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Title: The Divorce Myth by J. Carl Laney ISBN: 0-87123-892-6 Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Pub. Date: 01 June, 1981 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $9.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.17 (6 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Interesting perspective....but not without clear problems
Comment: J. Carl Laney has written an important work here in this oft-sited book. In fact, the reason I decided to read this book at all was because it was quoted so many times in book, articles, etc. that I've read on this topic. Laney certainly makes some good arguments, but I also see some serious problems.
Laney starts out with a theology of marriage which is in general correct. However, he takes the leap when he claims that in regards to Genesis 2:24, "...the married couple becomes one in a mystical, spiritual unity" (p. 21). This he draws from the Hebrew root DBQ (transliterated Dabaq, translated something like 'cleaves' (KJV, etc.,) or 'clings' (JPS Tanakh)) in Genesis 2:24 which means "fig. of loyalty, affection etc., with idea of physical proximity retained..." (Brown, Driver, Briggs; Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament). The word has several variations to it's meaning, but in general, it's a close bond. However, nowhere in lexical evidence does the word equate with anything that implies a complete permanence. One variation of the word even means 'soldering' (BDB), but something that is soldered can most certainly be unsoldered. Jesus recognized this fact when he commanded that, "What God has joined, no one ought separate." To that, one must realize, "No moral teaching prohibits impossible actions" (Clark and Rakestraw, "Readings In Christian Ethics; 1996, p. 227). Based on his interpretation of this word (DBQ), Laney believes in the indissoluble union of a marriage. This then becomes the point of reference in regards to divorce for all of Laney's book.
When Laney starts talking about divorce, one of the first texts that he discusses is the ever-imporant-in-the-divorce-debate passage in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 about the Mosaic concession for a divorced woman to remarry. While he correctly states that this was "designed to protect the rejected wife and give her certain safeguard" (p.30), and gives three reasons, it forces him (although he doesn't admit it) to conclude that God gave divine approval for a certain sin: adultery through remarriage. Later he tried to cover up for this difficulty by claiming that this is a part of the 'progress of revelation' (p.109ff), and that it wasn't until the NT that God suddenly revealed that all remarriage is sinful. This is about as nonsensical as saying, "God used to expressly allow for men to lust after women, but when the NT finally came round, we learned different." If the marriage union is now indissoluble, it must have always been indissoluble. Furthermore, in Deut. 24:4, the first husband is recognized as the 'former' (KJV, NKJV, NAS, RSV, ASV, et. al.) husband, and if indeed they were still actually married, the woman OUGHT to go back to him, and not be denied that opportunity. This is not the case.
Approaching the famous 'exception' clause, Laney believes (and gives fairly decent support for) the idea that 'porneia' is talking about "[m]arriage within the prohibited relationships of Leviticus 18" (p.71), i.e., incestuous marriage. The problem with this? Both of the major schools at the time of Christ in this debate, the school of Shammai and the school of Hillel, who were most likely present when Jesus was asked the question about the debate, interpret porneia to mean adultery. Laney gives five flashy reasons why be believes that porneia cannot mean 'adultery,' but he fails to mention that this was the interpretation of the rabbinical schools at this time, and all the people aware of the debate. Therefore to reach Laney's conclusions, one must decide that Jesus was speaking a different language then the people, which is clearly ludicrous, especially since Laney believes in 'the doctrine of the perspicuity of scripture' that the bible is clearly written (p. 51). Wouldn't then Jesus himself at the time of the question speak in the language of the people? Or were they supposed to wait until the NT was written to finally see the clear picture?
In general, I believe that although I disagree with what much of what Laney says, that he does maintain a high level of compassion for those affected, especially near the end of the book. He believes that if people have remarried in ignorance of these biblical commands, that they should stay together but repent of the sin. He also believes that as soon as this repentance takes place, "the couple should be restored to full fellowship with the members of the church" (p. 125). However, when it comes to the role of elder/deacon, Laney again, I believe, goes off track. He starts out by pointing out that Leviticus states that the priests were not allowed to marry a divorced woman, which indeed it does (Lev. 21:7,14). He then wants to transfer this over to the New Testament in regards to qualifications to elders and deacons. The problem with this is that Laney is lifting one qualification out of a group of Levitical qualifications, which include not being blind or lame (vs. 18), not having a broken foot or hand (vs. 19) Regardless, Laney equates this Levitical qualification with the elder/deacon qualifications. His evaluation of the 'one woman man' of I Timothy 3:2, et. al., has some good points to it, but again, I believe that at points Laney goes overboard. Space prevents a discussion of this here - read it for yourself and decide.
I would recommend reading Samuel Chapman's review of this book in tandem with mine, as he hits on other important points that I haven't touched in this review.
Rating: 1
Summary: beware this scripture twister
Comment: This is an EXTREMELY condemning word to those in abusive marriages. Basically, he teaches no divorce and no remarriage for any reason. He ended up here because he believes in the 'perpescuity of Scripture' which means that what the Bible says is clear to a reader. These divorce verses are anything but clear as we have lost the 1st century context. He does do a good job of identifying some of the puzzles, but solves them like a Gentile, not a Hebrew. (Hint: The writers of the NT (except for Luke) were Hebrews.) For what the Bible really teaches about marriage and divorce, see David Instone-Brewer "Divorce and Remarriage: The Social and Literary Context" which shows how 1st century Jews would understand the words of Jesus and how Jews and Gentiles would understand the words of Paul.
Rating: 5
Summary: Laney removes not the ancient landmark
Comment: Laney's book "The Divorce Myth" is a must-read for the Pastor and Missionary and makes for an excellent text book for Bible College-level family classes.
As always, there are many 'modern day' prophets who have attempted to add 'new light' upon the area of divorce and remarriage amongst the redeemed. But Laney aptly produces an expansive & exhaustive study on the topic of the scriptural marriage covenant and reveals the error of the modernists promoting divorce & remarriage. His conclusions are sound, well reasoned, simply to understand & apply and proves once again the necessity of 'rightly dividing the word of truth'.
The kingdom of Christ deserves such straight forward and uncompromising approach to scripture.
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Title: Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage in the Bible by Jay E. Adams ISBN: 0310511119 Publisher: Zondervan Publishing Company Pub. Date: 02 June, 1986 List Price(USD): $10.99 |
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Title: Jesus and Divorce by Gordon Wenham, William Heth ISBN: 1842271318 Publisher: Authentic Paternoster Press Pub. Date: 01 December, 1984 List Price(USD): $11.99 |
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Title: Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible: The Social and Literary Context by David Instone-Brewer ISBN: 0802849431 Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company Pub. Date: 01 June, 2002 List Price(USD): $26.00 |
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Title: Divorce and Remarriage: Four Christian Views by Wayne H. House ISBN: 0830812830 Publisher: InterVarsity Press Pub. Date: 01 April, 1990 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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Title: Divorce and Remarriage: What Does the Bible Really Say? by Ralph Woodrow ISBN: 0916938069 Publisher: Ralph Woodrow Pub. Date: 01 June, 1982 List Price(USD): $7.00 |
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