DIVORCE IN DEUTERONOMY 22:13-21 AND ITS CAUSES AMONG ECWA MEMBERS IN JOS METROPOLIS

Abstract

In Old Testament times, up to the time of Christ, one of the most contending issues was that of divorce. The Teachers of the law had to ask Jesus in Matthew 19:1-9 concerning the reasons for one to divorce his wife. The issue of divorce was not only contentious in Old Testament times, but also in ECWA, especially in Jos metropolis, to say the least, more complicated now than then. This paper, therefore, seeks to evaluate divorce in the light of Deuteronomy 22:13-21 by highlighting the grounds for divorce then and now as it affects ECWA members in Jos metropolis. Two approaches are utilized, viz, the historical-grammatical and theological approaches. The problem is why the prevalence of divorce in spite despite biblical teachings that teach otherwise. Findings from the text and interviews conducted show that sterility, physical abuse, marriage in falsehood and deceit, are among many reasons why divorce is prevalent. Suggestions for finding the solutions to the problem of divorce, which include the need for proper premarital counselling and so on, are given.