Second Affirmative

Proposition:  "The Scriptures teach that biblical putting away is synonymous with the civil procedure for divorce in one’s respective society and that the innocent one must secure that civil divorce in order to have a right to remarry."

In taking up my second affirmative, I wish to clarify something at the outset: I do not believe it is necessary for someone to file first in court in order to put away his spouse. Again, there must be compliance with the governing laws, etc. What kind of compliance? Full compliance. If the act of filing papers at a court house does not, per se, constitute full compliance, then it cannot be considered a necessary element in putting away a spouse. Someone can file papers and halfway through the process, decide not to divorce his spouse. A putting away occurs only when the spouse’s intent is fully realized and civil government has officially recognized that intent. Therefore, it is inaccurate to say that I believe in "race to the courthouse."

At any rate, I want our readers to note something that brother Osborne has said: "Neither is this discussion about the need to comply with civil law in divorce. A civil divorce must be obtained when a marriage is sundered and the two people depart from each other." What that in mind, let’s revisit the elements I said were necessary in order to put away a spouse:

Continue reading » Second Affirmative – Terence Sheridan

First Affirmative

Proposition: “The Scriptures teach that biblical putting away is synonymous with the civil procedure for divorce in one’s respective society and that the innocent one must secure that civil divorce in order to have a right to remarry.”

I want to thank Harry Osborne for offering to debate me and Stan Cox for agreeing to provide space for publication of this debate in Watchman Magazine. I believe the subject under consideration is one of grave importance for the Lord’s church. Therefore, I hope that good will come of this debate and that truth will be vindicated by it.

My affirmative is as follows:

“The Scriptures teach that biblical putting away is synonymous with the civil procedure for divorce in one’s respective society and that the innocent one must secure that civil divorce in order to have a right to remarry.”

Now, it is customary for a disputant to define his terms as they are used in a given debate so as to avoid misunderstanding on the part of those evaluating his position. Here are some important terms to address and my respective definitions:

Continue reading » First Affirmative – Terence Sheridan