Maxey - Broking Discussion
A Critical Review and Defense of
Down, But Not Out

Monday, April 24, 2000

A Response by Darrell Broking
To Maxey's Reply to Broking's Post #1

Al Maxey wrote:
"I'm not sure what standard Darrell has assumed I am using, but let me state clearly for the record that I have repeatedly stated in my book (and state often in my teaching and preaching, and will REstate here) that the *only* standard we are to employ is God's Word."

Darrell Broking:
A discussion on these matters is really premature at this point. It may be best to discuss each of these elements as the chapter in which they are found is discussed. I only mention these points of disagreement to illustrate what I meant by the statement: "However, we disagree about the standard men are to follow on the subject of marriage, divorce and remarriage."

Al goes to great lengths to say that the phrase "except for fornication" (Matt. 19:9) is not an exceptive clause. Al says that "adultery" (Matt. 19:9) refers to unfaithfulness to the covenant itself, not a life of sexual activity. Al says that "fornication" as used in Matthew 19:9 means much more than illicit sexual contact. But Jesus Christ said, "And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery" (Matt. 19:9). Al Maxey says that these words really mean something different than what the Bible says they mean. Therefore Al Maxey actually has to use something other than Jesus' doctrine to teach his IDEAL for marriage.

Al Maxey wrote:
"I would hope that this is Darrell's standard as well, but if his is different than mine then perhaps he could share with us what other standard he is employing in his quest for truth on the subject of MDR."

Darrell Broking:
I am pleased to follow the New Testament pattern on this subject.

Al Maxey wrote:
"I am wondering (and please correct me, Darrell, if my assumption is incorrect here) if perhaps brother Broking is looking *only* to the recorded statements of Jesus as his standard on MDR, rather than to the entirety of God's inspired Word. What has led me to wonder this are such statements in his post as '....choose to stand with Jesus,' and 'By pointing out what Jesus taught on ....,' and '....the major difference between the teaching of Al Maxey and that of Jesus Christ,' and 'Jesus Christ is the authority on every subject relating to the Bible.'"

Darrell Broking:
Before Jesus went to the cross he gave the apostles a solemn promise: "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you" (John 16:12-14).

Obviously, Jesus planned to teach through inspired men. The writers of the New Testament were guided in all truth by the Holy Ghost, who was simply relaying Christ's doctrine to the charismatics. Men today come to know Jesus through the writings of these inspired men (John 17:20). Because Jesus' doctrine was given to these men through the Holy Ghost, the words of the New Testament writers are the Lord's and will judge men in the last day (John 12:48). Therefore, all New Testament doctrine is part of the doctrine of Christ (see 2 John 1:9-11). Furthermore, the Old Testament is retained in the Bible for our learning, not for our law (Rom. 15:4). All authority on the subject of Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage is found in the New Testament, and it is all Jesus' teaching.

Al Maxey wrote:
"Thus, to single out the teaching of Jesus alone, or to narrow it even further to a single statement in a single passage (Matthew 19:9, for example), and to suggest that THIS constitutes the full and final word on the subject, is to deprive oneself and one's students of the full counsel of God."

Darrell Broking:
Actually Al, by attempting to say that Jesus did not mean "Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery" (Matt. 19:9), you deprive yourself and others the full counsel of God's word. Nothing said by Jesus through Paul, or any other New Testament writer, contradicts, amends or adds to what Jesus taught on this subject before his crucifixion.

Al Maxey wrote:
"My view of the IDEAL is no different than the Lord's. Note the following statements from my Introduction: 'Intimate relationships, which God designed to be PERMANENT, are being defiled and destroyed by selfish pursuits.' Also: 'What is the original intent and design of our Creator? ..... It is a union blessed by God, designed to be PERMANENT, and NOT TO BE DISSOLVED. The Creator's IDEAL is: One man for one woman FOR LIFE.' Again, note the words and phrases which I have placed in CAPS for you. I don't see that I am declaring any different IDEAL than the one clearly taught in Scripture; the very same one to which Jesus Christ directed His hearers."

Darrell Broking:
Al, the real problem with your IDEAL is that it presents only half of the truth. The half that you deny will condemn many to eternal damnation. The Lord's Ideal, or standard to which conformity must be made, says that when one divorces for any reason other than fornication and marries another, he committeth adultery (a present tense verb denoting an ongoing state). The Lord's standard goes on to inform the Bible student that all adulterers shall not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9). But Al Maxey's IDEAL implies that if your first marriage does not succeed, get a new wife and try, try again. If that does not work, then by all means try again. Al Maxey's IDEAL actually encourages people to live in the sinful state of adultery.

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