What the Bible says about a modern controversy

One of the more interesting comments to surface from the legacy of Lara Logan’s tragedy back in February is the allegation of spousal rape. Apparently, as has been alleged, every pastor in Alaska is involved in a big cover-up for not only knowing that this goes on, but in not reporting it to proper legal authorities so that these errant husbands can be thrown in the slammer and their families can be added to the welfare roles (because of the absence of his income, of course).

But is this true?

I, for one, have never had any woman make such an allegation against her husband to me. But even if these accusations are as vast as alleged, there are major problems with them from a Biblical standpoint.

For instance, there is the problem of truth. That is, this kind of allegation becomes her word against his word. And while I understand that in Alaska the lone female is able to convict her alleged perpetrator, this goes contrary to the Bible. In the book of Deuteronomy we find the following: “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.”

While this may be a problem for some in that this is Old Testament, this is carried over into the Christian era in Matthew 18: “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one of two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”

The purpose for this is the preservation of justice. The truth is that people, including women, can lie. Thus, in not requiring two or three witnesses to the event, Alaska statute proves itself to be unjust, and likewise those legislators responsible for it. But then again, what more can we expect from the lost?

But this is not the only problem. The next question we need to ask is to whom does the body belong? While in our day of feminism it is asserted that a woman’s body is her own. Biblically speaking, this is only true prior to marriage, for in Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians we read:

“Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.”

The truth is that God has given to us physical needs we commonly refer to as a “sex drive,” and he has designed for these to be met within the bounds of marriage. The trouble comes when one spouse or the other decides to exact retaliation against the other because of some offense and withholds him or herself from his or her mate. This is wickedness, and such is a violation of the spirit of marriage on the part of the withholder.

Thus, if these allegations of spousal rape are due to the wife withholding herself in attempt to control or punish her husband, she is out of line with God. And it doesn’t matter how many laws are passed, it will just be another reason why God will not bless America.

But then again, this is how far out of line with God America is.

Now, it is one thing for those who reject Christ to be out of line with God’s word, it is quite another for those who call themselves Christians. It is without a doubt that those who reject Christ will hate what the Bible says. But those who call themselves Christians should love his commandments, and in the gospel of John we read, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

Thus, if those who call themselves Christians advocate ideas and laws that defy God, they call their own Christianity into question for it cannot be readily seen.

But this is the condition of many supposed Christians today. The ideas they live by and advance are wholly their own rather than being drawn from the wellspring of God’s word. They become as the false prophets of the Old Testament, who speak visions and dreams from their own hearts rather than of the counsels of heaven. But the day will come when their reproof will be from God himself.

The sad part is that it is this kind of Christianity that is ruining America. If America truly had a Christian heritage, then it is up to Christians to maintain it. But Christianity that withdraws itself from the word of God is the Christianity of Laodicea, which is lukewarm and will be spewn from the mouth of Christ.

Ron Hamman is pastor of Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla. Contact him at 357-4229 or ron.hamman@gci.net.

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