Divorce: A Gift of God's Love

Rating:
Summary: Review by John H Stoll, Ph.D.
Review: "Divorce. A Gift of God's Love", Walter Callison, Leathers Publishing, 4500 College Blvd., Leawood, KS 66211.
In today's society divorce is common and accepted. In Christian circles it is just as common, but hardly accepted. The reason being that Matthew 5:32 (KJV) and Malachi 2:16 (KJV) speak against divorce as being prohibited by God. Callison argues logically and forcefully that this is not so. He marshals the language, the culture of the day, Moses' law, as well as the teaching of Jesus, to show that divorce and remarriage both are permitted of God.
Granted that this is not what God originally intended for marriage, as He ordained it, but also acknowledging the humanness of mankind and his sinfulness. Therefore, God made allowances for divorce and remarriage. The problem, as interpreted by many, using the King James Version of the Bible, is flawed in the translation. Callison argues from both the Greek and Hebrew that God hated a man "putting away" his wife, rather than giving her a "bill of divorcement". Therefore, though she was separated from him, she was still legally married. This is what Jesus detested, since if she remarried she was living in adultery. But, if a man gave her a "bill of divorcement" then she was legally divorced and now free to marry again. The mistranslation of Matthew 5:32 (KJV) in which in the last phrase the word "divorced" should read "put away" is what caused the problem among Christians.
Callison clarifies the whole problem with his clear and forceful argument, which is Biblically sound. He points out that other translations have made the correction in the Matthew passage, which should clarify any misunderstanding.
His conclusion is that God accepted divorce, when done properly according to the law, and freed up to remarry. This, as he so cogently points out, is the gift of God's love and grace. Properly understanding the biblical way should be a comfort to all Christians who are experiencing or have gone through divorce and have remarried, or are contemplating it.

This review was published in the ASK, inc., Minneapolis, MN NEWSLETTER (3rd Quarter, 2002) by John H. Stoll, Ph.D., Executive Director. Used by permission.

Rating:
Summary: Really, good an on the money
Review: "Divorce. A Gift of God's Love", Walter Callison, Leathers Publishing, 4500 College Blvd., Leawood, KS 66211.
In today's society divorce is common and accepted. In Christian circles it is just as common, but hardly accepted. The reason being that Matthew 5:32 (KJV) and Malachi 2:16 (KJV) speak against divorce as being prohibited by God. Callison argues logically and forcefully that this is not so. He marshals the language, the culture of the day, Moses' law, as well as the teaching of Jesus, to show that divorce and remarriage both are permitted of God.
Granted that this is not what God originally intended for marriage, as He ordained it, but also acknowledging the humanness of mankind and his sinfulness. Therefore, God made allowances for divorce and remarriage. The problem, as interpreted by many, using the King James Version of the Bible, is flawed in the translation. Callison argues from both the Greek and Hebrew that God hated a man "putting away" his wife, rather than giving her a "bill of divorcement". Therefore, though she was separated from him, she was still legally married. This is what Jesus detested, since if she remarried she was living in adultery. But, if a man gave her a "bill of divorcement" then she was legally divorced and now free to marry again. The mistranslation of Matthew 5:32 (KJV) in which in the last phrase the word "divorced" should read "put away" is what caused the problem among Christians.
Callison clarifies the whole problem with his clear and forceful argument, which is Biblically sound. He points out that other translations have made the correction in the Matthew passage, which should clarify any misunderstanding.
His conclusion is that God accepted divorce, when done properly according to the law, and freed up to remarry. This, as he so cogently points out, is the gift of God's love and grace. Properly understanding the biblical way should be a comfort to all Christians who are experiencing or have gone through divorce and have remarried, or are contemplating it.

This review was published in the ASK, inc., Minneapolis, MN NEWSLETTER (3rd Quarter, 2002) by John H. Stoll, Ph.D., Executive Director. Used by permission.

Rating:
Summary: Review by John H Stoll, Ph.D.
Review: "Divorce. A Gift of God's Love", Walter Callison, Leathers Publishing, 4500 College Blvd., Leawood, KS 66211.
In today's society divorce is common and accepted. In Christian circles it is just as common, but hardly accepted. The reason being that Matthew 5:32 (KJV) and Malachi 2:16 (KJV) speak against divorce as being prohibited by God. Callison argues logically and forcefully that this is not so. He marshals the language, the culture of the day, Moses' law, as well as the teaching of Jesus, to show that divorce and remarriage both are permitted of God.
Granted that this is not what God originally intended for marriage, as He ordained it, but also acknowledging the humanness of mankind and his sinfulness. Therefore, God made allowances for divorce and remarriage. The problem, as interpreted by many, using the King James Version of the Bible, is flawed in the translation. Callison argues from both the Greek and Hebrew that God hated a man "putting away" his wife, rather than giving her a "bill of divorcement". Therefore, though she was separated from him, she was still legally married. This is what Jesus detested, since if she remarried she was living in adultery. But, if a man gave her a "bill of divorcement" then she was legally divorced and now free to marry again. The mistranslation of Matthew 5:32 (KJV) in which in the last phrase the word "divorced" should read "put away" is what caused the problem among Christians.
Callison clarifies the whole problem with his clear and forceful argument, which is Biblically sound. He points out that other translations have made the correction in the Matthew passage, which should clarify any misunderstanding.
His conclusion is that God accepted divorce, when done properly according to the law, and freed up to remarry. This, as he so cogently points out, is the gift of God's love and grace. Properly understanding the biblical way should be a comfort to all Christians who are experiencing or have gone through divorce and have remarried, or are contemplating it.

This review was published in the ASK, inc., Minneapolis, MN NEWSLETTER (3rd Quarter, 2002) by John H. Stoll, Ph.D., Executive Director. Used by permission.

Rating:
Summary: Divorce, A Gift of God's Love
Review: I was touched by the real life senerios used in this book about what happens to divorced couples, especially those who have served God all their lives. God can and does still use those who are divorced. Divorce is not the unpardonable sin. God still loves you.
The explaination of the terminology used in the Bible is something that should be consided by all religions. The ability of one to serve God in a religious capacity because they have been divorced should be reconsidered by all religions.
I enjoyed reading about God's love for me. No matter what I have done, he has forgiven me if I only ask Him to.

Rating:
Summary: Really, good an on the money
Review: This fella knows of which he speaks.

The misstranslation he speaks of is so obvious and has been printed about quite a few times. Understanding the difference between 'putting away' and legal divorce makes a huge difference in understanding the teaching in the bible. Divorce is terrible but it is a rememdy to sin.

Fundamentalist preachers and teachers that argue to the negative are usually doing so with faulty ammunition, the verses they are using are misstranslated so the arguments they struggle to make are generally laughable. Ewxcept they aren't. They cause real world pain and suffering to otherwise good God fearing Christians who need the love of the church and God to heal. They are the modern day Pharisees.

The funny thing is, even with the misstranslation, MOST modern scholars are coming to understand that the traditional church teaching has been in error. One must wonder how many the church has damaged due to this. Common sense should dictate if a mate deserts the other for another, the one left behind should be able to pursue happiness. Jesus would say go and sin no more, live abundantly.

Sadly, the modern pharisee only condemns.