MDR Questions between D. Brown, H.D., Denham & J. Waldron
Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage
Shillong, Meghalaya, N. E. India
July 2, 2009
To Whom It May Concern:
My love and regards to all who love our Lord Jesus in truth, for it is written, “love the brotherhood” (I Peter 2:17).
Re: The question of a debate on the subjects of marriage, divorce and remarriage (MDR), between David Brown and Jim Waldron.
On July 2, 2009 the following emails from brother Howard Daniel Denham were forwarded to me by two other brothers:
Original Message-----
From: Howard Daniel Denham
To: CFTF@yahoogroups. com
Sent: Wed, Jul 1, 2009 4:57 pm
Subject: [CFTF] Debate on MDR
Item 1, ”As some of you know, we have been in negotiations with Jim Waldron in trying to arrange public debates in both TN and TX concerning the role of civil government as pertains to MDR. Brother Waldron initially accepted our challenge. He demanded in correspondence that we deny a proposition that we believe and affirm a proposition that we don't believe, which propositions also do not deal with the issue at hand. When we submitted counter propositions that actually deal with said issue, he cut off the negotiations. Our last letter to him was returned unopened and stamped "Refused." So much for his supposed willingness to discuss the matter fairly and forthrightly! Daniel Denham.”
Item 2, From Daniel Denham to one of his respondents, “Jim Waldron continues to attack his opponents and yet will not face them in a public debate on propositions that clearly address the matters concerning his attacks. He has decided to hide in the hillocks and mountains of TN rather than correct his error. He has divided churches over his error and has much else to account for regarding it. It seems, as you have noted, that many have lost "the courage of their convictions" in our day. Sad, sad times indeed! Daniel Denham.” Forwarded to Waldron on July 2, 2009 at 8:42 a.m.
Item 3, Daniel Denham, “What he tried to get us to do was agree to deny the text of Luke 16:18 and to affirm that we believe in his depiction of view he opposes as "mental divorce." When we offered propositions that actually addressed the points of dispute over the application of Matthew 19:9's exceptive clause, he bolted the exchange. He either has no real grasp of the issue as he has claimed he has or else he realized that he was in over his head. BTW the entire exchange is to be published in Contending For The Faith for all to see for themselves. Daniel Denham." Forwarded to Waldron on July 2, 2009 at 8:38 a.m.
Waldron’s Response: Brethren I am not hiding in the hillocks and mountains of Tennessee (Item 2 above), although they are greatly to be admired; I am in the northeast part of India in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas teaching Romans to a class of thirteen student preachers. Now to the question of a debate:
In September 2002, brother David Brown, editor of Contending For The Faith (CFTF) published an article by brother Terry Hightower that was a critique of an article written by brother Jim Mettenbrink in which the latter affirmed the words of our Lord on the question of MDR as found in Matthew 5 and 19. Hightower in his article rejected the things Mettenbrink had written and put forth his own views on MDR. In presenting his views he stated that some viewed his teaching as being “mental divorce,” then proceeded to accept that conclusion.
As most are aware, if one buys a house the “underwriters” of a loan must sign off on such before it will be granted. The editor of CFTF not only signed off on Hightower’s rejection of Mettenbrink’s teaching as being false, but also on Hightower’s doctrine and his acceptance of the term “mental divorce” as it applied to his teaching.
Due to my being abroad much of the time between September 2002 and the Spring of 2003 I did not see a copy of the September 2002 CFTF until May 2003. After reading Hightower’s article I wrote to him personally showing how his reasoning was inconsistent with the truth. We exchanged letters on the question. You may have a copy of those letters, Mettenbrink’s article and other pertinent materials without charge. Request the “Packet on Mental Divorce” from, Waldron Mission fund, P.O. Box 123, Dunlap, TN 37327. At the same time you may, if you desire, request a copy of the Hicks – Waldron Debate on MDR, also without charge.