To many, the New Testaments teaching on divorce and remarriage seems both impractical and unfair. The plain meaning of the texts allows for divorce only in cases of adultery or desertion, and it does not permit remarriage until the death of ones former spouse. But are these proscriptions the final word for Christians? Are we reading them correctly today? This new book shows that looking at the biblical texts on divorce and remarriage in light of the first-century Jewish and Graeco-Roman world reveals that the original audience of the New Testament heard these teachings differently. Through a careful exploration of the background literature of the Old Testament, the ancient Near East, and especially ancient Judaism, David Instone-Brewer constructs a biblical picture of divorce and remarriage that is wider in scope and directly relevant to modern relationships. Enhanced with pastoral advice on how to apply the biblical teaching in todays context, this volume will be a valuable resource for anyone seeking serious answers about married life.
