(You may access the lecture link here.)
One question concerned the Marriage of a Lumad Woman at fourteen years old. Marriage was a huge change for me at age twenty-five, I am glad I’d waited! There are several layers/aspects to be discussed about this Wedding, & your Lecturer was correct to re-emphasize Kaplan’s 6 Stages!
Let me respond legally, culturally, and Biblically to this event. Legally (perhaps the easiest): I believe Philippine Law Codes will permit Lumad to proceed according to their Law/Custom! Most cultures have “Rites of Passage” celebrating when a Child is considered an Adult, I’m sure this girl was regarded as a Woman within the established practices [unless she was already pregnant]!
When in Junior High School, I remember reading in The World Almanac that legal age of marriage in New Hampshire [USA: this is set by State Law, not by Federal Law] was THIRTEEN (although both Parental & Judge’s CONSENT was Required)! Again, Judge would permit so that a baby was not a “Bastard“!
Demographically, it might be relevant to consider Average Life-Expectancy within the Lumad population & whether or not that Tribal Population is growing OR decreasing, at a dangerous rate.
There is a “third rail” in Mindanao, Muslims cannot oppose any such marriages, since their ‘Prophet’ married 4-year-old Aisha! (see any article on “Aisha” for the facts/controversy). For Christians to oppose that Lumad marriage might help Islam.
So, since the Lumad Culture allows such a marriage, HOW should Christians respond? Roman Catholics frequently view the Virgin Mary as about 13 years old when she heard Angel Gabriel’s News. Christians still have TWO Sets of Vows for a proper Marriage: Betrothal Vows [“I WILL“] & then Wedding Vows [“I DO“]! Joseph & Mary had made the First Set (Future Tense), but had not yet taken the Second Set (Present Tense) for “Co-Habiting“!
Jewish Tradition held that a Child became an Adult at about 12 [years old]. That’s why Jesus first had to make a Pilgrimage to The Temple in Jerusalem when He had turned 12 (Luke 2:41–52, Deut. 16:16)! This is still their pattern (see Bar Mitzvah/Bat Mitzvah Rites)! Many other Cultures wait for “Menarche” (girl-> woman rituals).
In Today’s USA, a weird debate exists: Whether or not MEN can get Pregnant! & a Supreme Court Justice cannot define a “Woman” is! Therefore, I wouldn’t want such idiots imposing Laws on Tribals!
I began teaching at BHTS after several Missions to various MANOBO Communities [Agusan, Bukidnon, & Cotobato].
After significant evangelistic success, the Mindanao Association of Manobo Churches was formed, to promote the Gospel, but also to settle disputes which might arise in Indigenization! The Wise Elders who lead this denomination (more than 50 missions) are following a tremendous BIBLICAL PRECEDENT! Acts 15 tells how the young Christian Church settled disputes, gathering the Apostles & Elders to set the Guide for all Gentile Christians. This is a wonderful & Biblical Guide for ALL our Indigenization! These Evangelized Elders are the proper group to guide Practice.
Again, Congratulations on BHTS’ Anniversary! Keep up the Good Work!
About the Author
Dr. David E. Upp is a Bachelor of Arts Majors in Linguistics, Anthropology, German, and Behavioral Science graduate at Rice University, Houston Texas. He holds a Master of Theology (Cum Laude) from Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas. He has three doctoral degrees from three different institutions; these include a Doctor of Ministry (Homiletics and Bible) from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, a Ph.D. in Bible from the Americal Bible College in Bethany, Oklahoma, and a Doctor of Divinity from Master’s International Divinity School in Evanston, Indiana.
Dr. David currently teaches Biblical Studies, Biblical Theology, and Biblical Languages at Bishop Han Theological Seminary. He also teaches in a few other seminaries and institutions in different countries.
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