By Augustina Ojenikoh Harrison, Esq.
The intersection of faith and legal practice can often be a challenging terrain, especially when one is a Christian lawyer specializing in divorce cases. It is a profession that requires one to reconcile personal religious convictions with the demands of justice and the realities of human relationships.
Many people assume that being a Christian should automatically preclude one from handling divorce cases, citing biblical teachings on the sanctity of marriage.
However, much like a doctor who is brought a lifeless body and must perform their professional duty before certifying the individual as deceased, a divorce attorney is tasked with ensuring that justice, fairness, and due process prevail in cases where marriages have already deteriorated beyond repair.
The Christian Perspective on Marriage and Divorce
Christianity upholds marriage as a sacred covenant, designed to reflect the love and unity between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:22-33).
The Bible expresses strong views on divorce, with Jesus Himself stating, “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6, KJV).
However, the same passage acknowledges that Moses permitted divorce due to the hardness of human hearts (Matthew 19:8), recognizing that, in some cases, separation may become necessary.
As a Christian, I believe in the sanctity of marriage and its divine purpose. I encourage reconciliation, counseling, and mediation wherever possible.
However, I also recognize that some marriages become toxic, abusive, or irreparably broken, necessitating legal intervention. Just as Jesus showed compassion to the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11), our faith must lead us to approach individuals facing marital crises with love, not condemnation.
The Role of the Divorce Attorney: A Parallel with the Doctor and a Dead Body
Consider the plight of a medical doctor brought a lifeless body. Despite knowing the patient is likely deceased, the doctor must conduct a professional assessment—checking for vital signs, performing necessary medical procedures, and ultimately certifying the death. It is not the doctor’s role to dictate life and death but to diagnose and act accordingly.
In the same way, a divorce attorney does not “kill” a marriage but assesses whether it is legally and functionally viable. Clients do not seek a divorce lawyer to destroy their marriage; they often come after years of suffering, emotional detachment, and failed attempts at reconciliation. By the time they arrive, many have already exhausted every means to salvage the relationship.
Like the doctor, the divorce attorney has to evaluate the situation, protect the rights of the parties involved, and ensure a just and equitable resolution.
Balancing Faith with Legal Duty
Being a Christian divorce attorney means recognizing that while God’s ideal is for marriages to last, the reality of sin and human frailty sometimes necessitates dissolution.
My faith does not permit me to impose my personal beliefs on clients; rather, it calls me to act with integrity, wisdom, and compassion.
1. Promoting Mediation and Reconciliation
Before filing for divorce, I explore mediation where there is a glimmer of hope and counselling options with my clients.
Many times, legal proceedings can be avoided if underlying conflicts are addressed through proper dialogue. I take seriously the biblical mandate to be a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9) and encourage reconciliation where possible.
2. Advocating for Justice and Protection
Some marriages are plagued by domestic violence, emotional abuse, and gross neglect. In such cases, the lawyer’s role extends beyond legal representation to advocacy for the oppressed. Proverbs 31:8-9 instructs us to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” Ensuring that a battered spouse or vulnerable children are legally protected is a moral duty, not a contradiction of faith.
3. Handling Each Case with Grace and Sensitivity
Divorce is often accompanied by pain, betrayal, and emotional devastation. As a Christian attorney, I strive to treat each case with empathy, avoiding unnecessary hostility and focusing on fair settlements. Colossians 4:6 reminds us: “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt.” A lawyer’s approach can either fuel bitterness or foster dignity and healing.
A Call to Purposeful Lawyering
Being a Christian and a divorce attorney is not a contradiction, but a call to serve with wisdom and compassion.
Just as a doctor must declare death when there is no life, a lawyer must facilitate legal closure when a marriage is beyond repair.
The goal is not to celebrate divorce, but to ensure justice, fairness, and the well-being of those involved.
In the end, our calling as Christian legal practitioners is to uphold righteousness while extending mercy, understanding that our role is not to force outcomes, but to provide guidance and legal solutions with a heart of integrity.
It is in this balance that we truly fulfil both our faith and our professional duty.
TINARIS WORLD 