Uncommon Commentary #258: Divorced from Truth

People seem to think that if divorce is wrong, it is so only for Roman Catholics; God Himself, however, during His incarnation, told us that divorce is not permissible under any circumstances except adultery, and that whoever marries a person whose ex-spouse is still living commits adultery. (Sources including St. Augustine have regarded His words as meaning merely that someone with an unfaithful spouse may "put away", i.e., separate from, but not actually end the marriage to, that spouse.)  I know many devout Christians who have been divorced for reasons other than infidelity, and I know of many others, e.g., the late President Reagan; I hope that God mercifully grants them a place in Heaven despite their marital status, but the decision does lie with Him, whose wisdom far surpasses ours.