[BBart]

2 questions.

Must a deacon be a man?

Can a deacon be divorced?

If there are already threads on this topic please direct me to them.

[Thrash]

1: No
2: Yes

[OiBoyz]

Thrash, I'd be interested in where you get the "no" from. Actually, re-reading the post you're answering, I'd be interested in where you get your "yes" from, as well.

[jthomas1600]

I've heard three different thoughts on the "husband of one wife" issue.

First, the most conservative thinking seems to be no divorce is acceptably.

The second is that thing that were done before one was saved are covered under grace, so a divorce in a mans unregenerate state is usually not an issue.

The third line of thinking I've heard even allows for possibly for the divorce of a believer. This thinking is that maybe a better interpretation of "husband of one wife" could be "a one woman man". I guess in other words it speaks to faithfulness.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by BBart

Must a deacon be a man?

In the true biblical sense, no. Deacons were provided as a source of service to widows originally and I can certainly think of ways widows could need help that would entail female assistance as appropriate.

This position holds no kinship to the baptist idea of deacon, which is much more analogous to the biblical concept of elder.

Deacons are rulers in the sense that they are the servants of the church, and the greatest of believers should be the servant of all.

Can a deacon be divorced?

If there are already threads on this topic please direct me to them.

I would say that if it was before salvation, yes. Clearly, god calls murderers, adulterers, homosexuals, those disobedient to their parents, etc. He then causes them to reject their old way of life, and causes them to be born again. But they are no longer regarded as having an identity based on past sin. Thus it would seem to me that based on that... ...you could have someone who has divorced in the past.

Now as far as believers who get divorced, the situation is binary. Either the divorce was acceptable, (cheating spouse) or not. If not, they need to be under church discipline rather than leaders. If the divorce was acceptable, they have failed in the requirements of deacons to rule their own house well.

[Ridley's Own]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

Now as far as believers who get divorced, the situation is binary. Either the divorce was acceptable, (cheating spouse) or not. If not, they need to be under church discipline rather than leaders.

But historically, after someone has been disciplined and re-admitted to Communion, what then? I can't recall any particular practices that suggested that church discipline never ceased to exist.

If the divorce was acceptable, they have failed in the requirements of deacons to rule their own house well.

Maybe I"m misreading you, but if my wife decided to leave me for some hunk of a man in a quickie marriage in Vegas, I'm not sure how I've failed the requirements.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by Ridley's Own

But historically, after someone has been disciplined and re-admitted to Communion, what then? I can't recall any particular practices that suggested that church discipline never ceased to exist.

Good point, but I am still unsure, because, as the text notes the requirements for elders and deacons is stiffer than your average believer. And church discipline still exists in theory. However, I think it is pretty obvious that in certain circles, it is discarded. Ironically, in my experience, by the stricter, more "conservative" denominations.

Maybe I"m misreading you, but if my wife decided to leave me for some hunk of a man in a quickie marriage in Vegas, I'm not sure how I've failed the requirements.

They say one who rules his own house well. Frankly, I think the requirement there is for as much the corporate church as the individual. For example, what do you do if a Christian has a son who, say, sells drugs, and pimps women. (I have a brother who did that for a while.) Would it have been appropriate for my dad to have been an elder even if his character was sterling at that point. (and really, I think it was at that point. This is after he repented of a lot of things he had done over the years.) I think the passages on suitability of deacons and elders would rule one out there, even for another's sin. I just think it is a little less about us, and a little more about the family and church as a whole in it's original writing.

Now we could take this to context, but I am just pointing that out.

[Skifree0813]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

Good point, but I am still unsure, because, as the text notes the requirements for elders and deacons is stiffer than your average believer.

I agree with this, but should they be completely barred from serving in that manner because of one incident (not to belittle the seriousness of divorce by any means)? I think this might have to be a call based solely on prayer and discretion of the leaders. I'm sure that in some cases it might be acceptable to allow even a post-salvation divorcee to resume his or her duty as a deacon, and I also believe there are plenty of circumstances where this wouldn't be right.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by Skifree0813

I agree with this, but should they be completely barred from serving in that manner because of one incident (not to belittle the seriousness of divorce by any means)? I think this might have to be a call based solely on prayer and discretion of the leaders. I'm sure that in some cases it might be acceptable to allow even a post-salvation divorcee to resume his or her duty as a deacon, and I also believe there are plenty of circumstances where this wouldn't be right.

Why not?
Moses was barred from the promise land, David had the sword never depart from his house, all over one single incident. God cares about single incidents far more than we do, and divorce is a heinous act, for which God cursed the land of Israel.

I think your post overlooks the fact that God regards divorce as one of the very most evil sins of all. It does belittle the seriousness of divorce. Would you allow a 1st degree murderer to be restored to deaconhood? Even if it was a one time offense?

[Bryan]

you can't seriously be putting divorce on the same level as murder?

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by Bryan

you can't seriously be putting divorce on the same level as murder?

God puts it up there. He regards it as violence throughout the book of Malachi, and it is no less damaging than murder.

Malachi 2: 13 Another thing you do: You flood the LORD's altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. 14 You ask, "Why?" It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.

15 Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. [e] So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.

16 "I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself [f] with violence as well as with his garment," says the LORD Almighty.
So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.

God only says he hates a very few sins and divorce wins this dubious distinction.

[Skifree0813]

I'm not sure I can go along with anything concerning levels of sins.. But I do think that yes, there are situations where the person should be restricted from the position indefinitely. But I don't think this should necessarily always be the case. I firmly believe in a just God, and believe the church needs to maintain discipline as well, but I think there should be space for forgiveness to the point of complete restoration if it's deemed appropriate.

I guess I can try to be a little more direct- I think as a general assumption, a deacon divorced after being saved should be at least strongly considered for permanent removal of his or her position (and without question, temporary removal). But I think there is a possibility that prayer could lead to the (correct) decision to reinstate him or her.

EDIT: To clarify the levels thing; I believe God views sins differently, as showed in the previously posted Scripture. I just don't find myself able to discern where everything is on the scale.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by Skifree0813

I'm not sure I can go along with anything concerning levels of sins.. But I do think that yes, there are situations where the person should be restricted from the position indefinitely. But I don't think this should necessarily always be the case. I firmly believe in a just God, and believe the church needs to maintain discipline as well, but I think there should be space for forgiveness to the point of complete restoration if it's deemed appropriate.

I guess I can try to be a little more direct- I think as a general assumption, a deacon divorced after being saved should be at least strongly considered for permanent removal of his or her position (and without question, temporary removal). But I think there is a possibility that prayer could lead to the (correct) decision to reinstate him or her.

Does scripture leave you that option? I really do not think it does.

You can put up prayer and feelings, and other such excuses as reason, but nowhere in scripture is that method used. In fact, as far as that method goes, I might say I think it is largely pagan, unbiblical and a form of divination not allowed by scripture. (and yes, attempting to divine the will of a deity is divination by definition)

Lots were used, and I think with good reason in biblical times. I can convince myself of an interpretation of a feeling. However, if I use a binary lot system such as scripture does outline, then there is no interpretation to be made. Thus, the ones making the decision do not control the outcome.

And as far as divorce goes, it seems to be one of the biblically harshest dealt with sins, but culturally lax.

[Skifree0813]

Prayer is definitely frequently used as an excuse; I think my post was a little overoptimistic. Essentially, I was saying that God could tell the leaders of a church to pardon someone. From a strictly logical standpoint I have to admit it's not solid. But the entire theme of grace that is the gospel leads me to believe that there's no reason why God couldn't decide to allow someone to continue his or her duty, if it follows His plan.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Bryan

you can't seriously be putting divorce on the same level as murder?

The scripture does say that God hates divorce. Does it say that God hates murder? (That is an honest question...I don't think it does,but I could be wrong).