The Institute (協会)

"As one divorce recovery expert put it, 'pain trumps theology.' This is a fact."

That "fact" smells just like brimstone. Weird.

I think Robin Williams attended Redeemer in New York. So if that's true, he was hearing preaching.

I once heard a convert who ministers to addicted and homeless peoples say, "The first thing we tell people is, 'Drugs are not your biggest problem. You THINK it's your biggest problem, but believe me, it's NOT your biggest problem.'"

I think truly getting that statement is apropos to all stations in life.

But most people just never get it.

Saw you on Glenn Beck last night! Cool glasses!

Pain trumps paper-theology. Theology that's alive and points me towards Jesus is my only real resource to deal with pain. It makes me realize that there is something beyond that pain, and Someone who has felt that pain.

Anthony:

You said...

Marriage is dead in America, folks. I would not be surprised if kids today have absolutely no confidence in the institution of marriage. They're immersed in divorce. Sadly, we can't even point to the church for an alternative vision in practice. And none of this people empty rhetoric of "just need to hear blah, blah." Or, even more worse empty rhetoric "people just need to believe blah, blah." P--LEASE. Preaching does not prevent divorce. As one divorce recovery expert put it, "pain trumps theology." This is a fact.

I say:
It's not empty rhetoric. The fact is, Jesus said "deny yourself". These divorces are symptomatic of the self-seeking obsession in
America.

Marriage is NOT dead. Is it eroding? Yes. Is it dead yet? Not hardly. In my church, at least, marriage is alive and well.

And frankly, Anthony, how does declaring some supposed "death" of marriage encourage young people to seek it out? You should be seeking to build it up, not to discourage it. Keith is right that people are refusing to deny themselves, and that's what is causing divorces.

It's not as if people think to themselves, "Hmm, marriage as an institution is eroding. I guess I'd better get on that bandwagon and divorce my spouse." They begin to see themselves as the center of the world, with THEIR problems, with THEIR frustrated desires, with THEIR perspective controlling every aspect of their lives. And of course, if they continue thinking of themselves this way, disobedience is only a hop, skip and a jump away.

Christians should be demonstrating GOSPEL marriages - marriages that demonstrate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, and any other of attributes which are the unique work of the Spirit. Husbands MUST cultivate these things in their wives; wives MUST encourage these things in their husbands. If they don't, the result will just be two selfish people living together (for a while).

Frankly, I view it as a minor miracle that anyone could stand to be in Robin Williams' vicinity for 19 years, let alone stay married to him!

But seriously...

I don't know that I agree that marriage is "dead," but I hear what you're saying. But you are right that people don't "just" need to believe and they don't "just" need to hear, what they "just" need is Christ's grace worked into their souls and lives and relationships by the Holy Spirit. But how can they receive the grace of One they have not believed in? And how can they believe if they have not heard?

As with any issue of human brokenness, there is no simple answer, but that doesn't mean there is no answer, or no hope.

Young people have absolutely lost confidence in marriage. I can't say how many conversations I've had with non-Christians about how they have no plans of getting married, how most people get divorced (at which point they point on the divorce rate within churches), and they finish by saying they can have just as good a relationship with somebody without documentation and an over-the-top ceremony. It's pretty depressing. I don't know if marriage is dead, but skepticism certainly seems to be at an all-time high. And heck, if I didn't believe what I believe, I'd probably be a skeptic too.

Yes, many, many people still stay married. Though, of the hundreds I personally know, most of those don't have publicists.

I don't think marriage is dead, but I sure think a large number of Americans choose "easy" over "best." I have to say that many people who choose divorce instead of loyalty and faithfulness are frankly, quitters. Just quitters. It's very disappointing. Man up, and work through the hard places.

this is an interesting addition to the discussion:
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=27727

What I find most interesting, and have mentioned to people before, is the flawed method of determining the so-called "50-50" divorce rate. It is not 50% of all married people. It is the there are basically twice as many new marriages as there are new divorces every year. When the statistics are closely examined, of all Americans who have been married, about one-third have had a divorce. Because, when you think about it closely, every person/couple who has had multiple marriages, that tends to skew the marriage statistics for every one else. Just a thought.

Great blog on a tragic event! Regardless of who the person is, each single divorce, is a tragedy! It impact us all as a culture and as a community.

Check the LIFEzone for divorce prevention and divorce recovery. Yes! Divorce is a sign of a deeper problem facing our culture. The sad reality is that our children become the greatest casualties of the adult population.

http://lifezonelive.com/2007/09/06/divorce-a-sympton-of-the-deeper-problem/

http://www.lifezonelive.com