S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The Bible does address the issue of rape. As expected, when the Bible mentions the crime of rape, it is depicted as a gross violation of God's design for the treatment of the human body (Genesis 34...

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July 01 2013 • 4 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

The Bible clearly opposes rape and sexual violence. Even though the laws and customs of ancient times were different from today, Scripture consistently presents rape as a serious sin and a violation of the dignity God gives each person.

Rape is condemned as a violent and sinful act. In Deuteronomy 22:25-27, if a man attacks and forces himself on a betrothed woman in the countryside, he alone is to be put to death. The woman is not to be punished because she did nothing wrong. 

(The context here is Deut. 22:23ff. If a virgin is engaged to a man and another man meets her in the city and has sexual relations with her, 22:24 you must bring the two of them to the gate of that city and stone them to death, the young woman because she did not cry out though in the city and the man because he violated his neighbor’s fiancée; in this way you will purge evil from among you. 22:25 But if the man came across the engaged woman in the field and overpowered her and raped her, then only the rapist must die. 22:26 You must not do anything to the young woman – she has done nothing deserving of death. This case is the same as when someone attacks another person and murders him, 22:27 for the man met her in the field and the engaged woman cried out, but there was no one to rescue her.)

So, this law draws a clear line between mutual sin and violent assault. The woman is seen as an innocent victim, and the rapist is held fully responsible, deserving the death penalty. But here's why Christians don't enforce the death penalty for rapists today:

" 1. Christ Fulfilled the Old Testament Law

Romans 10:4 (ESV)

'For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.'

Christ’s coming ended the requirement to obey the Old Testament’s civil penalties (including the death penalty for rape, adultery, or Sabbath-breaking)." chatgpt

3 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report