Key Vocabulary

Child Development Ages 0-18

Ages 0-5

The first five years are a critical period for child development, characterized by rapid brain growth where up to 90% of brain development occurs by age five. During this time, children form key neural connections through their experiences, which lay the foundation for future learning, health, and behavior. Key areas of development include brain development, physical and motor skills, and social-emotional and cognitive abilities. 

Key developmental areas

Brain Development: The brain develops faster than at any other time in life, forming over one million new neural connections every second. These connections are built through experiences like positive interactions with caregivers and exploring the world through senses. Seeing parents show healthy affection can literally shape the brain with trillions of connections for sexual health processing later in life.

Cognitive Development: This area involves learning, problem-solving, and memory. Children develop through identifying objects, following simple directions, and engaging in imaginative play. Learning anatomically accurate words is appropriate and can assist in reporting abuse. 

Social-Emotional Development: Children learn to form attachments, express emotions, and interact with others. They develop skills like smiling, cooing, and eventually learn to play cooperatively, take turns, and use words to express feelings. How an adult connects relationally and romantically begins in the first five years. Her brain shape can be secure in relationships, preoccupied, or fearful/avoidant. Dismissive means that I want you, but I may push you away.  These styles of connecting are formed in the brain before the age of 5 and form the neural architecture of relationships.

How to support development. Provide a healthy environment where appropriate touch is non threatening, affection is welcome, and the human body without shame. A child’s experiences during these years are crucial for shaping their future sexual health behaviors. 

Engage in positive interactions: Talk, sing, and read to your child the first 5 chapters of Genesis to build connections and encourage language development about essential Biblical themes.

Respond to their needs: Providing warm and dependable adult interactions is vital for building a secure foundation. 

Encourage play: Play is a primary way children learn and develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Using Nature Immersion: The Creation Walk can be an excellent method of teaching children about creation in an enjoyable non shaming way.

Ages 6-11

Children between the ages of 6 and 11 show significant development in physical, cognitive, social, and emotional areas, becoming more coordinated and active while developing logical thinking and problem-solving skills. 18 months after a child needs deodorant for body odor, they will most likely go through puberty. They increasingly rely on peer relationships, learn to understand others’ perspectives, and develop a greater sense of self and morality. Emotionally, they manage feelings better than in earlier years, although they can still experience jealousy and mood swings. The average age of child sexual abuse is 9 years of age. It is essential children understand appropriate touch and boundaries before age 9. 

Physical development 

• Motor skills: Greater strength and coordination allow for more complex activities like dancing, playing a musical instrument, or riding a bike. They develop finer motor skills for tasks like tying shoelaces and using tools.
• Physical activity: They have high energy levels and enjoy active play, team sports, and using their bodies for creative expression, like drawing or painting. 

Cognitive development 

• Thinking skills: They move from magical to concrete logical thinking, allowing them to solve problems, understand concepts like time and fractions, and grasp that objects can be categorized.
• Problem-solving and memory: They improve their ability to focus, organize, and plan ahead. They can also remember information for longer periods and use strategies to help them learn.
• Language: Their speech is nearly adult-level, and they can read and understand more complex sentences. They read for pleasure and to learn new things.
• Curiosity and questioning: They ask “why and where do babies come from”, question things they don’t understand, and seek justifications for how things are. This is an excellent time to talk through the non-shaming images and terms of Genesis 1-5. Reading through the Noah snap shot on sexual safety is also appropriate.

Social development 

• Friendships: Friends become increasingly important, and they may have several close friends, often playing with same-gender groups.
• Social skills: They learn to cooperate and share, but also experience jealousy. They become more aware of social group dynamics and may use language to include or exclude others.
• Role models: They admire and imitate older youth and adults, sometimes questioning authority as they get older. 

Emotional development 

• Self-Regulation: They are better at managing emotions like anger than before, though temper tantrums can still occur. Teaching children how to regulate their anxiety with emotions can assist in regulating sexual neural pathways during puberty.
• Empathy: They develop a stronger sense of empathy and can better understand and consider the feelings of others. Introd
• Decreasing Shame: They are developing a sense of body image and can be sensitive about being compared to peers. When sexual health and safety are spoken of, it is important to do so without shame.
• Values: They begin to develop their own set of sexual health values and a personal worldview, understanding concepts like fairness and sexual mores. 

Ages 12-18

Adolescents aged 12-18 experience the most profound wiring of their lives in terms of the sexual system. Sexual neuropathways form the most powerful network in the human body. This wiring impacts cognitive, social, and physical domains, including sexual behaviors, developing abstract thinking, a stronger reliance on peer groups, and physical maturation through puberty. Key traits include the ability to think about possibilities and long-term goals, increased self-consciousness and emotional and sexual regulation, and physical changes like growth spurts and the development of secondary sexual characteristics. This period involves forming a personal identity and navigating a shift in priorities from family to peers. God has shaped our children to begin “leaving their parents and cleaving to a lifetime partner”.

Cognitive development 

• Abstract thinking: The ability to think about abstract concepts, such as philosophy, politics, and sexuality, develops significantly.
• Long-term planning: Adolescents begin to set long-term goals and think about their future.
• Reasoning and debate: They can reason from general principles and start to form their own ideas, question authority, and debate different points of view.
• Self-awareness: They become more aware of their own thought processes and become more self-conscious. 

