The Beliefs of John Robert Stevens

Stevens believed that marriage was a divinely instituted relationship between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:18-25). He believed that husbands and wives should be interdependent, and submit one to another as unto Christ (Ephesians 5:21). They should be unselfish towards one another, and willing to serve one another in love. Stevens believed the relationship between Jesus Christ and the Church is an excellent example of the greater spiritual purpose of marriage (Ephesians 5:26–27).

This is what marriage is about. Marriage is not for perfect people, but it can be a wonderful process of maturity for people who have a deep love and commitment to each other. Just as Christ redeems the Church to Himself, so marriage becomes a process of maturity, leading us into a sacrificial life.¹

Stevens encouraged couples to include their pastors and elders in the process of their courtship, drawing on the wisdom of God to help guide the relationship. He believed that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16) and warned that marriage must be an equal yoke with both people dedicated in the same way to the Lord (II Corinthians 6:14). Stevens was concerned that husbands and wives not be in conflict or competition with the other’s relationship with the Lord.

While Stevens himself suffered the sin of divorce, he refused to compromise on any scriptural principle where divorce and remarriage were concerned. He believed that divorce was a sin; however when people divorced, he required—as with all other sin—that one must repent and seek the Lord for forgiveness (1 John 1:9). He believed that through prayer and repentance God in His abundant grace was able to give the believer a new beginning (1 John 2:1-2).

Stevens anticipated great joy to be a part of every marriage and believed that couples should not get married unless they were deeply in love. “I don’t think people should ever get married unless they absolutely delight in each other.”² He believed that those who truly loved each other would gladly serve one another, and their inter-submission would bring forth God’s will in each individual.

…we’re to come to that place before God where we love one another and we create for one another the atmosphere in which the perfect will of God can come forth. This is a new concept, but it’s scriptural; it’s so true. It’s the way that God teaches us to be helpers of one another’s faith. We’re not raised up to destroy one another; we’re raised up to create one another in an atmosphere of dedication and faith to the Lord.³

The term marriage appears 695 times in Stevens’ written materials.
The term divorce appears 97 times in Stevens’ written materials.