Is there such thing as an “innocent party” in a divorce?
Yes.
I struggled with this question when fighting to retain my minister’s license years ago. Psycho-babble (and evil along with it) is winning when we cannot identify or distinguish between the innocent party and the perpetrator.
Now, I understand those who say we all contribute to our marriage relationship. Those contributions are rarely–if ever–without sin.
Marital sin, in general, is not what this question is asking about.
Another way to ask the question is:
Is one party innocent of the sin God considers marriage ending–e.g. adultery? If so, that individual is the “innocent party” in the divorce.
The faithful spouse is the “innocent party” in a divorce as they did not commit adultery.
-It matters not whether the faithful spouse files the paperwork.
-It matters not whether they were “submissive” enough (whatever that means?!).
-It matters not whether they were sinless in their speech.
They remain the “innocent party” as they remain innocent of sins God considers marriage ending matters.
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*A version of this post ran previously.
Thank you so much for this post. As a Christian and a sinner, I struggle with this concept on a regular basis. Especially in light of the fact that a therapist stated that I needed to look at what I had done in the marriage to cause the breakdown to the point where my soon-to-be-ex husband would cheat.
Glad the post helped. Sounds like it may be time to find another therapist. It is not helpful or healing to have someone tell us to take responsibility for being abused, and cheating is abuse.