First off, my wife and I have been married for over 21 years, never divorced before that… (full disclosure)

But I took myself out of the running for a job about 4 years ago.

Here was the situation.

They had a bylaw that stated that a divorced person couldn’t lead a ministry. I told them that was a sticking point for me. (One of my “hot buttons” is this kind of legalistic and, I believe, unbiblical nonsense I told them.)

Here’s my argument. According to their rules, if my wife and I divorced, I couldn’t lead in their church, but if I killed my wife, spent a few years in the slammer, repented and came out of prison yearning to serve, I could lead.

This is what I call straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel.

Also in the interest of full disclosure, I have been divorced.  While I was in the Army my wife of a dozen years announced that she no longer wanted to be married to a husband who was gone more than he was home.  Being an Army wife is not easy and I understood her feelings.  I then found out that whenever I was away it was her practice to behave as though she were not married, at which point I also wanted a divorce.  So although I was divorced I believe there were biblically acceptable reasons for it.

This article isn’t completely clear but it sounds like the school would not have been satisfied with him simply telling them the divorce was for biblically sanctioned reasons, they wanted details which he stated he was not willing to discuss with them.

If the school would have been satisfied with him stating that there were acceptable reasons, and he declined to discuss it at all then I think they’re justified.  If they would not have been satisfied with that answer and wanted salacious details then I think the school would be wrong in firing him.

Todd, as the website owner, you have a responsibility to frame your ‘follow-up’ questions, well, responsibly. Inviting moral judgment of decisions made in contexts divorced from our own is just cheap voyeurism.

So if you’re interested about the formal dynamics of this situation, then talk about contracts, colleges and personal responsibilities. But don’t ask was this right when we have no way of knowing all the relevant details. I’m considering leaving MMI for good because of the moral voyeurism you often encourage.

Peace,
-Daniel-

Gotta agree with Eric’s last paragraph re: Daniel’s slamming of Todd - do it privately.  And, while I often disagree with your theological perspectives, Daniel, I have appreciated your participation in these discussions and would miss that if you left.  But frankly, I was quite surprised by your rather harsh and manipulative words ("moral voyeurism”?!?  gimme a break!)

Chastising aside, Daniel raises a good point, that we cannot come to a clear judgment on this situation in the absence of all the facts.  We’ve had that discussion here on many prior occasions.  Regardless of how the questions may be framed, though, an appropriate and useful intent is to figure out how we might behave in a similar situation...filling in details on our own as needed. 

In this case, it appears that Professor Gramm has acted honorably on several levels - not wanting to discuss the details of his personal life, not wanting to “publicly” accuse his wife (even if only to a school official), and not taking legal action to keep his job...probably recognizing that he may not have a legal case.  It also appears that the school is acting honorably - it is abiding by its contract, and offered him a year to continue while he sought another job. 

Now about how divorce ought to be handled in academics and the church:  I would suggest that in both areas, a well-reasoned doctrinal position is the first need.  Then, “policies” should flow out that are consistent with that position and with the balance of scripture, and that are appropriate to the environment (e.g., the difference between a church and a school, or different standard for administrators versus faculty versus support staff).  Next, we need to have a well-reasoned means of handling exceptions.  For example, can a professor - or pastor - hold a different view of divorce (or baptism or eschatology or ...) than the school or church, but still be on staff?  This gets down to that age-old question, what is essential and what is non-essential?  We won’t all agree on the answers, but we do need to agree on how to play when we don’t agree on the answers.

Daniel, I’m not tracking you here, either, brother, as this is not typical of you.  I think an important issue has been raised here, ie, the difference between the behavioral consequences of Christian college faculty and church staff members, and I am curious to see what people wiser and more knowledgeable than myself think about these matters.

Gently,
Nora

Daniel,

Thanks for the clarification.  I wasn’t asking anyone to personally judge this professor.  My question (at least from my standpoint) was whether or not a Christian College or church should fire in a situation such as a divorce.

And honestly, this man is going through a divorce, has lost his job, and was written up in the Chicago Tribune.  I doubt that seeing something on MMI would send him over the edge. 

I pray for him, his wife, the college, and everyone involved.  These things are never good; and surely don’t bring a smile to the face of God.

Todd

As I recall, Wheaton has fairly strict standards for students as well.  Given their mission, I don’t personally have a problem with holding faculty to similarly strict standards which, in their belief, reflects Biblical rather than worldly manner of living out faith.

Clearly, not all divorced are barred from employment.  This is a change in life which came about WHILE serving as a teacher and role model for students.  They didn’t just kick the guy to the curb; he chose to leave right away rather than comply with the agreement he made before being added to the staff.  It’s not like they wanted him to air all of his personal business in public; he chose to do this.  Rather, they wanted him to counsel privately with a staff member who presumably would serve the role of elder for the school.

Doesn’t the Bible say, “Be not many of you teachers for they face greater condemnation.” Teachers in any school or university with a clear Christian mission should expect to be held to higher standards of behavior while serving in their post. 

The parents laying down private college tuition could save a lot of money by sending them to a secular school if their desire was an environment where the faculty reflected worldly rather than Biblical standards, at least as that school defines them.

Peter,

My understanding of 1 Timothy would also preclude a murderer from becoming a leader (deacon) in a church. 

Perhaps the letter of the law may not have been correct in the case you mentioned, but I believe the spirit was correct.  Churches and Christian organizations ought to have high standards for leadership.  Leaders can’t be proclaiming one thing and then living another.