Social and emotional development 

• Independence: A strong drive for independence emerges, with adolescents often turning to friends for support rather than parents.
• Peer relationships: Fitting in with a chosen peer group becomes a major focus, influencing values, interests, sexuality, and appearance.
• Identity formation: They begin to form their individual identity, which can involve questioning old values and exploring new roles and interests.
• Emotional swings: They may experience strong emotional swings, increased self-consciousness, and moodiness due to hormonal changes and identity struggles. 

Physical development 

• Puberty: Boys and girls go through puberty, which involves the development of secondary sexual characteristics like pubic and underarm hair, with significant growth.
• Growth spurts: A rapid increase in height and weight is common during this stage.
• Body image: Physical attractiveness becomes very important, and adolescents are often more self-conscious about their changing bodies.
• Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations can lead to physical changes like acne, as well as emotional outbursts and mood swings. 

Coitus Interruptus, birth control: Coitus interruptus, or the withdrawal birth control method, is a form of contraception where the male partner withdraws before ejaculatory inevitability to prevent sperm from entering the vagina. It is free and always available, with no associated health risks or side effects. However, coitus interruptus is considered one of the least effective methods of birth control.  Pre-ejaculatory fluid may contain sperm. This form of birth control also does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).  

Effectiveness

• High failure rate: Coitus interruptus has a high failure rate, even with “typical use,” which includes accidental or incorrect use. 
• “Perfect use” vs. “typical use”: A large-scale study in England and Scotland found a typical use failure rate of 6.7 per 100 woman-years of use, while perfect use rates are significantly better but still carry risks. 
  
• Pre-ejaculatory fluid: Pre-ejaculatory fluid can contain sperm, and this fluid can be released before ejaculation, potentially leading to pregnancy. 

Eunuchism and Intersexuality: Genesis Chapter 37 features the term eunuch for the first time in the Bible. Bitter brothers sell Joseph into slavery to Ishmaelite investors. The descendants of Ishmael trafficked Joseph to Potiphar, an elite royal military captain. Described in two ways, Potiphar is the guardian, SAR, of Pharaoh and identified as a eunuch, sah-REECE (Genesis 37:26, Strong, h5631, g2135). The reader may note that the terms guardian, SAR, and eunuch, sah-REECE , sound similar but have different spellings.

Eunuchs have been employed by royalty for millennia to oversee harems.  The eunuch was unable to impregnate royal consorts because of either intersex traits at birth or surgical removal of genitalia. Eunuchism includes those born with intersex traits incapable of heterosexual intercourse. Clinicians use the term intersex for variations in sexually reproducing organisms. Intersex births feature characteristics between typical males and typical females. Intersex genitals differ in numerous ways with wide diversity. Many intersexual traits never appear outwardly. Some variations present when the intersex child reaches puberty, and still others at adulthood. Again, some intersexual traits never appear physically (Fausto-Sterling, 2000).

Fausto-Sterling (2000) examined clinical intersex data from 1955 to 1999. She stated, “We surveyed the medical literature from 1955 to the present for studies of the frequency of deviation from the ideal male or female. We conclude that this frequency may be as high as 2% of live births” (pp. 151–166). Genetics governing growth and development cause most intersex variations. Hormones underlie the most frequent variations among the intersexual population.  Numerous eunuch snapshots appear in both the Old and New Testament records. The Hebrew Bible (WLC) uses the terms sah-REECE and eunuch in New Testament Greek (Strong, H5631, G2135).

Royalty concerned for DNA purity of heirs chose staff members incapable of reproduction to oversee harems. The eunuch lacked the ability for genital sexual intercourse with the king’s wives whether by intersexual traits or surgical castration. The sah-REECE served as a nonthreatening caregiver, ensuring royal blood lines with unbroken succession to the throne. 

The fifth century AD Etymologicon by Orion of Thebes cites an early definition for the eunuch: guarding the bed and being deprived of male to female sexual intercourse. 

The historian Lucian states two criteria for vetting a eunuch: physical inspection of genitalia while examining the candidate during a sexual act with females. This vetting process proved the sah-REECE/eunuch posed no threat to infiltrate royal DNA (Sturz, p. 58).

Many cultures record surgical castration to prevent sexual intercourse with royal consorts. Vietnamese eunuchism removed both testicles and penis of male staff members to ensure the progeny of the Emperor. The duties of Vietnamese eunuchs primarily maintained the harem for sexual intercourse with the Emperor (Taylor, 2013).

The Biblical Hebrew word for eunuch is sah-REECE, (Strong, H5631). Potiphar in the Joseph snapshot circa 12th Dynasty BCE is called Pharaoh’s sah-REECE (BLB, Genesis 37:36, Strong, H5631). Daniel of the Babylonian Exile 8th century BCE served under a sah-REECE and is assumed to be part of the eunuch culture to secure the purity of heir making. The Book of Isaiah 56:1–5 uses the term sah-REECE in a blessing piece.

And let no eunuch (sah-REECE) complain,

“I am only a dry tree.”

For this is what the Lord says:

“To the eunuchs (sah-REECE) who keep my Sabbaths,

who choose what pleases me

and hold fast to my covenant—

to them I will give within my temple and its walls

a memorial and a name

better than sons and daughters;

I will give them an everlasting name

that will endure forever.

