LE3 .A278 2013

2013

Evans, Craig

Acadia University

Master of Arts

Masters

Theology

Acadia Divinity College

Both Paul and Matthew responded to the spiritual needs of their different faith communities in the first century. In regards to the marriage, divorce and remarriage Paul states in 1 Corinthians 7 that a Christian couple should neither divorce nor separate; however if it happens they should remain unmarried or else reconciled (vv. 10–11). To a mixed couple he said the believing spouse should not divorce the unbelieving spouse (vv. 12–13). He mentions the rationale why the believing spouse should remain with the unbelieving one if he or she agrees to remain also (vv. 14, 15c–16). Nonetheless if the unbelieving spouse decides to separate or divorce the believing one, the believer is not under bondage to the marriage covenant anymore (v. 15a–b). The Pauline treatment of the subject asks the questions: what does it mean not to be under bondage? Who is an unbeliever? Or even what does it mean to be an unbeliever? While in regards to relationship, Matthew provides steps for solving relationships in crisis to a troubled faith community that is either Jewish or predominantly so. In response he outlines a three level solution to solving the problem: the offended should confront the offender in love in order to solve their crisis; if it fails the offended should invite witnesses and with him meet with the offender; and finally, the faith community or Church should be involved in solving the problem. The three levels are put in place in order to restore to fellowship the sinning member of the community. However if he or she persists on his or her sinful state by refusing reconciliation and restoration, then the community of faith is mandated to cast him or her out of its fellowship. The Matthean text asks the questions: would a brother or sister in the faith community behave that way? Does his or her character or attitude portray that of a ‗true‘ disciple of Christ? vi There are several commentaries and studies on the above texts, which show that scholars hardly associate the Matthean pericope with marriage, divorce and remarriage while they also disagree over how the 1 Corinthians‘ text is understood particularly in respect to what it means that the believing spouse is not under bondage. Nevertheless Paul and Matthew leave us with important questions to answer; the ones of which interest this research is: does Paul‘s advice on marriage, divorce and remarriage in 1 Corinthians 7:10–16 and Jesus‘ teaching on discipline, reconciliation and restoration when someone offends or wrongs another in a faith community or Church in Matthew 18:15–20 relate in some way? And if yes, how might they relate? And if we do relate them, what insight might come out of it for some contemporary faith communities in respect to marriage, divorce and remarriage?

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:282