Remarriage After Divorce in Today's Church: 3 Views (Counterpoints: Church Life) [Paperback]

This is the 7th "Counterpoints" book I've read, and it's quite different from all the others in this series. All 3 authors see the Bible as granting Christians permission to divorce under certain circumstances. The 3 positions defended are:

Permission only to divorce, & never to remarry (Gordon Wenham)

Permission to remarry only in cases of adultery or desertion (William Heth); and

Permission to remarry for a variety of reasons. (Craig Keener)

This book is more of an introductory primer to the remarriage-after-divorce debate: the chapters are shorter (about 30 pages each, contrasted w/ 50-100 in earlier Counterpoints) and the responses 5-6 pages. Also the argumentation is more abridged and less technical: none of the authors refer to the original biblical languages much in defending their positions, other than a passing reference to the word _porneia_ ("adultery, sexual immorality") and its possible meanings in Matt. 19:9. Also, the authors frequently refer to other published works, not just in defense of thier own views, but as a substitute for defending their own views; at several points the contributors dismiss a defense of a certain point they are making by simply mentioning another author or book that defends it, and adding that the issue is treated more exhaustively there. This book, more than any of the other Counterpoints that I've read, left me wanting to read more from each of the contributors on the topic.

One benefit of this more cursory treatment is that the book is an easier and quicker read than earlier Counterpoints books. It also returns to the original practice (abandoned in recent years) of allowing each author to respond to the others' chapters, which are usually some of the most engaging parts of this series of books. The authors are also very respectful of each other in the responses, without any puffed egos, practically falling over themselves to show goodwill and appreciation to each other -- although the responses are occasionally redundant, repeating some of the main points that the authors make in their own chapters.

Another positive about this book is that it focuses exclusively on the issue of remarriage, which is sometimes eclipsed in similar books on this topic, by the topic of divorce itself. While it is certainly important to have a biblical understanding of divorce, it is no less important to have a biblical understanding of remarriage -- especially if (like me) you are a pastor who is asked to marry 2 individuals who have already been married before. So this book is more pastoral and practical than some of the Counterpoints books, as it addresses a topic that impacts the way people live and not just how they think.

Overall, this is a very good intitial look at the question of what the proper biblical response is to divorced Christians who want to remarry. Each author balances biblical and pastoral/ practical issues in trying to come up with an appropriate answer. Probably the biggest downside to this book is that it is unlikely to change anyone's opinion on the subject, due to (a) its brevity; and (b) a number of presuppositional questions which strongly affect how one interprets the biblical data. However, the editor (Mark Strauss) does a good job of listing these presuppositions in a final concluding chapter, which does not so much try to identify a "winner" in the debate so much as point out some of the key issues on which the debate hangs.

Up to a year or so ago, I had always thought divorce and remarriage was acceptable in the cases of unrepentant adultery or desertion. I would quote the exception clause in Matthew 19 as well as the one about an unbeliever leaving in 1 Corinthians 7. Yet, I had simply accepted them without a lot of thoughtful study or consideration. After some study, I came to the determination that remarriage while the spouse is alive is prohibited. I've held this viewpoint ever since.

This book has been very helpful for me. Gordon Wenham is one of the leading proponents of the No-Remarriage position. I've thought he has had a rock solid argument and agree(d?) with him wholeheartedly. William Heth, who had co-authored a book with Wenham, after many years as a no-remarriage advocate has now changed his stance on remarriage to the traditional Reformation/Protestant understanding of remarriage allowable in cases of unrepentant adultery and desertion by an unbelieving spouse--the position I had formerly accepted blindly. Heth changed his position because of many of the same questions & issues that I still feel uncomfortable with on this side of the remarriage/theological fence. Heth deals with texts; he doesn't run from them (so does Craig Keener...although I certainly don't agree with his permissive viewpoint of other circumstances than adultery and desertion). All three authors extensively deal with the many practical issues that result from divorce and remarriage. This book is very balanced in its approach and allows each position to be presented clearly and evenhandedly. While the book is short enough to start a debate and answer as well as create some questions, it is not complete enough in its format to fully convince or change one's mind. It's a great primer and exposure to the viewpoints, but not sufficient enough to fully examine them in detail. Then again, it is not designed to do that.

Whether or not remarriage is possible, I know that the Lord will be with me and either way it will be excellent--with a wife, or without one. Praise God for His sovereign goodness to work all things to our joy and His glory!

The book Remarriage After Divorce in Today's Church: 3 Views, is a conversation between Gordon Wenham, William Heth, and Craig Keener, with introductory and concluding notes by Mark Strauss. Strauss facilitates the conversation well by exploring the complexity of the issue, which tempers the reader from expecting a complete treatment by the authors. The three views are certainly not exhaustive, there could be at least one or two more views presented, but what the book sets out to do is be a catalyst for thought on a number of the issues ranging from Biblical theology to Pastoral care.

Each of the authors represents somewhat of a caricature of what are surely more nuanced views. This is helpful, though they all fail for the most part to address one critical issue, which is the role of the local Church, not just the pastor, in preventing and reacting to divorce. Each of the writers makes some note of their individual or pastoral responsibility in a divorce situation, real or hypothetical, but the Biblical theological view is never fully developed or explored. The main thrust of this review will be to highlight the unique contributions to the conversation by each author and a general critique of the overall book's absence of developing an ethic for the onlooking community in a divorce situation.

This book is basically 3 chapters, with each chapter featuring an argument and two rebuttals. The body of conversation is enveloped by an introduction and conclusion by the general editor, Mark Strauss, professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary. The arguments range from No Remarriage After Divorce (Wenham), Remarriage for Adultery or Desertion (Heth), and Remarriage for Adultery, Abuse, or Desertion (Keener). Two of the authors, Gordon Wenham, a senior professor of Old Testament at Cheltenham and Gloucester College, and William Heth, professor of New Testament at Taylor University, actually coauthored Jesus and Divorce, a book which takes the strict view of no remarriage for any reason. Heth later changed his view point to accept remarriage for adultery of desertion, which makes for an interesting dynamic in their conversations. The third contributor, Craig Keener, is the most distinct of the three, in the flavor of his writing, and his viewpoint. Keener is professor of Biblical Studies at Palmer Theological Seminary and associate minister at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. He and Heth share pleasantries in their treatment of each other's view. Keener stands out as the only one to show little restraint in his view. His focus is primarily pastoral/situational, and he and Wenham are very direct with each other.

Wenham is the first to write. Wenham's ethical approach is essentially teleological, as his view is rooted in Biblical exegesis, but hinges on assumed hermeneutical consequences for a society who interprets the Bible with an acceptance of remarriage. (p 42) Wenham does very little to address pastoral concerns other than calling for rigorous work to not allow marriages to break-up. The strength of his argument is its consistency. He calls for a performance of Christian obedience.

The second chapter is by far the strongest from the standpoint of exegesis. While Wenham takes exception with a number of Heth's scriptural proofs, most notably his interpretation of Malachi 2:16 (p 86), Heth's argument is balanced and deep in contemporary concern and Biblical exegesis, addressing Church discipline, Jewish divorce, the Pauline perspective, and the Gospel perspective. Heth does a lot of work in the First century with a synchronic study of divorce views amongst Jews (which all three address to some extent). Heth's work most notably helps to understand Matthew's comments on divorce considering that many believe Matthew's audience was Jewish. In Heth's view, Jewish divorce was synonymous to remarriage. (pp 67, 75) Perhaps the most striking point of credibility to Heth is not just his balance of pastoral sensitivity with exegesis, but the fact that he was willing to reverse his published view. Whether the reader agrees with Heth, his treatment is excellent, and ends with a very appropriate quote from Richard Hays' Moral Vision of the New Testament, which gives a good ethical summation of theology and practice. (p 82)

Keener begins with what Richard Hays would call synthesis task1 by evoking Proverbs (p. 110) and a hermeneutical lens of hyperbole and paradox in the Bible. Keener argues the divorce passages often make exception for the innocent party by invoking hyperbole language. He is unable to truly draw a link between phrasings such as, "hate your mother & father" (Luke 14:26) and remarriage exceptions in the NT, moving straight to the pastoral perspective. Keener seems very influenced by a teleological sympathy that assumes an innocent party. Because of this, he does not develop well his Biblical support and he is susceptible to Wenham's criticism, which says, Matthew 19 is not an example of hyperbole.

This book is a nice medium between a completely academic treatment and an invitation to the average reader into the potential Biblical outcomes of Divorce-Remarriage for Christians. However, none of the views really appreciate the human condition of sin across society and the Church. They mostly focus on individual acts of indiscretion. In his conclusion, Strauss addresses this oversight. He highlights the fact that most divorce contains some sin on both sides, therefore we cannot assume there should be one innocent party. Heth's rebuttal of Wenham brings up 1 Peter 3 (p 44), but as sarcastic call to suffer for doing right by what is assumed to be a completely innocent single mom. It is true that the Church ought not just forbid the divorced to remarry. Such action would be calloused and contradict the graceful spirit and mercy of the Gospel. But the solution is not to try and reconcile this one hypothetical with the Church's ethics. This presents a potential fourth view, which reconciles the pietistic interpretation of Wenham against all remarriage, with Keener's pastoral concern. Despite the lack of vision for the at-large Church community, this book is incredibly helpful to understand what is both a timeless and currently relevant issue and would contribute to both the local congregation and the academy.