The Christian Aesthetics of Divorce

New Ages “Till death do us part,” has been sacred words since marriage began. That person you know you are supposed to be with for the rest of your life and love until you go home to God, where we are all brothers and sister in Christ. If this is so why are the divorce rates increasing by the numbers? The foundation that is meant to build a household and lifetime of love and glorification to God is now shattered and used as an escape route for a peace of mind. Joseph N. Ducanto, author of Why do marriages fail, brings up an overlooked point in today’s society. He simple states that medical science is to blame for the significant percentage of failed marriages. (Ducanto) In the past 100 years the average life span has increased, and though one would not think that was significant to marriage, just maybe it is. Past centuries ago, people married young, had many children, and then died in there 30’s and 40’s. Today we are living an average 78 years. (Ducanto) Could the additional years become too much for people to bear? Is this way too long for two people to sustain love in a relationship? If we ask these questions then we also must ask ourselves how we can sustain a loving relationship with God, a spiritual unseen being, and not with a physically seen human being? Ducanto has a well thought idea and it is backed up by the divorce rates and the many divorces starting in middle adulthood. Studies show that in middle adulthood, couples see their children off to college or moving out on their own and they’re just left with each other. (Ducanto) These couples start seeing how much the other has changed and they no longer have an excuse to stay together. This brings back the question about sustaining a loving relationship with God versus a physical human. God is unchanging and loves unconditionally. Psalm 86:15 “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” (Buursman & Harney, 1996) Humans are

References: Ducanto, J. N. (n.d.). "Why do marriages fail?". Retrieved Nov 30, 2012, from Academic OneFile: http://0-go.galegroup.com.library.regent.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA306859365&v=2.1&u=vic_regent&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w Gaither, M James G. Emerson, J. (1926). Divorce, The Church, And Remarriage. Philadelphia: The Westminister Press.