Customer Reviews

Jesus and Divorce

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

David Engelsma, author of another book on marriage, writes, "In a scholarly work that ought to have had the effect of a bombshell on the playground of American evangelicalism, William A. Heth and Gordon J. Wenham showed that Jesus and the apostles teach marriage as an unbreakable bond for life."

Today there are nearly an innumerable number of books on the subject of divorce and remarriage. The church today has largely gone with a view penned by Erasmus at the time of the Renaissance, which allows for divorce and remarriage after adultery.

In this book, Wenham and Heth do a great service for the church. They argue forcefully for a view of marriage that is permanent, which thus prohibits remarriage after divorce, so long as the former spouse is living.

Wenham and Heth first survey the views of the church fathers, showing how different the view of the early church (no remarriage) was compared to the modern more permissive stance. They then give a very fair representation to the "Erasmian" view but proceed to show its flaws, clearly and systematically. They spend a great deal of time (several chapters) dissecting exactly what Matthew's exception clause, "except for sexual immorality" really means. They do so in a fair and evenhanded fashion.

The book is very technical at places, but the authors do a good job at trying to make it accessible for ordinary readers. After studying at Cambridge University, Wenham did his PhD on the book of Deuteronomy. He has written a number of fine scholarly books on the Old Testament. He also was a translator of the English Standard Version. Thus, he is an able guide to take the reader through the relevant biblical passages on this subject.

Don't be fooled by the modern views that allow for remarriage. This book will clearly show you why those views compromise the bible and Jesus' teachings.

The authors review the history of the exegesis of the New Testament divorce texts, critique contemporary exegesis, and present their own. Quite comprehensive AND uncompromising (it is not uncommon these days for authors on a subject like this to bend the truth - sometimes unconsciously - in the name of compassion and have the effect - if not the intention - of enabling people to fulfill their sinful desires with a cleaner conscience; these authors are not guilty of this).
Cultural background is very fashionable these days. Yes, it does provide important insights, but it is not as determinative as some are inclined to think! Two things to keep in mind in this regard: 1) 2 Timothy 3:16 states that Scripture was inspired by God, not by the cultural enviroment; 2) It is impossible for any contemporary mortal to know for sure how something would have been understood 2,000 years ago (even with all the ancient literature and inscriptions that we have). This book is by serious scholars doing serious analysis (who do consider cultural background).

For any born again Christian contemplating a divorce who takes Bible Scripture seriously, this book is a "must-read." Not for the faint of heart or light reading. The book reads like a seminary textbook and is a bit challenging to follow, but the authors' carefully researched and analyzed conclusions are clear and concise Moreover, in today's world of "anything goes as long as it makes you happy," the authors' conclusions ought to make any Christ-centered, Scripture-based follower of Christ think very carefully about dividing that which God has put together. Its findings are likely to challenge and provoke the reader to comprehend more thoroughly Gods' design for lifelong marriage between one man and one woman for life and why He designed it this way.

If you are seeking the truth of God's will concerning divorce, this is a valuable tool in that quest. If you are seeking to have a book tickle your ears with what you may want to hear, this book is likely to sorely disappoint you.

I found this book well written for such a complex topic. My understanding of the tradition view of marriage verse the explosion of annulment, or divorce within liberal Christian denominations, much clearer since reading this book.

Too many pages repeating the same disdain for John Murray's exception clause opinion. The authors need a basic English major to write for them, due to their heavy "scholarly" style. Their early church fathers chapter is quite limited in scope, and does not appear honest.

They teach that divorce is possible, but not remarriage. This was NOT the way 1st century Jews and Gentiles would understand the relevant verses. For that, see David Instone-Brewer's "Divorce and Remarriage: The Social and Literary Context" which gives a comprehensive teaching in this sensitive area.