tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8261814012053869943.post8632897827983728436..comments2023-10-09T03:39:02.388-06:00Comments on Expository Lutheran: No Innocent Party?Bror Ericksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06913133289813136695noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8261814012053869943.post-71753412386270270402012-10-19T23:56:17.976-06:002012-10-19T23:56:17.976-06:00I was divorced in1974 in NJ just after the no-faul...I was divorced in1974 in NJ just after the no-fault law took effect here. I lost out on being able to show what happened with the shot gun in the back, the drinking he did, etc. it was a stigma for many years. <br /><br />Our pastor at the time around 1970's left our church and we found out that he got divorced; his wife didn't want to be married to a pastor, so it was said. He never married again but was still a pastor in NY State for years after.<br /><br />I often wondered if he was fairly treated for divorcing back then because I was not as a layperson on society. But today, 40 years later, it should be that things are improved. I am sorry to hear that there are those in the clergy that have not realized that we are all sinners.<br /><br />The same forgiveness is available to both pastors and laypeople. The same grace from God is still there for all. Pastor, may God bless you and your wife as you go forward inHim.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8261814012053869943.post-90614155518763854272012-10-19T21:06:56.894-06:002012-10-19T21:06:56.894-06:00I understand.I understand.Waynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00075308627827022670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8261814012053869943.post-71428659403925547002012-10-17T17:18:22.050-06:002012-10-17T17:18:22.050-06:00Once "no fault" divorce became the norm,...Once "no fault" divorce became the norm, the notion of a juridically innocent party went out the window. So did any justice for those victimized by abuse, adultery, and abandonment. The church fails miserably in this regard, and even more so with the way it treats divorced and divorcing pastors. Thank you for writing this and reminding us of the sane and just approach of the Reformers.WM Cwirlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12317197804776939257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8261814012053869943.post-36125278546813093852012-10-17T12:46:09.126-06:002012-10-17T12:46:09.126-06:00Yes, this should be our first question, "who ...Yes, this should be our first question, "who do we put under the ban?! I mean we can't be pastors if we don't figure that out...<br />Bror Ericksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06913133289813136695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8261814012053869943.post-3265954399995410862012-10-17T12:25:05.346-06:002012-10-17T12:25:05.346-06:00You're dealing with some deeply painful stuff ...You're dealing with some deeply painful stuff here. We have not handled divorce (in general or among the clergy) in a way that leads people to grace or applies love in a difficult situation. I remember a discussion on divorce, and in the end the first question asked by the pastors in the room was, "But who do we put under the ban?" <br /><br />Sorry for your pain, and I thank God that you have a new bride and continue in ministry. <br /><br />God's blessings to you and yours. Eric Trittenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02636028215557645005noreply@blogger.com