That the “traditional view” is not traditional within the churches of Christ is evident by those who laid the foundation of the American Restoration Movement. To name just two, Alexander Campbell, Walter Scott, and David Lipscomb did not hold to the “spousal adultery only” view that would come into vogue around 1940.

I once believed that brotherhood views on divorce and remarriage were a monolith of agreement. That has never been true. Pioneer Christians didn’t argue that some marriages must not be allowed to pollute the church. Nor were marriages considered matters of fellowship.

ALEXANDER CAMPBELL AND WALTER SCOTT

Campbell, key to the restoration movement, believed an abandoned spouse could remarry: