Divorce in the Bible Essay

Marriage and the Bible: Understanding the Concept

In ancient Israel, marriage was largely a social construct arranged between parents for their children -- divorce was possible but largely for the very rich, and even the Old Testament presumption was that marriage was a lasting, lifelong covenant (Elwell 1996: 346). The custom of marriage was often that of a "family" affair, with the parents governing the union rather than the personal will of the participants (Elwell 1996: 740). Today, marriage is largely considered a matter of personal choice without theological significance, much less an analog to the relationship of humanity and God (Elwell 1996:743). Although some aspects of the modern conception of marriage may seem to have positive benefits, in terms of its stress upon the spiritual bonds between individuals rather than social needs, the Biblical concept of marriage as that of a permanent union that cannot be dissolved because of its spiritual as well as social and personal components has been lost in many respects. Love is more than a physical act (Elwell 1996: 708).

In modernity, the New Testament concept stresses the eternal and unalterable nature of marriage, in contrast to the modern view which sees marriage as a legal bond that can be dissolved with the proper protocols, if one or more of the two parties differ in the slightest respect.One of the most oft-quoted New Testament Biblical passages in regards to marriage is that of Paul's comment that it is "better to marry than to burn" (1 Corinthians 7:9). This implies that celibacy and a life completely focused on God is superior, but the marital context provides relief from ungoverned sexual urges. Unmarried sexuality is considered fornication, unlike sexual congress within a marital context (Elwell 1996: 462)

The Biblical teachings on divorce differ slightly between the Old and New Testaments: in some passages in Deuteronomy 21, it is suggested that divorce is allowed in circumstances such as uncleanliness (otherwise known as adultery) but the requirements are far more stringent than in the instance of today's laws (Elwell 26-27). In modern secular contexts, it is considered acceptable to divorce, especially in the context of what is seen as a youthful mistake, while the….....