Posted in theology

Beth Moore’s divorced daughter Melissa was married this weekend

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

There are 3 or 4 blogs I’ve written over the years, which remain in the top 5 searched and read. The one I did about two divorces, Summer White and Melissa Moore is one of those that continues to generate high interest, for some reason. I wrote it seven years ago in 2016 but here in 2023 the essay still remains highly read.

Two divorce cases: Summer White and Melissa Moore

Both women compared in my essay are daughters of a more famous Christian teacher, Summer being the daughter of Dr. James White, and Melissa being the daughter of Beth Moore. Both women say they are believers. Both women went through a divorce at close to the same time. Only one did it biblically, the other did it unbliblically.

Divorce is a serious event in a believer’s life. There are few biblical reasons one may be unsinfully divorced, and a myriad of reasons one would be sinfully separated from a husband. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 7:10,

But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife is not to leave her husband

In my research for the 2016 essay, I obtained first hand statements, primary documents, and court documents. None of it was gossip. It was all from the women’s own mouth (or pen) or from unimpeachable sources like the court, which are public documents. All of it was public.

Summer divorced well, praying, being patient, attempting reconciliation, counseling, submitting to her elders and finally separating for biblical reasons with support from her overseers.

Melissa did not appear to divorce well. Her basis for her divorce was stated in court and sworn to, was “discord or conflict of personalities” with no hope of reconciliation due to irreconcilable differences. Here is the snippet from the court document: click for larger

Of course there is always more to any person’s story, but the sworn basis for her divorce was personality conflict and that is what we go forward on. Melissa was the initiator, by the way, contradicting the command in 1 Corinthians 7:10. Unlike Summer, who was also initiator but her reasons were biblical. Melissa’s public basis for her divorce, weren’t.

Resource: Divorce and Remarriage

Resource: Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage

The danger with an unbiblical divorce is displeasing God and sinning. Another danger is the woman’s remarrying. There are only two ‘allowable’ causes for divorce, sexual sin or desertion. A woman who divorced unbiblically and remarries is now considered an adulteress, since the original marriage’s dissolution was not sanctioned biblically by God. (Luke 16:18)

Melissa Moore seems now to be in just such a state. Her own words follow:

July 2013:

February 2023:

August 2023:

November 2023:

Beth Moore exulted in her daughter’s joy. I am glad for their joy, and glad they seem to have a close and loving relationship. In fact, Melissa is an employee at her mother’s organization Living Proof (Salary $146,350). Melissa writes curricula and Bible studies with her mother. I am glad they are happy.

However, this happiness is not in the Lord, which makes all the difference. It’s one thing to unbiblically divorce, but compounding nd complicating the sin is remarriage. Melissa is now considered an adulteress according to Mark 10:11-12 and will have severe consequences on Judgment Day, as all unrepentant sin will be addressed. (If her former husband has passed away then it makes a difference to the scenario…)

“The Bible also gives a word of caution to anyone who is considering marriage to a divorcee. If the divorce was not on biblical grounds and there is still a responsibility to reconcile, the person who marries the divorcee is considered an adulterer.” (Mark 10:12)”. Source

One would hope that Melissa had repented of her appearing to divorce unbiblically. Such repentance should be public, since she is a public figure and has written about this publicly. But I have not seen such a statement.

So, why am I writing this?

1. If a ‘Bible’ teacher does not submit to the scriptures, then does she have the credibility to teach the scriptures? No. On the other hand, if a Bible teacher or theologian does submit to scripture, and continues to do so even when it is hardest or most embarrassing, it enhances their credibility as a teacher.
2. Divorce is a serious event in a believer’s life, though in today’s world both secular and Christian, it is made light of (i.e. How many church disciplines have you heard of for unbiblical divorce?),
3. Living Proof is a huge and continually influential ministry, yet the lifestyle of both women who run it are unbiblical. This will permeate their “studies” and material like gangrene (2 Timothy 2:17-18, 1 Timothy 4:16). See .
4. Marriage is supposed to be a picture of the union of Christ with the Church- “The relationship of Christ and the church, the gospel, is all about the marriage of a bride and groom; we, Christians, are the bride and Christ is the groom. This union of Christ and the church is the real marriage and our marriages are to serve as that portrait, that image of the ultimate reality.” Challies. Abandoning one’s spouse for unbiblical reasons or for a better prospect destroys this picture. When one is a celebrity Bible teacher in the public eye, it magnifies- and normalizes- the destruction.

