffering is a part of life in this world. Believers are not exempt from suffering and should, in fact, expect more, not less.

Yes, God uses all things for the good of those who love Him! We can trust His goodness, no matter what.

Suffering, however, should not be from repeated, unrepentant intentional abuse by a covenant partner who has sworn a sacred vow to love, honor and cherish. God has some very harsh things to say to those who treacherously violate covenant vows (Psalm 55:20, Psalm 89:34, Isaiah 24:5, Malachi 2:14-15).

Blessings to you!

11 years ago @ http://lorialexander.b... - For Those Pondering Di... · 2 replies · +1 points

Candi May - If you see God as using covenant to enslave and abuse us, then your understanding of God's heart is vastly different from mine.

Yes, Jesus was severely abused. However, that abuse came, not by the hand of the Father, but by the sons of Satan (Gen 3:15 & Jn 8:34-45).

Yes, Jesus did submit to suffering and death at the Father's request. However, that suffering was not arbitrary, nor for perverse pleasure. Rather, it was for the purpose of redeeming us from Adam's covenant with the kingdom of darkness and restoring us to right relationship with the Father (Col 1:13-20).

God does not allow us to claim the protection of His covenant while unrepentantly violating the terms of the covenant (Jer 3:8 & Matt 7:21-23).

11 years ago @ http://lorialexander.b... - For Those Pondering Di... · 5 replies · +1 points

If I correctly understand your position, you agree that divorce is sometimes the best and/or only option in some cases. You also agree that a believer finding themselves in a marriage of abusive bondage may prayerfully seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit who may lead them through divorce.

Yet you believe the church should always teach that this is not the case...even though it is. That the church should, in fact, deny the truth out of fear that some may take undue license.

Wouldn't it be better for the church to always encourage believers to prayerfully seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as they relentlessly pursue righteousness in all of life's decisions?

11 years ago @ http://lorialexander.b... - For Those Pondering Di... · 7 replies · +1 points

Ken, I appreciate your taking the time to read my "Why I Speak Out" post. That post was intended to share some of my personal story and motivation for speaking out. It was not intended to fully explain my perspective on marriage and divorce, nor the biblical basis.

You can find snippets of my perspective in various posts on my blog, including http://josephjpote.com/2012/09/divorce-is-sin-say... and http://josephjpote.com/2012/01/courageous-divorce...

I provide a more in-depth explanation in my book, http://www.amazon.com/You-Believer-been-through-D...

11 years ago @ http://lorialexander.b... - For Those Pondering Di... · 4 replies · +1 points

Yes, the Bible frequently uses marriage as a metaphor for the covenant relationship between Jesus and the Church, as well as between God and the nation of Israel.

However, metaphors are intended to illustrate points of commonality, not to dictate the full heart of God for every situation.

For example, God always uses covenant to enrich and bless. He never uses covenant to enslave or abuse, as Satan does. To the extent that both marriage partners are seeking to enrich and bless each other's lives, through the marriage covenant, the metaphor holds up and is applicable. However, if one partner hardens their heart against their spouse in unrepentant abuse of the covenant, then the marriage ceases to model Christ and more closely resembles a Satanic relationship...much like the covenant with the kingdom of darkness, from which Christ has redeemed us through His shed blood.

11 years ago @ http://lorialexander.b... - For Those Pondering Di... · 9 replies · +1 points

My perspective today, on this topic is quite different from what I was taught as a child. My changes in perspective are based on serious study of biblical handling of covenant and redemption. I have no need, as you have assumed, to justify my actions in regard to marriage and divorce. If you'd like to know more about why I speak out on this topic, you can read this guest-post I did on a friend's blog: http://danerickson.net/joseph-pote-on-divorce-why...

11 years ago @ http://lorialexander.b... - For Those Pondering Di... · 0 replies · +1 points

Ken, since my comments have been selectively deleted, it is impossible to have a meaningful discussion in this venue. Since you can only read about half of what I have already stated in this comment series, there's no point in my presenting further details.

I will, however, point out that your stated position of divorce being permitted only for adultery differs substantially from Lori's stated position of divorce being permitted only for abandonment by an unbelieving spouse. These differing views clearly illustrate the broad range of perspectives on this topic within the Christian community, and the need for recognition that none of us has a full understanding. Therefore, we all should encourage the expression of other perspectives, and seek to better understand the heart of God.

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