I think I’ve mentioned before that I’ve been reading again a marvelous old work by Walter S. Chandler, an attorney of the New York Bar, called “The Trial of Jesus From a Lawyer’s Standpoint”. The treatise is a two-volume work written, or copyrighted in 1908.

Part of the book deals with the Graeco-Roman Social Life about the time of Christ’s life. It is eye-opening and sobering about the background at that time in history, not just from a Christian lawyer’s standpoint, but from a world history view.

One particular paragraph just really caught my attention in relation to what is now transpiring in America. I’ll just quote this for you and leave it you your own understanding to make an interpretation.

“The family life is the unit of the social system. The loosening of the domestic ties is the beginning of the dissolution of the state; and whatever weakens the nuptial bonds, tends to destroy the moral fiber of society. The degradation of women and the destruction of domestic purity were the first signs of decay in Roman life. In the early ages of the republic, marriage was regarded not only as a contract, but as a sacrament as well. Conubial fidelity was sacredly maintained. (Here some examples were given.) To such an extent were the marital relations venerated by the early Romans that we are assured by Dionysius that five hundred and twenty years had passed before a single divorce, was granted.” (Vol. 2, page 236).

“But whatever the cause, the marriage tie was so easily severed during the latter years of the republic, that divorce was granted on the slightest pretext. (more examples).” (page 237).

Of course you’ve been taught about the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire even in High School. For even more on that you can see “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,” by Edward Gibbon, if you’d like.