Equipping the Saints

Confronting the Reality of Marital Abuse with Foundational Issues, Biblical Compassion, and Exegetical Objectivity

Steve Swartz

The question of divorce within the Christian community has long posed a challenge for both pastors and church members, with a wide range of perspectives on the matter. One critical aspect of this theological discussion that often goes unaddressed is the issue of abuse. In a typical church setting, a pastor may counsel a couple or an individual enduring severe and unrepentant abuse, whether physical or emotional. The traditional stance on divorce often allows it only in cases of adultery or abandonment. This puts the pastor in a difficult position: he must uphold biblical principles while potentially placing a genuine victim of unrepentant abuse in a painful situation where they feel compelled to “obey God” by remaining in an abusive relationship indefinitely. The question arises: Does the Bible address the issue of divorce and abuse? Although Scripture does not provide explicit teaching on this topic, Dr. Swartz examines relevant exegetical issues to offer guidelines on what truly constitutes abandonment. In a clear and detailed manner, Dr. Swartz presents a compelling argument that unrepentant abuse may, in fact, qualify as a form of abandonment, thus providing one of the rare circumstances in which God permits the mercy of divorce.