Christian Couple and Divorce in Nigeria: A Biblical Perspective

Divorce is the process of terminating a marriage or marital union. It usually entails cancelling or reorganizing of legal duties and responsibilities of marriage, thus dissolving the matrimonial bonds between a married couple under the rule of law of the particular country or state. This paper examines some factors that lead to divorce in Nigeria and possibly Africa as a whole. While it is abundantly clear that God intended marriage to be a permanent union, there are also two grounds, controversial though they be, where the Bible appears to concede divorce and remarriage. It concludes that, the word “cleave” could be translated literally by the word “glued.” Marriage in the eyes of God is a relationship in which a man and a woman are “glued” together and the only thing that can separate them is death, and thereby recommend that, God’s position pertaining sexual union has not changed: no sex before marriage; no sex outside marriage. Christian homes should be citadels of peace and joy where water of sexuality is freely and joyfully shared between husbands and wives. This ‘sexual ethical teaching’ is an urgent need in the society today.