Truthseeker

Rose,
Don Johnson is the ‘Don’ mentioned above, and he is the person from whom I first learned of the groundbreaking work by David Instone Brewer on divorce. He wrote a book about divorce from the Christian/biblical perspective that leaves all others in the dust as far as I am concerned, and explains things very well. David Instone Brewer has a website and I emailed him several questions a couple of years ago and he responded quickly and very helpfully. You won’t be disappointed.

I have learned that so much of what the bible says that seems hurtful or puzzling clears up when I finally learn more about what it really meant ‘back then.’ This is true of so many issues that I no longer worry about the tough ones: I know there is a good explanation out there though I may not learn of it in my lifetime. So I just hand those unknowns to God, set them on the shelf, and wait until I get clarification that brings peace. I don’t feel obligated to accept any person’s interpretation until there is a clear explanation that makes sense. Literal readings of the bible can often be puzzling when we don’t have all the contextual and linguistic information. I believe the Holy Spirit can give us a quiet peaceful assurance that God has reasons that are truly good and just and loving for things; we may simply not have the proper understanding. I don’t say that as an advocate of women being subjugated subordinate, or having to put up with abuse or anything like that because I don’t believe God teaches any of that. I am convinced, but each person has to come to their own convincement about these issues and the way and journey is usually a bit trying and not short.