Data Over Dogma The Adult(ery) Episode
Oct 20, 2025
This week dives into the controversial interpretation of adultery in the Ten Commandments and its historical context in the Hebrew Bible. The hosts analyze how ancient views framed adultery as property rights, contrasting it with modern moral standards. They also explore the provocative story of Hosea, including God's command to marry a prostitute and its symbolic implications for Israel's fidelity. The discussion touches on themes of punishment and restoration, revealing the enduring relevance of these biblical narratives.
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Mission Office 'Sexy' Phone Call
- Dan McClellan recalled being called 'sexy' by his mission president's wife while he had a cold.
- He shared the memory to introduce a lighthearted start to the episode's theme.
Adultery As Property, Not Purity
- Adultery in the Hebrew Bible functions largely as a property-rights violation, not a moral absolute about sex.
- Men had wide sexual freedom unless they infringed on another man's rights over a woman.
Greco-Roman Shift Reframes Sexual Ethics
- The New Testament redefines adultery under Greco-Roman and Platonic influence toward sexual distrust.
- Jesus and Paul shift emphasis from social property norms to inner desire and spiritual purity.
