And Marries Another: Divorce and Remarriage in the Teaching of the New Testament

Rating:
Summary: Definitly worth the read....
Review: Craig Keener has written a well-documented yet easy to comprehend book on a very difficult and controversial issue: Divorce and Remarriage in the church. Although I'm not divorced myself, I have taken great interest in this topic over the past couple years (see my other reviews) as part of my seminary experience, and in seeing close friends who are divorced: this is an ethical topic that I believe every Christian must come to grips with.

The most important thing that I can say in review of this book is that the reader must understand that Keener does not believe in the doctrine of the perspicuity of scripture like say J. Carl Laney. Keener recognizes that scripture was written during the time of a certain culture, and that we need to understand that culture in order to see what scripture is really saying to our context: this is a basic hermeneutical practice that is important to observe as we read scripture. It is true that because of this we must work harder to interpret what's really being said in scripture, and therefore a review like Samuel Chapman's is certainly understandable, but really this is a necessary step in being faithful to the bible.

Keener's basic conclusion is that the bible is decidedly against divorce, but there are exceptions in extreme cases of broken marital vows, and that in these situations the innocent party is certainly free to remarry, and hold offices in the church. This he concludes from extensive study of the relevant scriptures passages and from relevant primary and secondary sources from the first century when the New Testament was written.

For a further and even more extensive look at divorce and remarriage and the issues around it, read Dr. David Instone-Brewer's book 'Divorce and Remarriage: the Social and Literary Context.'

Rating:
Summary: Superb Treatment of First-Century Divorce and Remarriage!
Review: Keener here provides a superb treatment of how the Biblical passages on divorce and remarriage would have impacted first century hearers. This book is NOT another summary of how Scriptural directives should be applied today. Instead, it is a look at these particular verses in their first-century, Jewish, Greek and Roman historical contexts.

Many readers may not agree with the conclusions Keener draws, but all readers will benefit from his presentation of first-century customs regarding divorce and remarriage. I highly recommend this work to teachers and preachers who want to research this controversial area of Christian teaching. It is definitely well-worth the price!

Rating:
Summary: Tony Campolo recommends this book? Uh-oh!
Review: The fact that an apostate like Tony Campolo recommends this book is enough for me to stay away from it!