Other eunuchs are named specifically, such as, Hegai and Shashgaz, Hatach, Harbonah, Bigthan, and Teresh. The sarisim, the plural of sah-REECE, were potential threats to impregnate the harem of the king and therefore chosen because of the inability for intercourse with royalty.

The New Testament uses the term eunuch in two narratives, Mathew 19 and Acts 8. Jesus speaks of eunuchs in Matthew 19 stating that some eunuchs are born, some eunuchs are made (surgically), and others choose to be eunuchs (Matthew 19:1–12).

Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.” (Matthew 19:1–12)

The eunuchs Jesus described may include those who were born with intersex variations and could not have heterosexual genital sexual intercourse. The second snapshot appears in Acts 8:26–39. In this piece the apostle Phillip interprets Isaiah 53 for an, “ Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake which means ‘queen of the Ethiopians.’” (Acts 8:27) The reader can note that the Ethiopian eunuch served a royal consort, a queen. In addition the term eunuch separates from the words, an important official in charge. This supports the context of the sah-REECE  of the Old Testament who guards the harem of the king.

Intersex-eunuch passages in Matthew 19 and perhaps Acts 8 appear without condemnation as well. The Acts snapshot with the Ethiopian eunuch and Phillip communicates honor and dignity.

Euphemism: The term euphemism is composed of two Greek words, eu meaning well and pheme, meaning to speak. Euphemisms decrease trauma shutdown by using gentle, indirect language to reframe sensitive matters. This can help families to be more comfortable discussing delicate topics. The technique, sometimes called “shame attenuation,” allows for a less traumatic conversation of direct sexual content. One example can be seen in Biblical sexual health narratives using the phrase, “uncovering the nakedness of”.  Rather than using the phrase, “sexual contact between family members,” the writer of Genesis uses a softer nuance, perhaps for younger ears. (Leviticus 18 and Deuteronomy 23) This may help families decrease potential shame in these conversations and increase learning.

How euphemisms decrease shame

• Softens harsh realities: Euphemisms replace blunt words with gentler ones. For example, saying someone “passed away” instead of “died” reduces the immediate shock and discomfort.
• Encourages truthfulness: By creating a less confrontational atmosphere, euphemisms can encourage a hesitant person to share the truth, such as using “missed work unexpectedly” instead of “called in sick” to ask about absenteeism. In the same way “uncover the nakedness of” is a euphemism lowering shame to prevent sexual contact within families. 

Lev 18:3

You must not do as they do in Egypt (incest), where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices.

 Lev 18:6

“ ‘No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations (uncover the nakedness of). I am the LORD.

Mandrakes: In the Bible, mandrakes are an anesthetic-hallucinogenic plant associated with fertility featured in the story of Jacob’s wives, Rachel and Leah. Rachel, who was barren, sought mandrakes, perhaps to promote fertility, which her son Reuben harvested, from her sister Leah. In exchange for the mandrakes, Rachel allowed Jacob to sleep with Leah, but ironically, Leah was then the one who became pregnant with their fifth son, Issachar. The mandrake is also mentioned in the Song of Solomon for its fragrant fruit, suggesting a romantic and intimate setting. 

Mandrakes possess hallucinogenic properties due to potent tropane alkaloids such as scopolamine, atropine, and hyoscyamine, which can induce delirium and hallucinations. The plant is also highly toxic, and its use is very dangerous. 

Effects and Dangers 

• Hallucinogenic & Deliriant: Mandrake can cause vivid hallucinations and a state of delirium, which in large doses may lead to madness.
• Narcotic & Sedative: Historically, it was used as an anesthetic for surgery in ancient times because it induces a state of unconsciousness and indifference to pain.
• Highly Poisonous: All parts of the Mandragora plant are poisonous. The concentration of alkaloids varies between individual plants, making safe dosing nearly impossible and accidental poisoning a significant risk.
• Physical Symptoms of Poisoning: Ingestion can lead to severe symptoms including blurred vision, dilated pupils, dry mouth, difficulty urinating, dizziness, headache, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), and vomiting.
• Risk of Death: In sufficient quantities, the plant can cause respiratory arrest, coma, and death due to its anticholinergic properties. 

Masturbation Theology:The word masturbation did not appear in print until the 17th century AD. The Latin word masturbation means “destruction by the hand” (Etymologygeek, 2021; Etymonline, 2021). Theologians began to connect the term masturbation to Onan’s act and the death sentence for coitus interruptus. The context of the passage, however, appears to be another lesson reinforcing the evil of coercive sexuality and abuse. The Onan incident is not a genital self-stimulation narrative. In addition there exists no support from other Biblical passages that God killed Onan for coitus interruptus. The judgment against Er and Onan has clear textual support on the basis of coercive sexuality and or violent abuse. No Biblical evidence supports the death sentence for coitus interruptus or genital self-stimulation to orgasm with ejaculation. The non-Biblical term masturbation appears to be a misuse of Scripture. The 17th century word masturbation does not appear in or reflect the authoritative text of the Bible anywhere. 

The translation method this work uses is called Biblical theology. This time-tested process uses Scripture to interpret Scripture. When a passage requires clarity, other relevant texts are compared for meaning. Biblical theology can be thought of as a scientific method for studying sacred literature with integrity. The tension in this passage focuses on the interpretation that God put Onan to death because he practiced birth control during intercourse through coitus interruptus. Therefore according to many authors any transmission of semen except for procreation is condemned by God. 

