Why no mention of pedophilia in the Bible?
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Let me begin by saying that I am definitely NOT in favor of pedophilia.
In fact, my ex-wife was sexually molested by her own father repeatedly between the ages of 5 and 6 years old, and I've personally witnessed how she is still majorly psychologically damaged by the same at age 52...even if she doesn't presently recognize it herself (she's recognized it in the past...now I believe that she's hiding behind a wall that's she erected to block those memories out).
Along these same lines, I used to date a woman who was sexually molested by one of her mother's boyfriends at age 4, and she wound up extremely psychologically damaged as well. In her case, she ultimately fell into a life of prostitution for many years until becoming a Christian later on in life. Even as a Christian, the psychological damage is still a major issue.
With these disclaimers out of the way, I also admit that I've often wondered about something FROM GOD'S PERSPECTIVE.
This "something" has to do with a girl's menstrual cycle which normally begins when she's around 12 years old (in some cases, it starts earlier than this), and a boy hitting puberty usually around the same age or even earlier. In other words, it seems that God designed children to be ready for sexual activity at a young age.
Having said this, again, I am definitely NOT in favor of pedophilia or of an adult having sexual relations with a young child.
At the same time, however, I'm just wondering if God didn't originally see fit that young boys and girls could start marrying EACH OTHER at an early age.
In fact, my ex-wife was sexually molested by her own father repeatedly between the ages of 5 and 6 years old, and I've personally witnessed how she is still majorly psychologically damaged by the same at age 52...even if she doesn't presently recognize it herself (she's recognized it in the past...now I believe that she's hiding behind a wall that's she erected to block those memories out).
Along these same lines, I used to date a woman who was sexually molested by one of her mother's boyfriends at age 4, and she wound up extremely psychologically damaged as well. In her case, she ultimately fell into a life of prostitution for many years until becoming a Christian later on in life. Even as a Christian, the psychological damage is still a major issue.
With these disclaimers out of the way, I also admit that I've often wondered about something FROM GOD'S PERSPECTIVE.
This "something" has to do with a girl's menstrual cycle which normally begins when she's around 12 years old (in some cases, it starts earlier than this), and a boy hitting puberty usually around the same age or even earlier. In other words, it seems that God designed children to be ready for sexual activity at a young age.
Having said this, again, I am definitely NOT in favor of pedophilia or of an adult having sexual relations with a young child.
At the same time, however, I'm just wondering if God didn't originally see fit that young boys and girls could start marrying EACH OTHER at an early age.
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It is in the Bible for anything that offends another person is a sin and love is the fulfilling of the law so if it is not mentioned in the Bible it should be clear to Christians.
The Bible says that creation testifies that there is a higher power and of his attributes which one of them is love for He provided food, and the means to make clothing, and shelter, and testify to the 2 greatest laws love God and love people so it should be clear to the world that it is wrong.
Also our conscience bears witness what is right and wrong.
It is sexual immorality which the Bible says sexual immorality is wrong.
If the Bible says that it is a sin for a man and a woman to have sex that is not married then of course it would be wrong to be a pedophile.
God only covers sex between adults that is sexually immoral and only a man and a woman that is married can have sex so it is is surely wrong for an adult to have sex with a child or a child to have sex with a child.
The Bible does not have to mention that sex with a child is wrong for only a man and a woman that is married can have sex so what that is saying is any other sex is wrong.
Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
The Bible says that creation testifies that there is a higher power and of his attributes which one of them is love for He provided food, and the means to make clothing, and shelter, and testify to the 2 greatest laws love God and love people so it should be clear to the world that it is wrong.
Also our conscience bears witness what is right and wrong.
It is sexual immorality which the Bible says sexual immorality is wrong.
If the Bible says that it is a sin for a man and a woman to have sex that is not married then of course it would be wrong to be a pedophile.
God only covers sex between adults that is sexually immoral and only a man and a woman that is married can have sex so it is is surely wrong for an adult to have sex with a child or a child to have sex with a child.
The Bible does not have to mention that sex with a child is wrong for only a man and a woman that is married can have sex so what that is saying is any other sex is wrong.
Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
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Good article:
There is no direct mention of pedophilia in the Bible. But, there are numerous biblical principles that definitely apply to this sin. One such principle is the Bible’s view of the sin of fornication. The word translated “fornication” has the same idea in both the Hebrew and the Greek. The Greek word is porneia, from which we get the English words porno and pornography. The word in Scripture refers to any illicit sexual activity, and this would have to include the abhorrent acts of a pedophile—including the gathering and trading of obscene or indecent pictures of young children. People who use this type of pornography usually graduate from looking to actually doing, bringing great harm to children. Fornication is among the “lusts of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16–21) and among the evil things that come from the heart of a man apart from God (Mark 7:21–23).
Pedophiles share the characteristic of being “without natural affection” (Romans 1:31; 2 Timothy 3:2). The phrase “without natural affection” is translated from one Greek word, which means “inhuman, unloving, and unsociable.” One without natural affection acts in ways that are against the social norm. This would certainly describe a pedophile.
In addition, there is a principle found in Jesus’ words about children. Jesus used a child to teach His disciples that childlike faith is necessary for entrance into the kingdom of heaven. At the same time, He said that the Father has concern for all of His “little ones” (Matthew 18:1–14). In that passage, Jesus says, “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6, KJV). The word offend in the Greek means “to cause one to stumble, to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall, to entice to sin, or to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey.”
These definitions of the word offend can easily be applied to the actions of a pedophile. Of course, the principle of not harming a child can be applied to a wide range of child-abusive actions, and Matthew 18:10 makes the case against anyone who would bring any type of harm to a child.
There is no direct mention of pedophilia in the Bible. But, there are numerous biblical principles that definitely apply to this sin. One such principle is the Bible’s view of the sin of fornication. The word translated “fornication” has the same idea in both the Hebrew and the Greek. The Greek word is porneia, from which we get the English words porno and pornography. The word in Scripture refers to any illicit sexual activity, and this would have to include the abhorrent acts of a pedophile—including the gathering and trading of obscene or indecent pictures of young children. People who use this type of pornography usually graduate from looking to actually doing, bringing great harm to children. Fornication is among the “lusts of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16–21) and among the evil things that come from the heart of a man apart from God (Mark 7:21–23).
Pedophiles share the characteristic of being “without natural affection” (Romans 1:31; 2 Timothy 3:2). The phrase “without natural affection” is translated from one Greek word, which means “inhuman, unloving, and unsociable.” One without natural affection acts in ways that are against the social norm. This would certainly describe a pedophile.
In addition, there is a principle found in Jesus’ words about children. Jesus used a child to teach His disciples that childlike faith is necessary for entrance into the kingdom of heaven. At the same time, He said that the Father has concern for all of His “little ones” (Matthew 18:1–14). In that passage, Jesus says, “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6, KJV). The word offend in the Greek means “to cause one to stumble, to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall, to entice to sin, or to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey.”
These definitions of the word offend can easily be applied to the actions of a pedophile. Of course, the principle of not harming a child can be applied to a wide range of child-abusive actions, and Matthew 18:10 makes the case against anyone who would bring any type of harm to a child.
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Girls got married shortly after they got their period during Biblical times. The age of marriage varied more for boys/men. I recently read a historical fiction book called Red Tent, written by a Jewish woman scholar. In that book Jacob became attracted to Rachel even before she reached puberty, but agreed to wait until she reached puberty. However as we all know he was tricked into marrying Leah so he waited quite a bit longer for Rachel.
One thing to note is that age of puberty keeps decreasing lower and lower over time (nowadays 8 or 9 is not too uncommon for girls). I do not believe this was God's intention.
I think the issue of pedophila goes beyond just the mere age of the child, it has more to do with taking away a child's innocence. The Bible talks about not harming the innocent, or being stumbling blocks. Pedophila is also rape.
One thing to note is that age of puberty keeps decreasing lower and lower over time (nowadays 8 or 9 is not too uncommon for girls). I do not believe this was God's intention.
I think the issue of pedophila goes beyond just the mere age of the child, it has more to do with taking away a child's innocence. The Bible talks about not harming the innocent, or being stumbling blocks. Pedophila is also rape.
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While it doesn't mention pedophlia specifically, there will be terrible punishments for those who harm children or lead them to sin: Matthew 18:6 6"If anyone causes one of these little ones-those who believe in me-to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
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One of the earliest post-Biblical Writings, the Didache, or Teaching of the 12 Apostles, condemns pederasty.
