Did Independent Baptist Pastor Endorse Spousal Rape?

In spousal rape, the question is what constitutes “forced sexual relations.” Is it simply physical force alone or does it involve coercive persuasion? What is spousal rape? How do we recognize and establish it in court? These are difficult questions because the concept is not clearly defined.

Feminist theory or not, it is a sin against God and the woman and a crime against society to compel any woman to have sexual activites against her will, whether one uses physical, financial, psychological, spiritual, or other means of coercion. I don’t think this is really that difficult to understand, and I’m embarrassed that I even need to say this online.

Findlaw.com:

The crime of rape (or “first-degree sexual assault” in some states) generally refers to non-consensual sexual intercourse that is committed by physical force, threat of injury, or other duress. A lack of consent can include the victim’s inability to say “no” to intercourse, due to the effects of drugs or alcohol. Rape can occur when the offender and victim have a pre-existing relationship (sometimes called “date rape”), or even when the offender is the victim’s spouse.

Under a variation known as “statutory rape,” some states make it unlawful for an adult to engage in sexual intercourse with a person who has not reached the age of consent (usually 18 years of age).

It may be difficult to determine the motives behind someone’s claim to be a rape victim, but that doesn’t matter because it isn’t our responsibility to discern motives anyway - that’s a matter for the cops. Every accusation must be taken seriously.

The editorial is an embarrassment. It is not that there is not an element of truth in it because of course there is. It is the tone, the unbalanced treatment, and the overreaching hyperbole that is offensive. I do not want someone like Hamman speaking for me or any group I am in the least associated with.

The article could have been written in a positive and helpful way that does not denigrate women or ignore man’s responsibilities. And for that matter, defraudment is not a sin limited to women anyway. But regardless of whether defraudment takes place, Hamman should have clearly stated that spousal abuse is a horrific sin.

Leaving aside all questions of political correctness, false accusation, feminist thinking, etc., I must point out that the fact that a husband and wife have rights to each other’s bodies does not necessarily imply that one has the right to take the other’s body by force. People are not property.

For example, the wife is to submit to the husband, says Ephesians, but the command is given to the wife, that she might truly and willingly submit. It is not given to the husband that he might force her submission.

[Mike Durning] Leaving aside all questions of political correctness, false accusation, feminist thinking, etc., I must point out that the fact that a husband and wife have rights to each other’s bodies does not necessarily imply that one has the right to take the other’s body by force. People are not property.

For example, the wife is to submit to the husband, says Ephesians, but the command is given to the wife, that she might truly and willingly submit. It is not given to the husband that he might force her submission.

Mike, as usual, you cut through the clutter of ideas. This is a laser beam. Well said.