The circumstance of Onan’s death appears four times in the Old Testament (Genesis 38:9–10; 46:12; Numbers 26:19; 1 Chronicles 2:3). Two of the passages state that Onan simply died (Genesis 46:12; Numbers 26:19). The Hebrew verb form used in these two passages is called the Qal. This verb form shows that God did not act to end Onan’s life. The text of Genesis 38:10 states that someone or something killed Onan. The final Onan passage of 1 Chronicles 2:3 mentions Onan but does not state that the Lord killed him. Rather, Er his brother was terminated by God. The author of Chronicles omits Onan from the consequences of direct judgement by God. The four texts agree that God did not kill Onan due to birth control.

The one verse in question does not clearly state that Onan’s death was caused by God. The verse literally says in the Hebrew language, “He (Onan) did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and the thing which he did, killed him, even him.” Hebrew to English translators added “The Lord” as a subject to Verse 10 as the one doing the killing. The corruption and misuse of this passage began with the editing of the text by an unknown translator from the Hebrew to English who added “The Lord” as Onan’s executioner. No direct statements in the Bible support God putting Onan to death. All Biblical citations state that God did not terminate Onan because he withdrew before ejaculation.

The energy spent on this verse matters for billions of people who look to the Bible for sexual health education. What the reader will see in the following history of masturbation theology is the threat of divine death sentence and disease for self-stimulation. Specifically, according to numerous religious writers, any sexual arousal or transfer of semen except for conception may bring the same consequences for death as Onan received. One misused prooftexted verse of Scripture without support from the entirety of Biblical revelation created 3500 years of threat, violence, and sexual shame among people of faith.

The first part of the word masturbation derives from the Latin word, manus, meaning “hand.” The second part of the Latin term, disturbare, means to disturb, demolish, or destroy. Stupere connects to this word, meaning stupid or shameful. The Latin word masturbor then follows the meaning, “I shamefully defile myself, I masturbate.” The word masturbation appears in literature by 1711. First appearing in the 1620s, mastupration preceded the use of the term masturbation, (Etymonline, 2021, Etymologygeek, 2021).

The Evangelical Christian books Every Man’s Battle and Every Women’s Battle reflect thinking on genital self-stimulation from the 1990s. Arterburn (2001), the primary author for these books, reflects the cultural and Evangelical sexual politics of the era. Panic and crisis of the 1980s’ AIDS epidemic may have driven religious and political leaders to teach abstinence in favor of sexual health. Arterburn reflected, “Masturbation is a symptom of uncontrolled eyes and free racing thoughts” (Arterburn, p. 110). He counseled that masturbation ceases when a man can “bounce” his eyes and take his thoughts captive (Arterburn, p. 112). He stated that the only legitimate release from genital tension for a single man is the nocturnal emission. Arterburn did not permit men to masturbate, even though he admits the Bible does not speak to it. Ethridge, Arterburn’s female counterpart and coauthor of Every Woman’s Battle, too instructed her readers not to masturbate. She (2003) stated, “Believe it or not no one ever died from not having an orgasm…once the sin of masturbation does know you by name, it will call, and call and call” (Ethridge p. 40). Is it possible that Ethridge may have implied, “Believe it or not, some have died from an orgasm,” specifically Onan? Ethridge stated that treatment for masturbation is to “starve it to death” (Ethridge, p. 41). Neither Arterburn nor Ethridge believed genital self-stimulation was an acceptable practice, even though both admit the Bible gives no direction on the matter. 

The 19th and 20 centuries featured religious and medical practitioners contributing to the conversation of genital self-stimulation. Doctor John Harvey Kellogg of the Battle Creek Corn Flakes fame (February 26, 1852–December 14, 1943) passionately campaigned against genital self-stimulation. Kellogg legitimized his views by using medical language with citations proclaiming, “neither the plague, nor war, nor small pox, nor similar diseases, have produced results so disastrous to humanity as the pernicious habit of onanism,” according to his source Dr. Adam Clarke. Kellogg made strong warnings against masturbation claiming genital self-stimulation could be fatal, “such a victim literally dies by his own hand.” Kellogg believed the “solitary-vice” caused uterine cancer, urinary diseases, nocturnal emissions, impotence, epilepsy, insanity, mental and physical pathologies, and dimness of vision. In Plain Facts for Old and Young, Kellogg warns of the evils of sex perhaps believing sexuality itself to be evil. He crafted treatment plans to cure children from acting out in the “solitary vice”. Kellogg prescribed as means of masturbation prevention: restraining a child’s hands, protecting the genitals with patented cages preventing sexual contact, stitching the foreskin shut with wire, electrical shock, and circumcision without anesthesia. Kellogg himself underwent circumcision at the age of 37 (Kellogg, 1888). Kellogg presented detailed treatment plans to prevent genital self-stimulation.

