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

by Eitan Bar (Author)

JUST RELEASED: A Brand New 2024 Release!
Christian interpretations frequently overlook the Jewish cultural context of New Testament teachings and the background of the Old Testament, particularly noticeable in many Christian pastors' teachings on the controversial issue of divorce and remarriage in the Bible.

Imagine a world where Moses' divorce permissions and Jesus' teachings in the New Testament aren't conflicting. Envision realizing that a lack of understanding of ancient laws, customs, and beliefs, such as the issue of the 'Agunah' - the very topic Jesus and the Pharisees frequently debated - has twisted the fundamentalist, often self-contradictory view of divorce and remarriage. And what if I told you that part of this confusion also stems from problematic modern Bible translations?

You've likely encountered the notion that Jesus only condoned divorce in cases of adultery but not in other instances, such as abusive or toxic relationships. Or perhaps you've heard that "God hates divorce" - a poor mistranslation of Malachi 2:16. These and other verses, often taken out of their proper context, have been weaponized to demonize divorce as an inexcusable sin. In reality, divorce was intended to protect the well-being of the individuals in the marriage.

This concise, straightforward book navigates the intricate biblical perspectives on the sensitive subjects of divorce and remarriage, offering a counterargument to the popular Christian Fundamentalism's view on divorce. We're not merely brushing over the topic; we're delving into the detailed intricacies of pertinent Bible verses, grounding them in both biblical and societal contexts. Prepare for a revealing journey into the original Hebrew and Greek meanings of these texts, which will offer you a deeper, non-Westernized, unfiltered understanding. Get ready to challenge and redefine your perceptions of what the Bible says about divorce!

Upon completing this book, you'll be equipped with the intellectual tools needed to both understand and refute common misconceptions about the Bible's stance on divorce and remarriage. This includes the ability to critically evaluate and challenge the classic perspective of Christian fundamentalism, as illustrated by quotes like the following:

"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)

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 authorDr. 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.

This book is part of Dr. Bar's series of "micro-books."

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)