Short essay 2 (original) (raw)

A Soteriological Interpretation of the Matthean Divorce Exception Clauses

www.academia.edu, 2017

In this paper, I put forward a soteriological interpretation for the two “exception clauses” found in Christ’s teaching on divorce in the Gospel of Matthew. This interpretation, unlike many other interpretations that have been advanced for these clauses, is fully consistent with Christ’s and the Apostle Paul’s teaching on divorce. I will argue that both Jesus and the Apostle Paul taught that references to “divorce” in the scriptures, including Old Testament scriptures, means “separation”, not the dissolution of marriage as is often asserted by evangelical theologians, and that this interpretation is the only way that all the scriptures that reference divorce can be cogently harmonised. The interpretation builds on the work of a minority of theologians who argue that the word “divorce” in scripture, means “separation”: a temporary discontinuation of married life, not its dissolution. This understanding is based fundamentally on a covenantal view of marriage; a relationship that mirrors the permanent and unbreakable marriage covenant between God and His people described in the Old Testament and evidenced by Christ’s marriage like relationship with the Church (Eph. 5:22-32). The interpretation is also consistent with the metaphor illustrating God’s dealings with His “adulterous wife” – Israel, as described throughout the Old Testament, but particularly in the prophets. My thesis is that there is a soteriological reason for the Matthean “exception clauses” which has hitherto been overlooked. The “exception clauses” provide a justification for the temporary separation that God experienced when the Word made flesh (John 1:1-17) was separated from the Father at the crucifixion, and instead of providing a “lawful” reason to terminate marriage, as is often asserted, they in fact reinforce the permanence of the marriage covenant (Jer. 31:31–34) as described in scripture, revealing important truths about God’s plan of salvation for mankind. This paper is divided into two parts. In the first part I demonstrate that Jesus and the Apostle Paul unambiguously taught the indissolubility of the marriage covenant and that this teaching is fully consistent with Old Testament scripture. The second part of this paper describes the implications that flow from this teaching. In particular, I demonstrate that the “exception clauses” both affirm the indissolubility of the marriage covenant and reveal important truths about God’s plan of salvation for mankind.

Old Testament Principles Relating to Divorce and Remarriage

2001

In the beginning, God created man and woman for each other. When God presented Eve to Adam, Adam said:“This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh. (Gen 2:23-24; RSV) Thus, in a perfect world, a perfect and immortal couple were joined by God in an indissoluble social and spiritual union represented by the metaphor “one flesh.” God’s plan was eternal heterosexual monogamy between human beings. Note the aspects of this plan: (1) permanent, (2) heterosexual, (3) monogamous, and (4) between human beings. No law is stated to outline God’s plan. He simply created it so, knowing it was good

Divorce, Remarriage, & The Exception Clause

Building upon the foundational principle laid out in "A Biblical Understanding of Marriage" regarding the true nature of marriage in God's eyes, this companion paper explores the ramifications for the topics of divorce and remarriage. In what cases should a Christian seek a divorce, if ever? Doesn't the "exception clause" in Matthew 19 allow for remarriage of the innocent spouse in the event of adultery? The permanence of the marriage covenant is a recurring theme in God's Word. This is stated explicitly in several passages, but can also be found within the concept of a Biblical covenant itself. Furthermore, a thorough and methodical investigation into the exception clause, its historical roots, and its many proposed interpretations, reveals the only explanation that fits all of the evidence: remarriage (before the death of one's rightful spouse) is just another word for adultery -- except when the marriage in question was illegitimate in the first place.