Marriage and Divorce: The New Testament Teaching

A detailed treatment of the biblical teaching about marriage, sex, marital problems, divorce and remarriage. A major focus is the much-disputed question of divorce and remarriage. Dr Powers examiners in careful detail all the different views about this issue and concludes that we must follow the teachings of Jesus and of Paul in putting the emphasis where they put it: upon the separation or splitting apart of the marriage relationship. That is what is wrong; that is what must not be allowed to happen. If that is prevented, then clearly the problem of divorce will not arise.

But Moses, Jesus and Paul all recognized that - although it is forbidden and is sinful - a couple can separate and a marriage break down. When because of human sin and weakness a broken marriage occurs, we help no-one by saying that in God's eyes the marriage is continuing even though it has totally and completely vanished from view. Our task is to acknowledge that sin has destroyed that marriage, and help the people to pick up the pieces and come to true penitence and find reconciliation if it is possibile.

If reconciliation fails, let us proclaim the forgiveness and healing of the Lord, and the certainty of his grace in time of need, and the possibility of a fresh start at rebuilding broken lives, helping them to work out and to do whatever then is the best for them in the circumstances. In many cases, this will include a second marriage.