I apologize for the late response. But here’s my stab at the situation you propose.

I’m assuming by your description that both the originally married man and woman are Bible-believing Christians, correct? If that’s the case, then I’m assuming you see the grounds for divorce being filed on the account of the woman’s infidelity (Mt 5:31, 19:3-4, 7-9, etc.). So I follow you this far. But here’s where I think it needs to be clarified. I believe that the bond of marriage was broken when the act of infidelity occurred. Not only that, but the vow of marriage was broken as well when the husband agreed to divorce his wife. Seeing that as the case, I don’t believe, whether recognized by the state or civil law, the husband and the former wife are still under the covenant. For the covenant was broken both by the act of sex outside of marriage (sex is the marriage covenant ratifying act, Ex 22:16-17, Gen 34, Deut 22:28-29) & the renunciation of the marriage covenant vows (man’s vow of covenant, Gen 2:23).

In summary, while it may be wise, as we ought to be under the ruling authorities in respectful submission, to get the marriage properly annulled, I don’t think God’s view of the marriage is as if it is still intact. The marriage covenant was broken two-fold, both by act (sex) and vow.

So to answer you question. I don’t believe the man and the new woman he is dating is out of line Scripturally, but they are definitely not being wise Biblically. I would not want marriage to be viewed in such flippant manners as to think the minute someone fails, I’m out of there. But I hope marriage is lifted higher than that and is viewed as Covenant before God and lived out by the Grace of God.

I hope that helps somehow. I’d love to talk more about it if you need clarification.

I think he hit the nail on the head several times in regards to what young women and men should be looking for in a spouse. Too much of our media and culture puts out unrealistic expectaions about relationships and idealizes sex and infatuation.

The best qualities in a marriage, though, come down to values and character. At least that’s the foundation of any good one!

Whether you’re a Christian or not, these are great pieces of advice!

but what i think he means by that is simply that you want to begin dating someone that shares a similar view of gender and family issues. i would sound off on that by saying it’s important to share a similar theology as the person you intend to marry. because if you totally disagree on how you ought to raise your children or can’t agree on the role of a woman and man in a relationship, then there’s going to be inevitable divisions.

Allen Taylor