Parakaleo
Puritan Board Sophomore
In a recent study group with some men discussing marriage and family, an interesting question came up. As a backdrop to the question, we do believe there are sins that are made more heinous by reason of various aggravations. Fisher's explains:
Does this extend to the "persons" or "office" of man and woman? In other words, could the same sin be more heinous if found in a man than a woman, or vice versa? Nature and Scripture both seem to point in this direction.
Specifically, the group contemplated the matter of virginity. Looking to Deut. 22, it would seem far more important for a woman to enter marriage as a virgin than a man. In terms of a counseling situation, a man has greater cause to end marriage plans based on revelations of a woman's sexual history than a woman has cause in the case of a man's sexual record.* Agree or disagree?
*Of course this does not make the sexual immorality of men excusable.
Q. 9. "What are those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others?"
A. "Sins receive their aggravation, 1. From the persons offending. 2. From the parties offended. 3. From the nature and quality of the offence. 4. From the circumstances of time and place."
Does this extend to the "persons" or "office" of man and woman? In other words, could the same sin be more heinous if found in a man than a woman, or vice versa? Nature and Scripture both seem to point in this direction.
Specifically, the group contemplated the matter of virginity. Looking to Deut. 22, it would seem far more important for a woman to enter marriage as a virgin than a man. In terms of a counseling situation, a man has greater cause to end marriage plans based on revelations of a woman's sexual history than a woman has cause in the case of a man's sexual record.* Agree or disagree?
*Of course this does not make the sexual immorality of men excusable.