Divorce And Remarriage in the Church: Biblical Solutions for Pastoral Realities (Paperback)

by David Instone-Brewer (Author)
Key Phrases: rabbinic teaching, groundless divorce, invalid divorce, Old Testament, Any Cause, New Testament (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Divorce and remarriage are major pastoral issues facing every church. Yet when we turn to Scripture for guidance, we often hear conflicting messages about its teachings. Some say divorce is never allowed. Others say it is permitted under certain circumstances. Some say remarriage is never allowed, while others teach that it is permitted under certain circumstances. If divorce is only allowed for adultery and if remarriage is forbidden, then many believers are placed in a desperate situation. But what does the Bible really teach?

Making use of new research into the background literature of the Bible, David Instone-Brewer shows that biblical teaching is actually consistent and not subject to conflicting interpretations. A consistent and informed interpretation of the relevant texts shows that the original hearers of these teachings would understand that:

• Jesus and Paul emphasized that divorce should be avoided if at all possible.
• First-century Jewish men and women could get divorced for neglect or abuse as well as for adultery. Jesus did not reject these grounds and Paul specifically affirmed them.
• In the first century, remarriage was the right of every divorcee, and neither Jesus nor Paul taught otherwise.

David Instone-Brewer shows how, when properly understood, the New Testament provides faithful, realistic and wise guidance of crucial importance and practical help for the church today.

Features and Benefits

• Draws on new biblical research to reveal consistency in biblical teaching on divorce and remarriage.

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (November 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830833749
• ISBN-13: 978-0830833740
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #40,890 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #13 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Christian Living > Relationships > Divorce
  #33 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Relationships > Divorce
  #35 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Ministry & Church Leadership > Pastoral Counseling

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christians and Divorce, November 16, 2007

By	Glenn Chatfield "The Watchman Ministry" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This was an excellent book on the title topic. One of the problems I see facing the church today is so many divorces. Historically there have been two views about divorce among Christians: 1. No divorce whatever (which is flatly wrong biblically) and 2. Divorce only for sexual immorality. I have always wondered why God would force someone to stay married to an abusive spouse, and now the answer is made plain by the author of this book. His scholarly research and objective analysis proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that God has always permitted divorce from an abusive spouse. I highly recommend this book to Pastors, Biblical Counselors and anyone else dealing with marriage and divorce problems in the Church.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars superb explanation of some puzzling verses, November 16, 2006

By	Donald B. Johnson "jazzman2222" (Manassas, VA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an "easier to read" version of Dr. Instone-Brewer's comprehensive study titled "Divorce and Remarriage: The Social and Literary Context". There are some verses that can be and have been used to condemn Christians in this area, read this book and get the "inside scoop" about what those perplexing verses really meant to the original readers.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on the subject, July 13, 2007

By	Robert C. Rogers (Rincon, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews

This is the best book I have read on this subject. Instone-Brewer balances respect for the authority of the Bible, good historical background and scholarship with pastoral compassion. His arguments are consistent, logical, and biblical. Basically, he says that while the Bible discourages divorce, it is practical in allowing divorce and remarriage under certain grounds.