A remedy which is almost always successful in small boys is circumcision, especially when there is any degree of phimosis. The operation should be performed by a surgeon without administering an anesthetic, as the brief pain attending the operation will have a salutary effect upon the mind, especially if it be connected with the idea of punishment, as it may well be in some cases. The soreness which continues for several weeks interrupts the practice, and if it had not previously become too firmly fixed, it may be forgotten and not resumed. Further, a method of treatment [to prevent masturbation] … and we have employed it with entire satisfaction. It consists in the application of one or more silver sutures in such a way as to prevent erection. The prepuce, or foreskin, is drawn forward over the glans, and the needle to which the wire is attached is passed through from one side to the other. After drawing the wire through, the ends are twisted together, and cut off close. It is now impossible for an erection to occur, and the slight irritation thus produced acts as a most powerful means of overcoming the disposition to resort to the practice. In females, the author has found the application of pure carbolic acid (phenol) to the clitoris an excellent means of allaying the abnormal excitement (pp. 294-296).

In Kellogg’s Ladies’ Guide in Health and Disease for nymphomania, he recommended “Cool baths; the cool enema; a spare diet; the application of blisters and other irritants to the sensitive parts of the sexual organs, the removal of the clitoris and nymphae” (Markel, p. 215).

Swiss physician Samuel-Auguste Tissot published L’Onanisme in 1760, a comprehensive medical treatise on the negative effects of genital self-stimulation to orgasm with ejaculation. Tissot believed that seminal fluid was an “essential oil” and “stimulus.” According to Tissot, the loss of semen in large amounts could cause, 

a perceptible reduction of strength, of memory and even of reason; blurred vision, all the nervous disorders, all types of gout and rheumatism, weakening of the organs of generation, blood in the urine, disturbance of the appetite, headaches and a great number of other disorders. (Stolberg, 2000)

In the 17 century, masturbation became synonymous with Onan in Genesis 38. Although different behaviors, Coitus interruptus and genital self-stimulation now become one idea (Etymonline, 2021). A 17th-century Puritan law code for the colonies of New Haven, Connecticut outlawed blasphemy, homosexuality, and genital self-stimulation. The consequence for offenders? The death penalty (Lawrence, p. 41).

Before masturbation terminology appeared in the 17th century early Christian church fathers contributed volumes of commentary. Many church authorities taught that genital self-stimulation was a secret sin, injurious, prohibited, and corrupt. In the 14th century AD, Jean Gerson, crafted a confessional manual entitled, On the Confession of Masturbation. Gerson’s manual directs clergy to, “insist that (male) penitents admit to the sin of masturbation, which…was deemed…even more serious sin than raping a nun, incest, or abducting and raping virgins and wives” (Chloe, 2010). 

Thomas Aquinas, 1225–1274 AD, scholastic of the Catholic Church authored the Summa Theologiae or Summa Theologica, The Summary of Theology. “The Summa” intended to instruct seminarians and literate church members. In Article 5, Aquinas argues for the sinfulness of dreams producing nocturnal emissions. 

Article 5. Whether nocturnal pollution is a mortal sin?

“Objection 1. It would seem that nocturnal pollution is a sin. For the same things are the matter of merit and demerit. Now a man may merit while he sleeps, as was the case with Solomon, who while asleep obtained the gift of wisdom from the Lord“ (1 Samuel 3:5). Therefore a man may demerit while asleep; and thus nocturnal pollution would seem to be a sin“ (Summa Theologica, 2021).

Beginning in the 11th century Pope Leo IX regarded genital self-stimulation as, “unnatural sex, murder, a diabolical practice, and the cause of two-thirds of all diseases and disorders including insanity, neurosis, and neurasthenia” (Patton, 1985).

Epiphanius of Salamis in 375 AD stated that certain Egyptian heretics “exercise genital acts, yet prevent the conceiving of children. Not in order to produce offspring, but to satisfy lust, are they eager for corruption” (Medicine Chest Against Heresies 26:5:2, 375 AD). Lactantius, advisor to Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, in the fourth century AD added, “God gave us eyes not to see and desire pleasure, but to see acts to be performed for the needs of life; so too, the genital [‘generating’] part of the body, as the name itself teaches, has been received by us for no other purpose than the generation of offspring” (Medicine Chest Against Heresies, 6:23:18). Clement of Alexandria in 191 AD stated that, “Because of its divine institution for the propagation of man, the seed is not to be vainly ejaculated, nor is it to be damaged, nor is it to be wasted, “ and, “To have coitus other than to procreate children is to do injury to nature” (The Instructor of Children 2:10:91:2; 2:10:95:3, 375 AD).

Christ does not speak on the matter of genital self-stimulation. Neither New Testament writers nor Old Testament authors rule on genital self-stimulation. Again, the primary Christian authoritative sources and accepted body of sacred literature do not regulate genital self-stimulation. The Old Testament passages connecting to transmission of seminal fluids can be found in the Levitical sexual hygiene code.

When a man has an emission of semen, he must bathe his whole body with water, and he will be unclean till evening. Any clothing or leather that has semen on it must be washed with water, and it will be unclean till evening…When a man has sexual relations with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both of them must bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening…These are the regulations for a man with a discharge, for anyone made unclean by an emission of semen. (Leviticus 15:16,17,18, 32)

Neither mandate nor commentary exists for genital self-stimulation in the entire Bible. The focus of transmission of fluids in Leviticus falls under the heading of hygiene and in this case sexual health hygiene. There are no death penalties in the Leviticus sexual hygiene code for the transmission of seminal fluids by any means.

Nature Immersion: The Creation Walk- Nature Immersion: The Creation Walk is an evidence-based therapeutic exercise founded on Scripture and the life of Christ.

