Is Consent a new idea?

Deeper Questions about a modern day topic

Mon 5 Aug 2024

Amy Isham

Topics

Christian ethics

Romantic relationships and Marriage

Have you heard people talking about consent?

The #Metoo movement exposed how many sexually inappropriate relationships there were in Hollywood and #Churchtoo made us see that sexual assault can happen wherever someone has power over another person.

In Australia, there's a large-scale government campaign to teach this generation about the importance of consent in intimate relationships. So is consent a new idea?

Well, no the Apostle Paul talks about consent in the Bible, which historians date back to about 50 AD.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul calls husbands and wives to be intimate by mutual consent.

In 426 AD Augustine challenged Roman culture about consent in his book “The City of God”.

So consent is a Christian virtue that’s shaping our culture today, hopefully for the better.

Bible reference(s):

1 Corinthians

With

Amy Isham

Amy studied English and Philosophy and then did her Masters in Librarianship. Amy went on to do a PhD in Leadership while teaching sociology to undergraduate students. Amy loves Jesus, hearing people's stories and finding the connections between what we do and who we are as people made in God's image. Amy co-hosts the Third Space Deeper Questions and is a CPX Associate.