If you, dear reader, are considering a divorce or even a separation from your husband, please slow down and seek counsel from trusted overseers. Casting away what God has ordained is a serious business. I’ve had women say to me that their divorce was OK because they were “unhappy and God wants me to be happy”. I’ve had women come to me for advice on separation and when I quote 1 Corinthians 7:10 and say a woman may not separate from her husband, become angry at me for bringing it up. I’ve seen biblical divorces and unbiblical divorces, even a case of church discipline over an unbiblical one. The pastor cried when he reported his unfortunate turn of events. It’s serious, women!

Please take marriage and potential divorce biblically, avoid Beth Moore’s ministry because it’s laced with unbiblical lives which taint the biblical ‘teachings’. If you are in a good marriage, rejoice that the Lord has united one man and one woman into one flesh forever!

Unknown's avatar

Author:

Christian writer and Georgia teacher's aide who loves Jesus, a quiet life, art, beauty, and children.

20 thoughts on “Beth Moore’s divorced daughter Melissa was married this weekend”

  1. I just came across this and I am appalled that you are blogging about another woman’s lack of Christianity. Who are you to decide on anything like that? Perhaps Melissa decided to be the Christian woman who did not mention whatever the reasons for divorce were. Perhaps they had spent 5 years in abuse or infidelity or any number of other valid reasons for divorce. She was being the Jesus follower. You, on the other hand, are using your platform to gossip and spread unkindness and possibly misinformation. Spend some time in the Bible comparing the amount of verses about the tongue and gossip vs. the reasons for divorce.

    Very disappointing,
    Kay Hook

    Like

    Reply

    1. I’m not surprised that you’re shocked, SHOCKED, I’d write about a false teacher, define what gossip is and isn’t, and use scripture to support my contentions. People with zero discernment often engage in high hysteria and name calling attacks instead of doing what the Bible calls you to do: reason together. You embarrass yourself.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      2. I’m sorry, I don’t know the name of her new husband, and I know nothing about him including whether he is a believer or not. Many people claim to believe, but as we see with Melissa, she rebels against scripture in many areas, including publicly stating her ecumenicalism, and identifying with egalitarianism, being a rebel against marriage vows, and more. One cannot be certain Melissa is a believer.

        Here is Pastor Gabe at WWUTT with a 90-second overview of Melissa “What You Need to Know About Melissa Moore”

        Liked by 2 people

    2. So judgmental! Unless you’ve talked to Melissa you have no idea what caused the divorce. Based on the scripture you used, you think that a woman who is abused or her children abused that she should not leave her husband?

      Like

      Reply

      1. Yes, we should hate what God hates and love what God loves. He hates divorce.

        You didn’t even read the piece, I think. I obtained the publicly available court papers and learned the reason sworn and attested to for the divorce. “Irreconcilable differences and personality conflicts” was the reason.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. I think Melissa is pro homosexual. Why would beth have her work for her ministry? Is Beth pro homosexual? What is going on with these women?

    Like

    Reply

    1. Unless you have some kind of source for the statement that Melissa a is pro-homosexual, the statement is gossip. It would stand to reason, she is an avowed ecumenical and avowed liberal woke, but as for her stand on the sin of homosexuality, I personally have not seen one way or another.

      Why would Beth have her work with her? Beth Moore is a false teacher with a long track record of rebellion against scripture, both in doctrine and lifestyle. It’s her daughter, that’s why. Beth doesn’t stand on scripture, so…she sees no problem with including Melissa in her organization.