Nature Immersion reflects a health and wellness initiative called Forest Bathing.  Forest Therapy, founded by Amos Clifford, of the Association for Nature and Forest Therapy, is the next generation of this treatment. Nature Immersion builds upon this evidence-based research using Scripture and prayer for faith based participants.

Forest Therapy with its Biblically-based counterpart, Nature Immersion, features a 2 hour gentle wander connecting to the image of God in nature. Participants will find this powerful stress management down regulates anxiety establishing prayer with reflection as transformational Christian disciplines. Studies show neurological effects are not only immediate, but also endure from one to 30 days. 

Today, Forest Bathing is embraced as a global disease-prevention phenomenon, with many organizations and practitioners offering guided experiences focusing on polyvagal sensory engagement within natural settings. This movement continues to highlight the importance of spending time in nature as a means to promote health and spiritual wholeness.

Over 2000 years ago, Jesus first modeled prayer and reflection in nature. Christ, baptized in the Jordan river by desert prophet, prayed and relied on Scripture while tested in the wilderness, transfigured on mountain summit, and then surrendered to divine will in an olive grove. Jesus then atoned for humankind’s sin by crucifixion on a tree. After three days, Christ rose from death in a garden for grieving loved ones. Do you see connections to the Genesis Creation and the life of Christ?

Scripture reflects the premier pleasure of God at Creation in the forest of Eden. The final scene in the Book of Revelation restores these same beautiful images to post-apocalypse survivors. The forests of Genesis and Revelation both border crystal waters healing humanity broken by trauma. Life-giving light radiates from the Creator of all things without whom only darkness reigns. 

Could nature serve as a “container” for the God of Genesis to transform the human heart? In this place of Eden pleasure healing leaves sprout, nurtured by life-giving waters, birthed in light created from the heart of God. Does it seem intuitive that nature is the place where the Gospel was first declared to humankind?

Though the Bible does not teach that nature is deity, the forest does reflect the image of God. Could the Creator of Genesis and Book of Revelation reconnect the broken places of the heart within nature’s beauty? 

The Holy Spirit connects to nature. The Spirit first appears in Genesis 1.1-2. The premier task…bring chaos-darkness to light. The beauty of this scene produces the forests to which is given the first commandment in Scripture, “sprout, grow, reproduce.… (Genesis 1:11)

What if the image of God within nature can assist to teach our children about health and safety?  Is it possible to connect to the Spirit of God among healing leaves and forest splendor? 

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,  their words to the ends of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4)

Does the Creation still pour forth the speech of God? Do the works of God in nature continue to speak today without words? Could it be nature is the Bible’s container for the Gospel?

 Nature Immersion: The Creation Walk

The Creation Walk literally breathes life into lungs of weary worshipers. This gentle 2 hour “wander” connects faith-based people to the God of Creation through His Word. Nature Immersion’s evidence-based techniques lower anxiety allowing the spiritual center of the brain to “come online”.

What to expect on the “Creation Walk”

1. The Creation Walk begins by introducing prayer with reflection.

Group Reflection

2. The 7 Intimacies connect the neurology of the brain with the body.

Group Reflection

4. Prompts for listening prayer with reflection wire the intimacy region of the brain called the insular cortex, which regulates the entire human system.

Group Reflection

5. Communion with Gratitude

Closing Group Reflections

Rape: Rape is sexual penetration without consent, often by force, coercion, or by taking advantage of an incapacitated person. Modern legal definitions have expanded to include various types of sexual penetration (oral, anal, and vaginal) and the use of objects, and are gender-neutral, recognizing both male and female victims and perpetrators. 

Key aspects of the defining rape

• Lack of consent: A person’s consent must be voluntary and can be negated by a lack of capacity to consent due to age, intoxication, or mental/physical incapacity.
• Force or coercion: This includes physical force, threats, or psychological coercion to overcome someone’s will.
• Incapacity: A person is unable to give consent if they are asleep, unconscious, drugged, or otherwise physically or mentally helpless.
• Age of consent: Engaging in sexual activity with someone below the legal age of consent is considered statutory rape, even if the person agrees.
• Broader scope: Updated definitions include various forms of sexual penetration, such as oral and anal sex, and the use of objects, not just penile-vaginal intercourse.
• Gender-neutral: The modern definition includes both male and female victims and perpetrators, which was not always the case in older definitions.
• Forced acts on others: Forcing someone else to penetrate a victim is also considered rape. 

Seven Intimacies of Genesis 1-4: The 7 intimacies of Creation are: Spiritual, beauty of the created order, rest, pleasure, compassionate presence, reconciliation, and sexually healthy intimacy. (Genesis 1-4) The insular cortex located in the pre frontal cortex is responsible for intimacy in relationships and associating people, places, things, sights, sounds, and smells. Intimacy is essential to bring a dissociated state to an associated state. We call this associated state, “online”.

Spirit: What do you notice about the wind?  On your skin? What do sense about your skin under your clothes?As you breathe in, what do you smell?  What taste do you notice in your mouth?

Gen 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

Beauty: What light do you see far away? What light do you notice nearest you?

Gen 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Rest:   What do you see moving furthest from you? What do you notice moving nearest you? What do you sense about your body’s motion? What do you notice about the tightness in your body? Do you sense your feet touching the ground? Do you feel gravity’s pull? What do you notice about the alignment of your hips, your spine, your neck?

