Book Review - Sex and the Believer
Contents
- Introduction
- Echad = One
- “Kosher” Marriage
- Levirate Marriage
- Scenarios
- Matthew 5:27-28
- Concubines
- Moses the Polygamous
- The Marriage of the Lamb
- Fornication
- Rape
- Sodomy, etc.
- Conclusion
Introduction
Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. (Hebrews 13:4) NASB
This verse is repeated many times throughout this book as Mr. Koniuchowsky uses it as the basis of his understanding of the marriage bed, although his translation does not look like the one posted above. His translation states: The marriage bed is undefiled in ALL situations. RSTNE (Emphasis his.) The translation he uses is one that his publishing company offers: Restoration Scriptures True Name Edition.
This may not look like a big difference, but when we are using a verse to found doctrine, we must make sure that is states exactly what we believe it does. Most average readers will look at the first offering and read it as, “The marriage bed must be treated with honor/respect at all times.” This is not what Mr. Moshe K.’s translation stated. His translation stated that regardless of what is going on in it, the marriage bed is undefiled. This really leaves quite a bit open to speculation.
Mr. K. goes on to state, “that only sexual activities outside of set apart matrimony are dirty.” Again, this type of blanket statement leaves quite a bit of room for interpretation. Does he mean that bestiality is okay as long as it happens within the marriage covenant? What about other types of sexual activity? Once we open the door to this kind of activity, who knows what might just come in. According to this book, all sexual activity, as long as it is not expressly forbidden in Torah, is Kosher. This includes forcing a woman to have sex when she does not want any.
On page eight Mr. Koniuchowsky states, speaking of Adonai, “He does not care about the number of commitments made, as long as those commitments are within the unbreakable bounds of marriage and as long as they are all honored for our entire lifetime.” Oh really? Then what about His command to future kings regarding the taking of multiple wives?
“He shall not multiply wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself.” (Deuteronomy 17:17)
This is only the first example of Mr. Moshe Koniuchowsky’s blanket statements that do not take all of Scripture into account. There are many others found throughout this book.
He also assumes polygamy where it is not specifically stated, like in these verses in Mark:
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that IF A MAN’S BROTHER DIES and leaves behind a wife AND LEAVES NO CHILD, HIS BROTHER SHOULD MARRY THE WIFE AND RAISE UP CHILDREN TO HIS BROTHER. There were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died leaving no children. The second one married her, and died leaving behind no children; and the third likewise; and so all seven left no children. Last of all the woman died also. In the resurrection, when they rise again, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her.” (Mark 12:19-23)
Nowhere does it state that any of these men were already married when they took their bother’s widow, yet Mr. Koniuchowsky writes:
And Yahshua never says that the above scenario is implausible. Also Yahshua does not negate the living brother’s Torah obligation to take the widow as a wife whether or not he already has a wife!
So the question remains; does Torah mandate polygamy?