Reviews Divorce and Remarriage by David Instone-Brewer

"I-B holds that the background knowledge and assumptions of a first-century reader were already forgotten by the second century, leading to misunderstanding of the biblical texts by the early church fathers." RWK Currents in Theology 6- Mission April 2004

Full review:
	I-B argues that Jesus and Paul accepted the OT grounds for divorce in cases of adultery, neglect, or abuse and allowed for marriage after a valid divorce. Jesus distanced himself from the position of Hillel, who allowed divorces on any grounds, and he discouraged divorce even for valid grounds, but may have allowed divorce in cases involving lack of material or emotional support (note that Jesus does not countermand Exod 21:10-11). Paul thought that a believer could divorce and remarry if the unbelieving partner called an end to the marriage. I-B holds that the background knowledge and assumptions of a first-century reader were already forgotten by the second century, leading to misunderstanding of the biblical texts by the early church fathers. The author offers many pastoral suggestions and provides additional materials at his Web site. www.Instone-Brewer.com, RWK
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