The Divorce Myth: A Biblical Examination of Divorce and Remarriage

by J. Carl Laney

The commonly asked question today is, "Should divorced people remarry?" With great compassion and warmth, Dr. Laney maintains that the more fundamental question with which Christ dealt is, "Should married people be divorced?" His purpose is to draw the church up short against the runaway divorce epidemic with a theology of marriage.Challenging the church on the subject of divorce and remarriage, the author carefully builds evidence from scripture and from cultural and historical data for a no-divorce/remarriage position. Not everyone will agree with Laney, but it deserves the careful attention of all who are genuinely concerned about the divorce issue.

Genres: Marriage, Theology, Divorce

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top-notch scholarship. Dr. Laney advances the minority view - which in my mind, is the biblical view concerning divorce and remarriage.

[Greg Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say, this was an unexpected find. Mr. Laney does an excellent job of explaining the biblical view of marriage. This is not the prevalent or predominant view, but it is, arguably, the most biblical. The biblical standard is difficult, which is typical. We were not called to an easy way of life. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Married, unmarried, divorced, considering divorce, remarried, considering remarriage, pastors, elders, deacons, councilors, teachers, and anyone else interested in the biblical view of marriage. This book is a good reminder that God's standards are higher than our own.

[Brandon Vaughan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot of good information in this book, and I agree with much of what Laney said. However I thought his interpretation of Porneia as meaning incestuous marriages in Matthew 5 and 19 was insane. I felt like his argumentation was sorely lacking, and as a result has placed an undue burden on certain people. I appreciate a serious attitude toward marriage, but to think that Adultery is an easy way out is a bit silly.

[Donald B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laney chose the high road where pleasing God over pleasing Self brings joy, even in spousal persecution if need be. I'm thankful that he left no stone unturned, and examined ALL that God has to say on the subject.
Ultimately though, it's a personal thing...God and each of us. We're individually accountable on that Day.

[Daniel Warne - True Myth Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

While not a popular view, I find that I agree with the broad strokes of Laney's interpretation of the relevant texts about divorce. Personally, I am more convinced by the betrothal interpretation of Matthew 19:9 than the view he prefers, but other than that minor difference I commend this book as a counter-cultural (even with the church) viewpoint worthy of serious consideration.

[Navin Karri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though I understand the author is meaning well, he doesn’t consider the repercussions of abusive and destroying marriages. If a partner isn’t Christ like, marriage wouldn’t stand, and from what I understand God doesn’t keep us in dangerous situations.

[Sean D'entremont · Rating 3 out of 5]

many inaccurate conclusions that might seem biblical but in fact are not. there are some good ideas, but overall a lot of self contradictory ideas that don't hold up under scrutiny.

[G Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I resonate deeply with Carl Laney's heart in writing this book... and I wish what he said carried more weight... but the sad truth, the sad reality is that divorce is real and it happens... and more to the point, God did divorce his unfaithful bride in Jeremiah 3 and he did sentence her to death (cf Deut 27&28 with the events of AD70). But then again there is Hosea and Gomer. In the end though, divorce is the result of a hard heart. Always so! Piper argues this brilliantly and concisely in _This Momentary Marriage_, but countless other do too. I am divorced. Not by choice. Yet this is the reality in which I live. I think Laney's argument does carry some weight, for people who walk with God -- Nothing is beyond forgiveness -- yet at the same time, the whole reason divorce happens is because people aren't walking with God (at least not fully), their hearts get hard and the end result is divorce. So... should Christians divorce... no... but they do. This book seems to me to be too idealistic - that is not enough pastoral realism. That said, I do agree that those who get divorced (regardless of the reason) should NOT get remarried, even if they "put away", that is biblicaly "put to death" their spouse. One flesh, is still one flesh, even is we want to rewrite our marriage vows. Marriage is as much God's actions toward us as it is our actions toward him... he joins us together as much as we commit to being together. What he joins should never be torn apart... and our vows should be honored - even to a hurt (Ps 15). Good book overall. Not great. Not bad either. Worth reading even though there are better books on the issue. I believe that Gordon Wenham has the best material on this subject. Laney is a good supplement along with Adams and Murray too.