Jesus, Divorce, and Remarriage: In Their Historical Setting

by Gordon J. Wenham

Overview

What did Jesus really say about divorce and remarriage?

Challenging the evangelical near-consensus that Jesus permitted divorce and remarriage in certain circumstances, Gordon Wenham argues that while Jesus permitted separation in cases of sexual immorality, he did not permit divorce and remarriage.

Presenting a revisitation and expansion of several decades of thought and debate on the topic, Wenham builds his case from a close reading of Jesus' teaching in the Gospels, showing how his teaching pushed against the culture of his day. In addition, Wenham brings in insights from ancient Near Eastern marriage laws, the Old Testament, the writings of Paul, and the earliest Christian interpreters of the Gospel divorce texts.

Readers will be challenged by a careful biblical argument that provides a counterpoint to the majority view. No study on divorce and remarriage will be complete without considering Jesus, Divorce, and Remarriage.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781683593287
Publisher:	Lexham Press
Publication date:	01/15/2020
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Gordon J. Wenham (PhD, Cambridge University) is Professor Emeritus of Old Testament Studies at the University of Gloucestershire. He has written or contributed to many books, including Story as Torah, Remarriage after Divorce in Today's Church: 3 Views, and (with William Heth) Jesus and Divorce. He has also written commentaries on Genesis (Word Biblical Commentary), Leviticus (New International Commentary on the Old Testament), and Numbers (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries).

Editorial Reviews

This book should be essential reading for any Christian concerned about divorce. Although hard to swallow today, Gordon Wenham bases his message, “Jesus did not allow remarriage after divorce,” upon years of study of ancient marriage practices and careful exegesis of the Gospel passages. He shows it was also the early church’s view. As in his earlier works, he is aware of the pastoral implications, but, as an experienced biblical scholar, concentrates upon the meaning of Scripture. —Alan Millard, Rankin Professor Emeritus of Hebrew and Ancient Semitic Languages, University of Liverpool

This book should be essential reading for any Christian concerned about divorce. Although hard to swallow today, Gordon Wenham bases his message, “Jesus did not allow remarriage after divorce,” upon years of study of ancient marriage practices and careful exegesis of the Gospel passages. He shows it was also the early church’s view. As in his earlier works, he is aware of the pastoral implications, but, as an experienced biblical scholar, concentrates upon the meaning of Scripture. —Alan Millard, Rankin Professor Emeritus of Hebrew and Ancient Semitic Languages, University of Liverpool

From the Publisher