In 2015, Michael Pearl published another of his error-filled books meant to deceive people and lead them astray. The title of this book was The Bible on Divorce and Remarriage. He writes:
"There seems to be a conflict in Scripture regarding divorce and remarriage. In the beginning God established the order of marriage--one man and one woman as long as they both live (Matthew 19:4-), no exceptions mentioned. Yet the Law of Moses clearly permits the man to divorce his wife and remarry simply because she finds "no favour in his eyes" or he "hates her" (Deuteronomy 24:1-3). In contradiction to the Law, Jesus declares that the only reason one can divorce and remarry is in response to adultery. But then the Apostle Paul asserts that one may remarry if s/he is "put away" (abandoned, divorced) by one's unbelieving partner--again adding a condition of permission that Jesus did not mention." p.9-10
There is no conflict except that which men create from their perverse hearts. Michael Pearl claims that Moses "clearly permits" divorce, when Moses did no such thing. You see, this is the problem you arrive at when you are a staunch KJV-onlyist and fail to do your studies adequately, correctly, and properly. Moses regulated the divorce that was already occurring, so that it prevented uncleanness. Concerning Deuteronomy 24:1-4, Hebrew scholars Keil and Delitzsch wrote:
"In these verses ... divorce is not established as a right; all that is done is, that in case of a divorce a reunion with the divorced wife is forbidden, if in the meantime she had married another man, even though the second husband had also put her away, or had died. The four verses form a period, in which vv. 1-3 are the clauses of the protasis, which describe the matter treated about; and v. 4 contains the apodasis, with the law concerning the point in question."
Michael Pearl claims that "Jesus declares that the only reason one can divorce and remarry is in response to adultery." Clearly Michael Pearl has difficulty reading and understanding the simple, plain text of the Bible, because Jesus declares no such thing! Observe:
"Everyone who divorces his wife . . . makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery." Matthew 5:32
"Whoever divorces his wife . . . and marries another woman commits adultery." Matthew 19:9
"Whoever divorces his wive and marries another woman commits adultery against her; and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery." Mark 10:11-12
"Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery." Luke 16:18
Where in the timeline of events is adultery taking place according to these four texts? Is it before or after the divorce? It is after! In other words, those who remarry are said to be committing adultery. Quite the opposite of what Michael Pearl is attempting to assert. If he knew his Bible in the least maybe he would not make such colossal blunders. To finish addressing this erroneous paragraph, I will simply mention the fact that Paul did not give permission to remarry.
"Paul bolstered his revision of both the Law and the words of Christ by saying his view was based on the "Spirit of God" (1 Corinthians 7:40). Paul "ordained" this remarriage doctrine "in all churches (1 Corinthians 7:17)." p.10
Paul never made any such claims. This is eisegesis at its best, folks. Something Michael Pearl is able to do in spades. Paul's direction, or what he "ordained," "in all the churches" was that men and women walk in the manner in which God has called them. How do we know this? Because he addresses it in verse 18.
In verse 40, all Paul says is, "and I think that I also have the Spirit of God," after stating that he believed a widow would be happier if she remained single rather than remarrying as the law of death allowed her. All Paul is saying is, "I think I know as much of the mind of the Holy Spirit of God, as either those who teach you otherwise, or who may have opinions contrary to mine in this case" (Poole), and "Whatever your false apostles may think of me, I think, and have reason to know, that I have the Spirit of God" (Henry). In other words, Paul thinks it would be best for widows and widowers to remain unmarried, and this, he tells them, was by inspiration of the Spirit. Period. Nothing more, nothing less.
"[Most Christians who remarry] are not able to justify their remarriage from Scripture. This work should remedy that gap in biblical knowledge." p.10
That is quite the boast on Michael Pearl's part, despite the fact that his assertions and claims are false. The reason why most Christians who remarry are not able to justify their remarriage from Scripture is because there is no justification for their remarriage in Scripture.
"So we have Moses granting divorce even though it is contrary to creation. Then Christ contradicts Moses, and finally Paul contradicts both the Law and Christ. How do we reconcile the contradictions? By believing that all the words of God are inspired and carry equal weight, and then "rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15)." p.10
Of course someone this far disconnected from God and the Scriptures would make such assumptions taken from false conclusions drawn from assumptions. Sadly, Michael Pearl does not know what "dividing the word of truth" looks like. As we discussed, Moses did not "grant" divorce; he regulated it to prevent uncleanness. Jesus never contradicted Moses; He said that one man and one woman are to join and become one flesh for life, and when questioned with Moses, He explained why Moses regulated divorce and then directed his audience back to creation. Paul did not contradict either the Law or Christ. Paul makes it very clear that God has said that if you divorce, you are to either be reconciled to your spouse or to remain single for the rest of your life. Contrary to the teachings of those perverse in heart, Paul would not have then turned around and contradicted what God had said by saying, "But I say..."
And now it's time for a shameless plug... If you truly and honestly want to know what the Bible has to say on divorce and remarriage, I suggest picking up a copy of my book, The Bible on Divorce and Remarriage. Not only does it contain more Bible than does Michael Pearl's, but it also contains actual exegesis of the biblical texts. If all that blank wasted marginal space were removed and proper margins used, Michael's 96-page book would be reduced to about a 50-page book.