Tough text. In generations past, this would have provided no problem for the preacher — Jesus says, "No divorce," the church says, "Amen" (along with most polite society); case closed. But these days, things are different. Jesus still says, "No divorce," but only part of the church says, "Amen," while other parts say, "We are not so sure" (and polite society says, "Mind your own business"); case not closed at all.

I recall a conversation at our dinner table one evening years ago that was so bizarre I remember it like yesterday. Somehow the talk had turned to the number of youngsters in my own children's classes who were living with "Mom and Mike." Those children were the majority. There were problems with such arrangements, of course: the one most obvious to my kids was the impossibility …