Can you comment on marriage annulment?
Introduction. Annulment as applied to marriage means, "The formal declaration that annuls a marriage" (Random House College Dictionary), In addressing this good question, I am at a disadvantage in that annulment, as applied to marriage, is not found in the scriptures. Also, the "formal declaration" involved in an annulment can be either civil , "church," or both.
God's law for marriage. God's law for marriage is set forth in such passages as: Gen. 2: 18-25, Matt. 5:32,19:9,1 Cor. 7, and Rom. 7: 1-3. Two people are joined together (bound) for life, this is God's law. Death and adultery are the only contingencies (Rom. 7: 2, Matt. 5: 32, 19: 9). Please appreciate the fact of the total absence of any Biblical reference to "annulment." Also, notice the emphatic warning: "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matt. 19:6).
The act of marriage annulment. Your writer freely admits to not having knowledge of all the civil and religious practices which come under the heading of marriage annulment. Some, I understand, limit annulment to the specific case of vows being exchanged but, for some reason, the marriage is not physically consummated. Others have obtained an annulment through their church, years and several children after the marriage ceremony. Beloved, man, no man, whether civil or religious, has the right to dissolve a marriage (only God can dissolve the marriage bond) on grounds other that what God has expressly said! (Rev. 22: 18, 19.)
Conclusion. Dear reader, God has revealed his will on the subject of marriage. Man needs to desist his own legislation and rebellion against God's law (cf. Mk. 7: 1-13, Matt. 19: 3). It is the height of folly for man to believe he can arbitrarily annul what God has established.
God's law for marriage. God's law for marriage is set forth in such passages as: Gen. 2: 18-25, Matt. 5:32,19:9,1 Cor. 7, and Rom. 7: 1-3. Two people are joined together (bound) for life, this is God's law. Death and adultery are the only contingencies (Rom. 7: 2, Matt. 5: 32, 19: 9). Please appreciate the fact of the total absence of any Biblical reference to "annulment." Also, notice the emphatic warning: "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matt. 19:6).
The act of marriage annulment. Your writer freely admits to not having knowledge of all the civil and religious practices which come under the heading of marriage annulment. Some, I understand, limit annulment to the specific case of vows being exchanged but, for some reason, the marriage is not physically consummated. Others have obtained an annulment through their church, years and several children after the marriage ceremony. Beloved, man, no man, whether civil or religious, has the right to dissolve a marriage (only God can dissolve the marriage bond) on grounds other that what God has expressly said! (Rev. 22: 18, 19.)
Conclusion. Dear reader, God has revealed his will on the subject of marriage. Man needs to desist his own legislation and rebellion against God's law (cf. Mk. 7: 1-13, Matt. 19: 3). It is the height of folly for man to believe he can arbitrarily annul what God has established.