      Is Beth Pro-homosexual? Yes. We went thru the wringer with her a few years ago when I and 5 other ladies posted an Open Letter asking Beth clearly if she thought homosexuality was a sin. She ignored the question for weeks, then when the uproar became too damaging for her, issued a wishy washy statement non-answer. It was discovered in the tumult though, she had written against homosexuality, citing it as a ‘bondage’ in one of her books, but in the kindle version some time later, deleted half the chapter. When asked about THIS, she said her writing “had gone beyond scripture”. HUH?

      Like

      Reply

    1. How so? Please be specific, if nothing else, to win your sister, (Matthew 18:15), or to edify and give grace tot he hearers, (Ephesians 4:29). Copy/Paste what about this essay in your view does not exalt Jesus. Use scripture, too, like I did.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  4. It is noted that “Anonymous” is quick to chastise you openly, but is not in like-kind quick to give her name. If one is so convicted, surely the depth of their anonymous conviction is rendered as moot.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Sometimes irreconcilable differences is because maybe the person had a p$rn problem (which is biblical grounds for divorce. It is adultery) and they are sparing the person the embarrassment. You have no clue what she has suffered. She is justified in the eyes of the Lord to remarry. I know the Word and have done a lot of living! I want my speech to be graceful and seasoned with salt. I just think we need to be careful here.

    Like

    Reply

    1. You just breezed right by the scriptural verses regarding the ONLY allowances for divorce and made up your own. No, she is not justified in the eyes of the Lord, because the sworn-to oath made before a judge was personality conflict. That is not a reason for divorce that the Lord deems acceptable. Remember, a court document is an oath. Think of what the Lord has said about oaths, vows, and promises.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  6. In court documents, “irreconcilable differences” and “conflicts of personality” are the words chosen even when adultery is there. In Houston (Harris County) “adultery” isn’t even an option to select for reason for divorce. A friend of mine divorced in that county – her husband abused her physically, emotionally, had multiple affairs and left her and her children while he married a stripper. Her divorce papers said “Irreconcilable differences.”

    Like

    Reply

  7. How in the world can you be so harsh and judgmental and call yourself a Christian? You have absolutely zero idea what she went through. And even so we are all sinners and fall short. You have no right to speak on something you know nothing about. I pray that people do not get caught up in your web of slander and unkindness.

    Like

    Reply

    1. It is not unkind to say sin is sin. Unbiblical divorce is sin.

      It’s not slander when using court records as the source. It’s the ACTUAL document, sworn and testified to. It’s actually the highest secular primary document there is and having sworn an oath to truth, the exact *opposite* of slander. You should probably look up the definition of slander in a dictionary and learn it before embarrassing yourself further by using the word incorrectly.

      Divorcing for personal reasons is something God hates. There are only two reasons he would allow it and not count it as sin, (but still hate it, Malachi 2:16, “I hate divorce)- and it’s adultery or abandonment (Matthew 5:32; 19:9; 1 Corinthians 7:15). In fact, Melissa is remarried now, so adding to her sin of unbiblical divorce now God counts her as an adulteress (Matthew 5:32). Unless she repents, her eternal future looks…hot.

      As for you, dear commenter, isn’t it just as “unkind” to yell at a fellow believer and call her names and impugn her reputation? Why isn’t your speech seasoned with grace, as Colossians 4:6 says?

      Finally, I’d gently suggest studying the Bible more on God’s standards for divorce, again, so as not to embarrass yourself further by displaying ignorance of what you speak.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Pingback: That’s a Wrap! My year on Spotify and WordPress

  9. I divorced my ex husband for irreconcilable differences after counseling with our pastor and a licensed therapist. But my pastor at the time never gave us any Bible passages emphasizing the severity of the sin. Your blog is a necessary and valuable warning.

    Like

    Reply

Thank you for reading The End Time!