Gen 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.

Pleasure: Take pleasure in a created being around you. What is the texture?

(Please see “created being” in the Key Vocabulary.)

Gen 2:8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden (Pleasure); and there he put the man he had formed.

Compassionate Presence: If a benevolent God made nature for you by His Word, what  message do you notice He might be speaking to you personally?

Gen 2:22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

Reconciliation: What do you notice about connection with the Creation? Do you sense wholeness and reconciliation? Do you notice any shame in the Creation?

Gen 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (covering their shame).

Creation: Do you see any created beings that touch your heart? Pick up as many as you wish.

Genesis 1:11 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so.

Gen 4:1 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.”

Sex Trafficking: Sex trafficking is the economically driven enslavery of men, women, and children for sexual gratification. The sex trade formed a major economic piece of ancient Near Eastern culture called, “sexeconomy”. In the Sumerian era 1750 BCE religious actors coerced children, men, and women into places of worship for “sacred sex trafficking”. The Old and New Testaments of the Bible feature extensive trafficking references over 1500 years of authorship. The sacred sex trade devoted food, human sacrifice, and money in places of worship to appease deities and fund institutions. The sex trade of the ancient Near East also involved secular sex workers many of whom were trafficked by slave owners.

Mt. Vesuvius entombed thousands of Pompeii’s residents in a pyroclastic cloud of debris in the first century CE. Thermal ash both buried and preserved the shapes of 1150 bodies and structures with their artwork in the apocalypse.  25 distinct brothels have been excavated in the ancient city of Pompeii’s 10,000-20,000 inhabitants. Inscriptions on buildings and streets reveal penises pointing potential customers to the largest brothel called, “The Wolf Den”.  Two stories tall with ten rooms, frescoes featured erotic images and graffiti etched with customer reviews.  Small windowless rooms painted with pornographic images offered menus of service with pricing for various forms of intercourse. Pompeii’s brothels prove the existence of the first century secular sex trade distinct from temple cults.

Sex trade workers were often trafficked slaves or lower income women. 80% of female sex workers’ names inscribed on the Wolf Den’s walls appear to have been trafficked slaves. This means the ancient world consisted of at least two kinds of sex trafficking. The sacred sex trade involved religious institutions with religious worship.  The secular sex industry featured brothels like the Wolf Den distinct from temple cults. Both the religious and secular sex trades shared common ground of trafficking slaves and the very poor. The trade of selling humans founded the sexeconomy of both sacred priests and sex industry entrepreneurs. (Pompittours)

The Bible cites numerous citations for the sexual safety of children. Leviticus prohibits trafficking family members into the sex trade. Leviticus 19:29 commands parents not to traffic their daughters for sex. Tannehil makes the case that trafficking a child was more affordable than paying an expensive marriage dowry. (Note too the use of the trigger term, chaw-LAWL, often connecting a decline in sexual health and safety. Chaw-LAWL first appears in the sexual health decline snap shot of Genesis 6. The underlying reason for annihilation of humankind by flood in Genesis 7-9 is global sexual trauma.) (Gen 6:1; Strong, h2490) The prophets of both Old and New Testaments speak against trafficking boys, girls, and adults.

Lev 19:29

“ ‘Do not degrade (chaw-LAWL) your daughter by making her a prostitute (zah-NAH, sex traffic), or the land will turn to prostitution (sex trafficking) and be filled with wickedness.

Approximately 1000 years after Moses, the Prophet Joel speaks to the sexeconomy of trafficking children.

Joe 3:3

They cast lots for my people and traded boys for prostitutes (zah-NAH); they sold girls for wine to drink.

In the first century CE Paul the Apostle and John the scribe of Revelation repeat similar concern. 

1Ti 1:10

..for the sexually immoral (POR-nos, male sex traffickers), for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders (human traffickers) and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine….

Rev 18:11-13

“The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore—…cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.

The phrase “human beings sold as slaves” literally means, “selling human flesh and the souls of men.”

Trafficking provided a sexeconomy not only for the secular sex trade, but also “substantial part of the temple’s income” (Tannehill, 1980, p. 79). The business of the sacred sex trade provided tremendous profit to religious institutions. The sexeconomy coerced sex workers to perform for more money. One sex worker named Metiche, with the stage name, Clepsydra-stop watch, streamlined length of customer intercourse for greater income. (Tannehill, 1980, p. 100). King Solomon posted the greatest economic growth in Israel’s history. The emperor also introduced the sexeconomy of Ashtoreth, known as Asherah, with its history of sex trafficking. 300 years after Solomon introduced Israel to the sacred sex trade of his wives, King Josiah’s reform removed the quarters for sex trafficked males from the temple in Jerusalem. 

1Ki 11:5-8

He (Solomon) followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done.  On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods.

2Ki 23:7

He (Josiah) also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes that were in the temple of the LORD, the quarters where women did weaving for Asherah. 

The Hebrew language uses gendered words for sex trade income. Female earnings are called eth-NAWN. (Strong, h868) The specific sex trade term for male income is meh-CHERE. (Strong, h4242)

Deu 23:18

You must not bring the earnings of a female prostitute (eth-NAWN) or of a male prostitute  (meh-CHERE) into the house of the LORD your God to pay any vow, because the LORD your God detests them both.

