Trad Reform

The Virgin Mary was not a child bride. Being a wife (Matt 1:16) and participating in the census (Luke 2:3-5) are both adult activities (Gen 2:24, Num 26:2). Therefore, the assumption from Scripture, rather than Scholars, is that Mary is 20 or older. If a male is a “man” at 20 (eg Num 14:29, 32:11, 1:3, 26:4, Ex 30:14, 1 Chron 23:24), it is logically consistent to deduce that the female equivalent term “woman” is employed at 20 years old as well. Genesis 37:2 indicates that 17yo Joseph is a “youth.” Again, the female equivalent would be to label a 17yo girl a youth. Furthermore, it is only when she is “past her youth” (1 Cor 7:36) that she becomes eligible for marriage. Although terms for youth and children exist (eg 1 Sam 15:3, Deut 20:14), Divine Marriage Laws (Gen 2:24, Deut 21:11, etc) exclusively employ the Hebrew terms for adults. Can you present even one case in Scripture where the text explicitly states an adult male lawfully married a female child? I’ll wait.

The opponents of polygyny are astronomically mistaken in stating plural marriage is sin—“where there is no law there is no transgression” (Rom 4:15). Nevertheless, the opposition are simultaneously correct that there are those who pursue having multiple wives due to lusts of the flesh. As a result, there are three convictions I hold which ensure polygyny does not derail into licentiousness: 1. The Age of Adulthood—consequently the Age of Consent—is 20 years old. Twenty is the age of accountability when God brought judgement on the Israelites in the wilderness (Num 14:29, 32:11), nineteen and younger are “little ones” and “children” (Num 14:31 & Deut 1:39). When Jesus warned not to hurt children, He was speaking in Biblical terms, that is, 19 and younger (Matt 18:6). In the Bible, all adult activities such as giving offerings (Ex 30:14), serving in the army (Num 1:3), being counted in a census (Num 26:4), and serving in the Temple (1 Chron 23:24), begin at twenty years old. Moreover, there are Hebrew words for infant (yānaq), child (yeled), youth (naʿar), adult (ʾîš), and elder (zāqēn). Adam & Eve, the first married couple, are referred to as Man (ʾîš) & Woman (ʾiššâ), terms used for adults rather than children (eg 1 Sam 15:3). Genesis 2:24 states marriage is between a Man and Woman, adults not children. This understanding prevents child brides—a practice I wholly condemn, as evidenced by both my wives being in their 30s. 2. Homosexual relations between wives is prohibited (Rom 1:26, Jude 1:7). Wives are not married to each other—Jacob slept with one wife at a time (Gen 29:23, 28-30), separate beds, alternating nights (Gen 30:15-16). Homosexuality is contraceptive, violating the cardinal sexual commandment to “be fruitful and multiply” (Gen 1:28). God did not permit polygyny (Ex 21:10, Deut 21:15-17) for sake of orgies (1 Peter 4:3, Gal 5:21, Rom 13:13, 1 Cor 10:8) but for fulfilling His divine mandate to procreate (Mal 2:15, 1 Tim 2:15, 5:14). “Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring…” (Mal 2:15) 3. Divorce is only permitted for a wife’s “ʿerwâ” or “nakedness” (Deut 24:1), ie her “sexual immorality” as Jesus affirmed (Matt 5:32, 19:9), not “for any reason” (Matt 19:3) as the Pharisees believed. A woman divorced from a Believing husband remains one-flesh and is not eligible for marriage until the living husband dies (Rom 7:2-3, 1 Cor 7:10-11)—marrying her is adultery (Matt 5:32, Luke 16:18, Mark 10:12). As Deuteronomy affirms, she is “defiled” once entered by another man (Deut 24:4). The exception to this is when an Unbeliever leaves a Believer, she is released to remarry (1 Cor 7:15) as in the case of Rahab the Harlot. Considering a license is not required to commence a marriage (Deut 25:5, 21:13), a magic paper does not dissolve a marriage between two Believers, it’s merely a record to prevent immorality (Deut 24:4, Lev 21:7, Matt 5:32, 1 Peter 2:9). These three listed practices bring the wrath of God on both the monogamous and polygynous (Heb 13:4, 1 Cor 6:9-10). Not all of you are sincerely serving the Lord (Luke 20:20, John 2:24-25). If you want child brides, orgies with your wives, or need to sleep with women one-flesh with a fellow Believer, then “your heart is not right before God” (Acts 8:21). You must repent. “Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.” — Acts 8:22 In closing, I’m not here to appease, I’m here to proclaim the Truth (2 Tim 4:2, 1 Tim 4:13). We will all stand before God for our language (Matt 12:36-37) and our actions (2 Cor 5:10). I implore you, take His Word on these matters seriously—be earnest and repent.

NOT how language works: • There was no “cousin” in Hebrew/Aramaic • So the 12 Apostles—Jews in an Aramaic culture—never USED “cousin” in speech • In their Greek NT they used “brother” 220x—NEVER “cousin”—proving they kept the linguistic convention of using “brother” broadly.🧵

NOT how language works: • There was no “cousin” in Hebrew/Aramaic • So the 12 Apostles—Jews in an Aramaic culture—never USED “cousin” in speech • In their Greek NT they used “brother” 220x—NEVER “cousin”—proving they kept the linguistic convention of using “brother” broadly.🧵