RESEARCH PLAN What is the significance of marriage and divorce based on the biblical perspectives of Paul and Jesus?
The sources I read on the topic of marriage and divorce were from the list of suggested tertiary sources provided for the course in the research guide. The sources were found in the Jerry Falwell Library
Website, Religion & Philosophy Research Guide: Encyclopedias & Dictionaries. The articles researched were found in the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, and the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters.
The Biblical view and today's views of marriage and divorce are often highly debated. Scholarly opinions and the world’s view of marriage and divorce have been an ongoing topic of controversy. Through my preliminary research, I have learned the Biblical importance of marriage as a means for procreation, nurture, unity, and companionship. God's intent for marriage is an exclusive commitment a union between “one man and one woman”
(
1 Corinthians 7:2) symbolic of a relationship and union with Christ. The main issues that scholars discuss on the topic of marriage and divorce are the misunderstandings of marriage and divorce surrounding forbidden marriages, adultery, polygamy, and the
permanent nature of marriage as well as the misunderstanding of acceptable Biblical grounds for divorce. Throughout Church History problems within marriages and divorce within Christian families have been increasingly on the rise. This is an ongoing problem in today’s culture as less value is placed on the importance of marriage as an institution sanctioned by God with divorce being a more common occurrence today.
The main view that conflicts with one another is the allowance of divorce for reasons stated in (Matthew 19:9 New International Version) “And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” Other views reject divorce and maintain that marriage is indissoluble for any reason and divorce symbolically severs our union with Christ.
