Second Chance: Biblical Blueprints for Divorce and Remarriage

Biblical Blueprint Series

by Ray R. Sutton

Does the Bible have answers for the heart-wrenching problems of divorce and remarriage? Yes. Absolutely. One out of every two marriages in the United States now ends in divorce. Almost half of the children born today will be living in a broken home before they reach the age of eighteen. Forty million Americans have been married more than once, and the number keep increasing. This trend has now touched every sector of our society - including the Church. Most pastors and theologians have been caught off guard. And as a result, they have resorted to extremism - liberal permissiveness on the one hand, austere legalism on the other. They have been unable to genuinely help those caught in the traumas of divorce and remarriage. They don't have answers. But the Bible does. In this volume of the groundbreaking Biblical Blueprints Series, Rev. Ray Sutton outlines those answers specifically. He avoids the extremes by providing clear, balanced instruction from Scripture. The Bible tells us what to do - when, where, how, and why. It provides us with a "blueprint" for faithfulness in the midst of divorce and remarriage. Second Chance lays out that "blueprint" simply, practically, an understandably. It offers hope and help for the hurting.

Genres: Theology, Marriage, Christian, Family

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Ray R. Sutton is Bishop Coadjutor in the Diocese of Mid-America of the Reformed Episcopal Church in the Anglican Church in North America. He is also Rector of the Church of the Holy Communion in Dallas, Texas, president and professor of Scripture and Theology at Cranmer Theological House in Houston, Texas and headmaster of Holy Communion Christian Academy (formerly Bent Tree Episcopal School). Sutton was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and moved to Dallas at age thirteen.

He is currently head of the Ecumenical Relations Committee of the Anglican Church of North America.

Reviews

[Jared Lovell · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a very unfortunate book. Poorly written and argued. Most of the footnotes in the book refer to other works by the author. The perspective put forward in this text is almost entirely out of continuity with what every branch of the church has taught on the subject throughout history. Too often, the concept of covenant is used in this book as a way to get around the plain meaning of the text of Scripture rather than to elucidate and apply it. The biblical prohibition against remarriage is interpreted as the mere "covenantal death" of the spouse. As long as one spouse can claim that the marriage covenant is dead, than that spouse can claim the right to remarry. Even more problematic is the claim that the New Covenant in Scripture requires remarriage for divorced spouses (pp. 106-107) as well as the claim that the Fall ended Adam and Eve's marriage in the garden. Such preposterous claims without reference to any source material whatsoever or any precedent for such an interpretation in the history of the church make this book disgraceful.

[Andrew Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid biblical and covenantal study of divorce and remarriage. It clearly explains the connection between the marriage covenant and the covenant between God and his people and gives practical steps and examples to deal with many difficult situations that arise in the church. A must read for all in the church but especially elders and leaders in the church.

[Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A thoughtful and helpful contribution. At times very insightful, but at other times less compelling. The parts you agree with will help you, and the parts you disagree with will get you thinking and sharpen you.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating perspective, very worthwhile.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would definitely recommend the book. I found it to be a heavy read; but very worthwhile. For those worried that you will walk away judgmental of others after reading the book; I didn’t find this is the case. I feel I have a better understanding of God’s intention for marriage. I also feel better equipped to offer Biblical insights to friends struggling with the question of divorce.

While I really liked this book in many ways, I found that I was also frustrated by it. It was written in the mid ‘80s and definitely needs to be updated. I say this not that the principles needs to be modernized, but that some of the content should be updated and/or more thoroughly explained. When reading through concepts and foundational principles I constantly found myself wishing this book was written by an author instead of an academic. There is definitely a need for this book and it is solidly based on Biblical principles that are well referenced. The book addresses marriage and the marriage covenant. It well defines what a covenant is, how it is entered, how it may be broken, how it is ended, what differentiates it from other contracts or pledges, and the means by which the covenant can be restored. While this was important data, it is heavy. I definitely felt like I was back in college for this read; but this time without a professor.

Like I alluded before, I feel like this book is much needed, and I grew because I read it. That being said it did not answer all of my questions, and when I walked away, I felt the longing for a sequel. The book is broken into logical sections that included Biblical discussions on the following; the definition of covenants, how covenants can be broken, terms of a covenant and penalties for broken covenants, the Church’s responsibility regarding broken covenants, the government’s responsibility regarding broken covenants, and the subject of re-marriage. Where I felt the book could have gone into greater depth in a few areas. I would have liked to read more on the rights and responsibilities of victims of divorce. What I mean by this are those individuals who have entered into a marriage covenant and whose spouse files for divorce with unsound Biblical grounds. In this case I assume that while the covenant wasn’t broken before the civil divorce that once the divorce is final the covenant would be broken technically on the grounds of abandonment. But again, I am left wondering if I understood correctly.

Additionally the author touches briefly on the responsibility the church plays in divorce. I don’t know that I know of any divorces (with or without Biblical grounds) that have been presented or rendered through the church. I don’t even know if Catholics who get divorced, go through the Church. The author definitely presents Biblical proof that the church can and should be involved in the actuating of divorce certificates. I realized that I have taken it for granted that the Church in involved in the marriage (or covenant), but I never stopped to ask, if that is the case, why is the Church not involved in the dissolution of the marriage? This last chapter should have been a book unto itself. The author briefly touches the subject, but I was left wondering what happened in history to change precedence? Did or does the church give up its responsibility to the state? If so, why, and when did this happen? What caused the change? I felt like this book opened up a bunch of questions I have never asked on the function and “governance” of the Church.

I definitely recommend this book.

[G Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

A descent book... not great but not bad. Definitely worth reading. A bit dated in case studies and the bibliography is rather weak, but still the theology is pretty good - or at least provocative enough and definitely worth reading for that alone.
Sutton firmly establishes divorce as "biblical" at least from the vantage point of God's interactions with Israel. Anyone who says divorce is unbiblical needs to engage biblical history... God did divorce his unfaithful bride in Jeremiah 3 and he did sentence her to death (cf Deut 27&28 with the events of AD70). BUT then again (and it is a BIG BUT - there is Hosea and Gomer... and of course the modern day church :)
While I ultimately disagree with his remarriage position - I think if one is hell bent on it, then he does provide some helpful guidance and counsel as to how to execute such an endeavor. But that is a whole other topic all together.

[Jennifer Wortham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Chance is a must read for those who are contemplating divorce, hurting from divorce, or are considering remarriage. Ray Sutton lays out the Biblical principles of divorce and remarriage through the Covenant model. This book really helped me. It will help you and/or your loved ones as well.