The
concept of a “strange woman” is an unofficial
doctrine**
held by some Independent Fundamental Baptists concerning sexually
abused girls: They become human garbage and things to be used, to be
dispensed with in whatever way is convenient to those who have charge
over them. Note that many doctrines in a high demand group are not
formally documented but become part of the oral tradition or the
hidden
curriculum**
of their culture and are often more powerful rules than the formally
stated ones.
Ron
Williams of Hephzibah House offers a very lengthy sermon about this
insidiously taught doctrine causing pastors confront occurrences of
sexual abuse in their congregations and in educational settings.
(Full sermon transcript available HERE.
Audio available HERE.)
Sexually Defiled? You're Hopeless.
It amazes me that, despite all of his mistakes, all responsibility for all that goes wrong in Jacob's life which results from his wrongdoing ends up on Dinah's head. And she's helpless. If your sexual purity gets taken away, you are of only limited value to God and man. WHAT A MISERABLE LIE!
™
QUOTE:
Part II, Defiled Young Women
and the Dishonor of Womanhood
Defiled.
Defiled. Defiled.
[.
. .]
Many,
many young people I’ve worked with over these years have ended up
getting these kinds of scars, because like Dinah they believed a lie.
. . .And you know this word “defiled” that is used in our text
here is a very interesting word. It’s the very same word that is
used of the desecration of the holy of holies.
[.
. .]
So
dishonor of womanhood and violation of the holy of holies are
regarded with the same feelings and described with the same word. . .
[W]e learned that purity for a woman was very important in Israel and
in this text. . . . If those bed sheets could not be produced
[demonstrating blood from her broken hymen on her honeymoon] she was
to be put to death. That’s the idea that Israel had about purity.
™
QUOTE:
Part II, The Genesis of the
Strange Woman
I
stand before you as one who has scars. I know what it’s like to
have scars from a foolish, empty headed, rebellious, willful youth.
And perhaps some of you can say, “I know what it’s like to have
scars”. And so be careful young heart when you get discontented,
because that’s the devil’s playground.
™
QUOTE:
Part II, The Genesis of the
Strange Woman
And
if he can get you discounted enough he’s going to get you in a
position like Dinah and you’re going to end up with scars. Some
sins of our youth can permanently affect our lives, even if they are
forgiven.
™
QUOTE:
Part II, The Genesis of the
Strange Woman
In
fact she [Dinah] goes off the pages of scripture with one word
“defiled”.
Probably
like Tamar, Tamar lived destitute the rest of her life after she was
defiled.