The majority use of the porn word group in the Bible points to trafficking of humans for the sexeconomy of religious cults.  This may assist parents as they speak to their children about pornography.  Restoring the image of God in Christ to human sexuality may treat human trafficking and erotic media of the porn industry. Is it possible objectification and dehumanization form the common ground of trafficking and pornography? Could the beauty of God’s image redeem dehumanization and objectification of erotic media? Can this conversation with our families begin to replace pornography as the primary educator for children’s sexual health?

Sexual Neuropathways: There are 5 neuropathways wiring the most powerful network in human anatomy, the sexual system. The Prefrontal Cortex regulates sexuality with reason, compassion, awareness, and spirituality.  The second pathway transfers dopamine in the attraction system. The third neuropathway connects attachment through oxytocin and vasopressin. Oxytocin is responsible for bonding sensations. Vasopressin assists with long-term relationships.  The fourth neuropathway transfers hormones of testosterone and estrogen. These transfers can last over a week.  The fifth pathway is the adrenaline network. Adrenaline transfers during orgasm and is responsible for ejaculatory inevitability.

Sexual Nihilism: Sexual nihilism is the philosophy that sexuality has no values and nothing can be truthfully known or communicated. Nihilism connects with extreme pessimism and radical skepticism condemning existence. A true nihilist believes in nothing, has no loyalties, and whose purpose and impulse is to destroy.  Nihilism is associated with Friedrich Nietzsche who projected its destructive effects would undermine moral, religious, and metaphysical convictions thus creating the greatest crisis in human history. In the 20th century, nihilistic value destruction, and purposelessness have preoccupied arts and media.  By the end of the 20th century, existential despair transitioned to indifference, as seen in increased suicide statistics across all age groups, school shootings without national prevention policies, and increasing opioid fatalities.  A sexual nihilist would then have no sexual boundaries, no loyalties, no purpose, and present a destructive pattern in sexual relationships (Pratt, 2021).

Sexually Transmitted Infections: The local economy impacting Abraham suffers downturn. Anxious, Abraham moves his family south to recession resistant Egypt. Abraham feels the immediate threat of Egyptian sexual politics. He states to his wife, Sarah, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ They will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you” (Genesis 12:11–13). 

Abraham understood the sexual politics of Pharaoh. Egyptian royalty operated sovereignly, holding themselves as deities. Forcefully taking eligible child-bearing women for the royal harem was not unknown. One common thread in unhealthy sexuality snapshots is the consequences of infidelity, which may be a teaching illustration for children about sexually transmitted infections. The ancient Near Eastern explanation of sexually transmitted infections assigned divine punishment for sexual misconduct. Pharaoh takes Sarah as a sexual partner for his harem. The royal household immediately suffers disease, “But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharoah and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarah” (Genesis 12:17). Ancient Egyptian medical papyri describe numerous disorders, including sexually transmitted infections. The Kahun papyri of 1900 BCE lists impotence, irritated genitals, the labia being “ill”, prolapsed uterus, and venereal disease. Although ancient physicians did not comprehend the science of sexual transmitted infections, the Akkadians assessed that testicular abscesses originated from “being in bed with a woman” (Tannahil, p. 65). 

The Biblical writer charges God as the source of the disease because Pharaoh took Sarah, a married woman, as bride. Ascribing natural consequences to God is a frequent literary device called a causation idiom. Humankind in the ancient Near East interpreted all disasters and disease as originating from deities. After perhaps suffering a sexually transmitted infection, Pharaoh releases Sarah, and Abraham returns to his homeland richer. Abraham uses this method of self-preservation again, resulting in sexual disease of another royal, King Abimelek, in Genesis 20:2.

Shutdown: PTSD literature has long identified the parasympathetic response to trauma called “shutdown”.

Porge uses the term polyvagal theory to describe this phenomenon in the human system.

Polyvagal shutdown is a state of prefrontal cortex disabling triggered by the dorsal vagal nerve when the body experiences real or perceived threat. This protective mechanism, acts as last resort when fight-or-flight responses are insufficient. It’s characterized by a drop in heart rate, respiration, low energy, dissociation, and feelings of disconnection or numbness. 

Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, outlines a hierarchy of nervous system states: 

• Ventral Vagal State: .
  This is a state of prefrontal cortex activity is characterized by calm, relaxed breathing, and a sense of connection to oneself and others.
  
• Sympathetic State: .
  The fight-or-flight response, triggers by perceived danger followed by increased heart rate, breathing, and alertness. 
  
• Dorsal Vagal State (Shutdown): .
  When fight-or-flight is not possible, the dorsal vagal nerve activates, leading to shutdown or immobilization. 
  

In dorsal vagal shutdown, the body conserves energy and reduces pain perception by: 

• Decreasing heart rate and breathing thus reducing the body’s metabolic demands. 
  
• Dissociation involves a feeling of detachment from the body or surroundings. When sexual trauma triggers shutdown, the brain is unable to process sexual health content.
  
• Numbness and emotional detachment manifest as a lack of feeling or a sense of disconnection from awareness, compassion, and reason relating to sexual health content.
  
• The body conserves energy by reducing activity levels with feelings of fatigue.
  
• Digestive problems, nausea, or changes in pain perception may occur.

In this work the disabling of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in shutdown, prevents processing of sexual health content.