Hi Chick,
You wrote, "In 1 Corinthians, Paul gave permission for a man to marry his own daughter."
You are referring to the Scripture passage found in 1 Corinthians 7:36-38. Yes, some have been confused about Paul's intent in that passage -- but, it was not to give permission for a father to marry his own daughter. First, let's look at this passage in several popular Bible translations:
1 Corinthians 7:36-38 (nasb), "But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry. But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well. So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better."
1 Corinthians 7:36-38 (nkjv), "But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. So then he who gives [her] in marriage does well, but he who does not give [her] in marriage does better."
1 Corinthians 7:36-38 (kjv),"But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of [her] age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. So then he that giveth [her] in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth [her] not in marriage doeth better."
This is what Pastor David Guzik, Director of Calvary Chapel Bible College, Germany, writes in his Study Guide for 1 Corinthians 7- "Principles Regarding Marriage and Singleness."
http://www.blueletterbible.org...ians&ar=1Cr_7_36
4. (36-38) Paul deals with another question from the Corinthians: should I arrange a marriage for my daughter?
But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.
a. If any man thinks he is behaving improperly towards his virgin: The man Paul refers to is the father of a young woman or man of marrying age (his virgin). The behaving improperly has nothing to do with any kind of improper moral behavior, but with denying his daughter or son the right to marry, based on Paul’s valuing of singleness.
i. Remember that in this ancient culture, a young person’s parents had the primary responsibility for arranging their marriage. So, based on what Paul has already taught, should a Christian father recommend celibacy to his child?
ii. The term virgin includes the young of both sexes.
b. Let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry: Paul says it is not wrong for a father to allow his young daughter to marry, even allowing for the desirability of singleness at the present time.
c. But, because singleness does have its benefits, Paul will recommend it, not only to individuals, but also to fathers in regard to the marrying off of their daughters.
d. He who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better: For Paul, the choice between married and single was not the choice between good and bad, but between better and best. And for Paul, and the present circumstances, he regarded singleness as best.
So, Chick, I still hold the belief that incest was forbidden by God in the Law He gave to Israel through Moses.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill