Today, some points are shared on the age of accountability, circumcision, and adult participation in covenant. Also, there is more on judgment and stoning in the Old Testament. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “JT” (Level 3 with 1,411 points, a member since December 09, 2007) posted the following:
Is it child abuse to forcibly circumcise an unwilling teenager?
It recently happened to someone I know. The father was extremely adamant about having the boy (15) circumcised. They argued for weeks nonstop and the son tried to compromise with just a loose or partial cut, but the dad insisted on a complete circumcision that removed every bit of loose skin from the shaft. He was eventually snipped without any sort of anesthetics sometime last week. The boy is in agony, and the mother is very upset with his father as well.
Is this child abuse? I am horrified at what happened, but i also realize that it happens to infants all the time, and most people don't seem to care. At what age do you think a boy should be able to refuse such an operation against a parent(s) wishes?
Btw I am against infant circumcision.
THE BATTLE AXE: Stoning in the OT? (06/07/2014)—(5.) The duty and privilege of serving in judgment goes far beyond what most of us comprehend; and we are again cautioned not to lean upon our own understanding. Stoning pertains to collective responsibility, social contract (i.e., agreement, mutual acceptance), and unity. It is an error to say stoning was “uncivilized”. Stoning in obedience to demands of covenant with GOD may be understood as no less rational than the political behavior from Greek democracy of casting ones ballot using either a black or white stone; and without careful examination, stoning should not be dismissed as a civilized and intelligently chosen tool in social justice any more than use of the simple sling stone should be banned and mocked as an effective weapon for defense and warfare. Stoning was doubly effective by burying offenders (from dust thou art, unto dust thou shalt return) in fulfillment of the divine word, at the same time raising a heap of memorial over them that would caution and warn the living. Consider this: As children, many of us are angered and feel put upon by parental demands that we faithfully carry out the chores of removing trash and garbage from the home. Most parents do not submit a formal written request in triplicate, justify themselves and their demands, or offer such terms for their child’s obedience as “maybe,” “some times,” and “whenever you feel like it.” Parents do not typically explain that leftover food and unwanted material draw insects, rodents, and other disease carriers into the home. Should the child become sick, they will miss school, play and other activity with their friends—or even cause their friends to become sick also. Should the parents be forced to miss days from work because of illness, the family would not receive money needed for medicine, groceries, and by not making payment might lose their home, their beds and their places to sleep! By their obedience children are able to obtain various benefits that are not explained to them in detail. Similarly, at first, covenant believers are not given a detailed explanation of the benefits that come by fellowship with GOD; yet, their needs are met through simple obedience. All the consequences and damages from disobedience and sin are not detailed for created beings and living creatures. Thus, death may be understood as a token that describes a broad range of irreversible ill effects and losses that come by defiance of divine law, ignorance, lying, selfishness, ungodliness, and willfulness. See Revelation 21: 6-8, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen. Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude. (Deuteronomy 10: 14-22, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Why the Gospel for Our Children (05/13/2014); Changing Times and Laws? (05/14/2014); “Prayer Death”? (02/21/2014); The 2nd Prayer Death (02/22/2014); Kicked Out By Parents? (11/27/2013); Before Getting Baptized? (11/28/2013); Circumcision and Promise? (07/16/2013); The Bible and Stupid People (07/17/2013); Accomplished in Christ? (01/16/2013); The Need to Purify Heaven (01/17/2013)
“JT”, here are a few points that may make clear why circumcision is more than a mere cutting of ones flesh:
(1.) Covenant relationships to GOD are established through such mechanisms as blood (we say, atonement, the circulation of life essence within flesh), utterance (we say, breath, promise, spirit, word), through sacrifice (exchange of gifts, offerings, enduring loss or suffering), and through sanctification (cleansing, purification, washing and being set apart exclusively for service to GOD).
(2.) Because minor children lack discernment (ability to correctly use ones own spirit content from GOD to recognize the spirit matter (we say, divinity) in events, objects and other persons), parents must be accountable for all decisions regarding the spiritual development of little ones, their future inheritance, and their ongoing participation as members both of a family unit and part of a living household.
(3.) The age of accountability for baptism, confirmation, and first communion of minors within many congregations and faith communities varies from 8 years old to 20. The idea of “bar mitzvah” at 12 to 14 is also maintained wherein youth observe a rite of passage to adult participation in their community by presenting a spiritual dissertation in public to the full adult congregation. Therein they “prove” themselves and their individual beliefs worthy of acceptance and respect.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Where circumcision pertains to priesthood and service within a community of believers, often decisions must be in recognition of duty, things that must be done (like it, don’t like it) for the good of others, despite the cost or loss one must personally endure. The physical “pain and suffering” of circumcision is temporary, and lasts no longer than that of brain and heart surgery.). Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah. (Psalms 50: 4-6, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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