"And the second commandment of the Teaching; You shall not commit murder, you shall not commit adultery, Exodus 20:13-14 you shall not commit pederasty, you shall not commit fornication, you shall not steal, Exodus 20:15 you shall not practice magic, you shall not practice witchcraft, you shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill that which is begotten. You shall not covet the things of your neighbour, Exodus 20:17 you shall not forswear yourself, Matthew 5:34 you shall not bear false witness, Exodus 20:16 you shall not speak evil, you shall bear no grudge. You shall not be double-minded nor double-tongued; for to be double-tongued is a snare of death. Your speech shall not be false, nor empty, but fulfilled by deed. You shall not be covetous, nor rapacious, nor a hypocrite, nor evil disposed, nor haughty. You shall not take evil counsel against your neighbour. You shall not hate any man; but some you shall reprove, and concerning some you shall pray, and some you shall love more than your own life." https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0714.htm
"And the second commandment of the Teaching; You shall not commit murder, you shall not commit adultery, Exodus 20:13-14 you shall not commit pederasty, you shall not commit fornication, you shall not steal, Exodus 20:15 you shall not practice magic, you shall not practice witchcraft, you shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill that which is begotten. You shall not covet the things of your neighbour, Exodus 20:17 you shall not forswear yourself, Matthew 5:34 you shall not bear false witness, Exodus 20:16 you shall not speak evil, you shall bear no grudge. You shall not be double-minded nor double-tongued; for to be double-tongued is a snare of death. Your speech shall not be false, nor empty, but fulfilled by deed. You shall not be covetous, nor rapacious, nor a hypocrite, nor evil disposed, nor haughty. You shall not take evil counsel against your neighbour. You shall not hate any man; but some you shall reprove, and concerning some you shall pray, and some you shall love more than your own life." https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0714.htm
Jesus said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks will come, but woe to the one
through whom they come! It would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck
and to be thrown into the sea than to cause one of these little ones to stumble." Luke 17:1-2
through whom they come! It would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck
and to be thrown into the sea than to cause one of these little ones to stumble." Luke 17:1-2
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Making the "children pass through the fire".
That's how it's translated sometimes. But it's a euphemism....
Hebrew language doesn't contain bad words or labels. So often euphemism are used.
For example "dog" is used to state a person is a homosexual...either as a prostitute or just enjoys the practice as in "a dog returns to its vomit".
"Making children pass through the fire" is an expression used to describe pedophilia. Children were almost property in that ancient culture. So harming them was not forbidden or even punishable. Before the boys hit 13 (barmitzvah) a parent could be held liable for their actions.
Girls were usually engaged to be married by age 9....bride price and dowry might not be exchanged yet but usually already promised. The actual marriage wouldn't happen for years and years. Maybe as young as 16 but definitely by age 19.
This Molech worship is discussing removing a child's virginity by a priest of Molech and paying the priest to have it done.
Yeah....that's what has come from the ANE studies and the varying gods they worshipped. Very sick world.
That's how it's translated sometimes. But it's a euphemism....
Hebrew language doesn't contain bad words or labels. So often euphemism are used.
For example "dog" is used to state a person is a homosexual...either as a prostitute or just enjoys the practice as in "a dog returns to its vomit".
"Making children pass through the fire" is an expression used to describe pedophilia. Children were almost property in that ancient culture. So harming them was not forbidden or even punishable. Before the boys hit 13 (barmitzvah) a parent could be held liable for their actions.
Girls were usually engaged to be married by age 9....bride price and dowry might not be exchanged yet but usually already promised. The actual marriage wouldn't happen for years and years. Maybe as young as 16 but definitely by age 19.
This Molech worship is discussing removing a child's virginity by a priest of Molech and paying the priest to have it done.
Yeah....that's what has come from the ANE studies and the varying gods they worshipped. Very sick world.
Sorry to hear about the people in your life who suffered such terrible abuse. There is something uniquely wicked and unthinkable about that kind of abuse done to a child. Even leaving pedophilia aside, I really think human sexuality is fundamentaly broken due to the fall. Adam & Eve are the only people to have ever known true wholeness of body, soul and spirit. Even the timing of the onset of puberty might be damaged. We just don't know. We do know we are fallen
beings & few of us ever manage to completely avoid sin related to sex.
beings & few of us ever manage to completely avoid sin related to sex.
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I know men who disagree with the rape and age of consent laws, that a 15 year old girl is an adult, etc. If pushed, they then support their argument saying that a girl becomes a woman when she menstruates (many men may believe this based on their silence) so yes, I think it is a problem it is not mentioned at all.