Question:  I am a Christian, married to a Muslim.  When we got married I thought that one day he would believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Five months ago, I found out that he committed adultery with another woman.  We have a three-year-old son.  My husband is regretting his infidelity and wants us to come back home.  Question?  Could I divorce my husband in the eyes of God and be able to remarry?  Or should I forgive my husband (which I have already), but I am not sure God wants me in a relationship with a Muslim, who after 7 years has no plans of being saved.

            Teresa

Answer:  Dear Teresa,

            Question about what is permissible in terms of divorce in God’s eyes is answered differently by a variety of Christian churches.  On the one end of the spectrum some churches see no distinction between any divorce that is legal in the eyes of the state in which a Christian lives and what God would recognize.  On the other end, there are some Christians who believe that there is virtually no biblical reason for divorce – ever.

            PTM believes that all teachings about divorce for Christians should be based in what Jesus taught in Matthew 19.  He gave an “exception clause” – see verse 9 – translated “marital unfaithfulness” in the NIV – from the Greek “porneia”.  The understanding of what Jesus meant by using the word “porneia” forms the basis of discussion about divorce in many denominations.

            PTM, of course, cannot give marital advice or counseling over the Internet.  However, we hope this direction might give you some insight, and that you will be able to seek appropriate counsel accordingly.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht