Christian and Divorced: What the Bible REALLY Says About Divorce & Remarriage - Paperback

by Eitan Bar (Author)

When it comes to divorce and remarriage, the fundamentalist Christian logic often goes something like this: You are never allowed to divorce-unless adultery (a term whose definition is hotly debated) has occurred. This means that physical, emotional, or any other form of abuse is not considered a valid reason for divorce:

"I don't think the Bible allows divorce and remarriage ever while the spouse is living. That's my radical, crazy, conservative, narrow, hard-nosed, very needed view in our divorce-happy culture." (Pastor John Piper)

"Without exception, divorce is a product of sin, and God hates it. He never commands it, endorses it or blesses it." (Pastor John MacArthur)

Similarly, when it comes to remarriage, the fundamentalist rule is that you are only free to remarry if your ex-spouse dies. This perspective often leads to victims of abuse being "punished" for escaping their abusers, damning them to solitary and without the opportunity to find love again-a conclusion that directly conflicts with the spirit of Genesis 2:18.

The fundamentalist divorce-remarriage theology is not only flawed and has damaged the lives of many individuals but is also rooted in a misinterpretation of what the Bible truly teaches about divorce and remarriage.

In reality, however, Moses' divorce permission and Jesus' teachings in the New Testament do not contradict. Unfortunately, the fundamentalist confusion surrounding divorce and remarriage stems from misunderstandings of ancient Jewish customs, like the AGUNAH, and a few flawed English Bible translations, such as the famous "God hates divorce," a mistranslation of the Hebrew Malachi 2:16. The fundamentalist misinterpretations, widely believed in various conservative Catholic and Protestant denominations in America, have been used to condemn divorce as an inexcusable sin, ignoring its original purpose: to protect those in the marriage!

This concise book explores what the Bible truly says about divorce and remarriage, uncovering the original Hebrew and Greek meanings often lost in translation. By diving deep into the cultural and biblical context, this book offers a fresh, liberating perspective that challenges popular misconceptions.

If you've been divorced, are going through a divorce, or are questioning whether God views you with anger or whether He allows remarriage, I promise this concise book will bring you clarity and freedom!

The book is divided into three main parts:

Part I: Divorce & Remarriage in the Old Testament
Part II: Divorce & Remarriage in the New Testament
Part III: Divorce & Remarriage According to RationalityAbout the author
Dr. Eitan Bar, a Jewish-Christian scholar with advanced Bible, apologetics, and theology degrees, is a unique combination. As a native Hebrew speaker and a Jewish Bible scholar, he combines his Jewish background with his Christian education and faith to offer a fresh perspective on various biblical topics.

• A Pastor's Recommendation:

"I've probably read a dozen books regarding the subject over the past few decades. Most prefer to focus on a traditional, "approved" interpretation of a handful of verses while ignoring the many others that simply don't fit with or contradict their paradigm. This one is the best I've read, reconciling all the verses and going into detail regarding the Hebrew & Greek words, along with the cultural conditions in both the Old and New Testaments. If you were to read just one book on the topic, I'd recommend this one." (James P. Balson Jr., Author and Pastor)