Incest

Dr. Couch, when did incest stop in the Bible? Is there a verse that would tell us? ANSWER:  Intermarriage between siblings is not stated but it is implied in the early chapters of Genesis. This would be the only way the race could begin to perpetuate itself. Abraham married a half-sister, Sarah, who had the same father as Abraham (Gen. 11:20-25:10).    Lot's daughters got their father drunk and both had sex with him for the reason "that we may preserve our family through our father" (19:34). Not only was their reasoning sinful but the consequences were as well. Their children were named Moab ("from the father") and Ben-ammi ("son of my people"), Ben-ammi's children were the Ammonites (vv. 37-38).    Abraham's family had been pagans in Ur so the marriage between him and Sarah was wrong but there was no prohibition about it known by Abraham.    Incest was especially destructive among the Canaanites and the Egyptians, and was by the Law in Leviticus 18, prohibited among the Israelites. It was banned between mother, stepmother, sister, half-sister, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and aunt by blood.    Why was it allowed at the first of the human race? Apparently it was not as emotionally destructive at first but later it would be a twisted and perverted practice that would destroy relationships. Sexual emotional issues are powerful, and only immoral habits would follow. When incest is practiced to the extreme, it can produce physically harmed offspring. Where it is practiced today it virtually destroys the culture that has no prohibitions against it.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (11/10)

Unthankful

Dr. Couch, it seems that Americans are too unthankful. Do you agree? ANSWER: Paul reminds Timothy that marriage and food is given to us by God, created by Him, therefore we should gratefully share our bounty, that is, we who are "those who believe and know the truth" (1 Tim. 4:3). "Men," refers to the world and the lost, and here in this verse, are those who forbid marriage. The Greek is stronger. "Forbid" is "kaluo" and means "to prevent, hinder, restrain, deny, clip, lop off." This is happening in America now. Over 50% of people are just living together without marriage. 50% of all children born in this country are from unwed couples. The results of this promiscuity, this sleeping around, is that 50% of young people have some form of venereal diseases. Many of these diseases are incurable. Paul adds that "everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude" (v. 4). Nicoll adds: "Paul does not merely desire to vindicate the use of some of God's creatures for them that believe, but the use of all of God's creatures, so far as they are not physically injurious. 'God saw every thing that He made, and behold, it was very good'" (Gen. 1:31). Thanks for asking. Dr. Mal Couch (11/10)

Christ the King

Dr. Couch, is Christ the "king" over the church, as might be hinted at in Revelation 1:6? ANSWER: This passages says that the church believers are "a kingdom, priests to [Christ's] God and Father." We are "a" kingdom but not "the" kingdom, i.e., the Millennial earthly reign of Christ over the nation of Israel! As priests, we represent God to others, and others to God. But this does not make Christ our King as He will be when He rules and reigns over the kingdom of His earthly father David. This idea leads some to say "He is king in our hearts," a concept the Bible does not bring forth. I have practiced in my interpretative life to try to speak only where the Bible speaks and not to make a leap to something that it does not put forward. Where the Bible speaks, I speak; where it does not speak, I don't speak! Over domestic relations Christ is the head of the husband, and the husband is the head of the woman (1 Cor. 11:3). Christ is said in several places to be Head of "all things" (Co. 2:10; Eph. 1:22) and He is head of the church (4:15; Col. 1:18). But the Bible does not say He is the king over the church. The idea of a king has a specific picture in mind. It implies a certain kingship rule that is not seen in the idea of "the body of Christ" with Him as its Head! I care less what the Covenant theologians think; I am not out to impress or to placate them. I am not out to compromise with them on their view of the kingdom. I will not do what they do, and that is, leap to an idea where the Word of God does not leap! Thanks for asking. Dr. Mal Couch (11/10)