MARITAL IMAGERY IN THE BIBLE:
An Exploration of Genesis 2:24 and its
Significance for the Understanding of New
Testament Divorce and Remarriage Teaching
By Colin Hamer
Apostolos Publishing. 312 pages. £16.99
ISBN 978 1 910 942 253
Under what circumstances, if any, is divorce permitted by the Bible?
There is a range of views from the absolutists (including Roman Catholicism and evangelicals such as Andrew Cornes), through the Westminster Standards (John Murray et al, allowing divorce in cases of adultery and desertion), as well as some broader interpretations such as those of David Instone-Brewer. Back in 2006 Colin Hamer produced a stimulating little volume (which I reviewed for en) on the subject of divorce. Now he has completed a PhD on the subject of marriage and divorce, and this book is the result of his in-depth study. In short, Hamer maintains that biblical teaching on marriage is rooted in Genesis 2:24, which clearly indicates the establishment of a ‘one flesh’ relationship based on a volitional, conditional covenant relationship between man and wife. Such a relationship always included the possibility of divorce and remarriage. If we incline towards an absolutist position, it is because we are thinking of a more literal ‘one flesh’ relationship (unique to Adam and Eve Gen.2:23), rooted in coitus rather than covenant. We are importing mystical categories to sexual union which are not intended in the text of Scripture.
