I would say not ideal, but not forbidden. I think you could use a solid older mature woman as a stop gap, but you would want to get a male teacher back in there soon. Young men need male influence.
My curiosity is how far to press the transition age from boys to men being 13 in the Hebrew culture, and whether this is normative or cultural. Is there anything in the Bible that states specifically that 13-year olds are young men or are we just using the barmitspha (spelling??) as a good gauge for us today? Thoughts?
I appreciate Paul's view as well for it's temperance. I cannot think of any specific Bible passages regarding manhood though.
I notice that we (American Christians) like to use the Barmitzvah model as a transition to manhood for such an argument but largely fail to treat those 13 year old "young men" as such. I think we and our student ministries are tainted by the myth of adolescence here. BTW- Rick Holland has some great thoughts on this here: http://www.sbts.edu/family/blog/the-myth-called-adolescence-part-1/
It also seems that the Hebrews may have followed the approximate time of our biological clocks for their standards. If that is a natural/biological standard, why shouldn't we use it as well? The physical transition from boyhood to manhood is taking place therefore the social standing should as well. right?
Will, i am interested to hear your arguments regarding Timothy etc.
I would say not ideal, but not forbidden. I think you could use a solid older mature woman as a stop gap, but you would want to get a male teacher back in there soon. Young men need male influence.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Paul. 13 year olds to me qualify for the "young men" label and therefore I would try to transition to men teaching them.
ReplyDeleteMy curiosity is how far to press the transition age from boys to men being 13 in the Hebrew culture, and whether this is normative or cultural. Is there anything in the Bible that states specifically that 13-year olds are young men or are we just using the barmitspha (spelling??) as a good gauge for us today? Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteI appreciate Paul's view as well for it's temperance. I cannot think of any specific Bible passages regarding manhood though.
ReplyDeleteI notice that we (American Christians) like to use the Barmitzvah model as a transition to manhood for such an argument but largely fail to treat those 13 year old "young men" as such. I think we and our student ministries are tainted by the myth of adolescence here. BTW- Rick Holland has some great thoughts on this here: http://www.sbts.edu/family/blog/the-myth-called-adolescence-part-1/
It also seems that the Hebrews may have followed the approximate time of our biological clocks for their standards. If that is a natural/biological standard, why shouldn't we use it as well? The physical transition from boyhood to manhood is taking place therefore the social standing should as well. right?
Will, i am interested to hear your arguments regarding Timothy etc.