What we believe about marriage and divorce:
The Bible and Lutherans teach that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. It is a partnership in which the man is the loving head. Marriage is established by God. It is a holy relationship not to be broken. A married person sins if he or she divorces without a biblical reason. Before God, no divorce is valid except in cases of fornication or desertion. The tendency to consider marriage as unimportant results in great harm to the family, the church, and the nation.
Genesis 2:18
The Lord God said, "It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
Ephesians 5:24,25
Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Matthew 19:9
I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.
1 Corinthians 7:15
If the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances.
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God.
