UPC Pastor Convicted of Slander in Pulpit!

[missourimary]

Originally Posted by allstate1

After doing some research it seems as if Angela is the one who filed for divorce!!! I could not find the reason she had for filing. This would shed a whole new light on the subject!!

It might, or it just might add more gossip to a growing pile.

Hmmm... If the plaintiff had "left the faith" in his opinion because she was no longer abiding by his rules (wearing what he defined as immodest clothes), was therefore an unbeliever, and then filed for divorce, then he could have gone to 1 Cor 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such [cases]... and avoided the whole matter.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by missourimary

It might, or it just might add more gossip to a growing pile.

Hmmm... If the plaintiff had "left the faith" in his opinion because she was no longer abiding by his rules (wearing what he defined as immodest clothes), was therefore an unbeliever, and then filed for divorce, then he could have gone to 1 Cor 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such [cases]... and avoided the whole matter.

Interesting point. I am very interested as to why the pastor didn't use that defense, unless he had preached against remarriage in every case except adultery.

EDIT: Didn't someone say she was attending another church at the time?

[missourimary]

Originally Posted by jfrog

Interesting point. I am very interested as to why the pastor didn't use that defense, unless he had preached against remarriage in every case except adultery.

Which would lead to a more profitable discussion about interpretations of various passages and the necessity of preaching the whole counsel of God.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by missourimary

Which would lead to a more profitable discussion about interpretations of various passages and the necessity of preaching the whole counsel of God.

There are a few things we can learn from this situation and that are worth discussion. To name a few:

1) putting ourselves in compromising situations or in positions where people can speak evil of us even if we did nothing wrong except used bad judgement.

2) the definition of fornication

3) we would be wise to hear both sides of a story and seek God to show us the truth before we lay blame or accusations.

4) We should treat others the way we want to be treated

5) Speculation is unwise and placing sinful motives is unfair.

[missourimary]

Originally Posted by jfrog

EDIT: Didn't someone say she was attending another church at the time?

She was attending another church at the time the announcement was made. I've seen no evidence one way or the other as to whether she was attending church, or which church, at the time of the separation or divorce.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by missourimary

She was attending another church at the time the announcement was made. I've seen no evidence one way or the other as to whether she was attending church, or which church, at the time of the separation or divorce.

If she was attending another church at the time of the bikini incident or even at the time of the announcment, that may have been enough of a reason to make the pastor doubt that she was an unbeliever and why he didn't go the 1 Corinthians 7 route