Biblical Sexuality - Introduction
Sexual Confusion
Sexuality is a huge issue in the world today (and always has been).
Toxic masculinity asserts (either overtly or by implication) that men's comfort is more important that women's safety. The people have largely responded to movements like #MeToo with scorn and distrust.
On the other extreme, toxic femininity asserts (again, either overtly or by implication) that men as a whole should be punished either for the crimes of a few today or the attitudes of many in the past. At both extremes as well as between them, anger, hurt, and emotions abound.
We see this struggle also in the quest of many today to find meaning in life as a member of the opposite sex, whether that be through a sex-change operation or simply dressing and living as a member of the opposite sex.
Unfortunately, it seems as we observe the world around us that, regarding the matter of sexuality, the overwhelming majority of people find themselves in a state of confusion. Others insist that there are no answers and that we must each decide what is best for ourselves.
Even more unfortunate is the fact that the church has done little to help the issue. As Roger Sonnenberg noted,
On the other extreme, toxic femininity asserts (again, either overtly or by implication) that men as a whole should be punished either for the crimes of a few today or the attitudes of many in the past. At both extremes as well as between them, anger, hurt, and emotions abound.
We see this struggle also in the quest of many today to find meaning in life as a member of the opposite sex, whether that be through a sex-change operation or simply dressing and living as a member of the opposite sex.
Unfortunately, it seems as we observe the world around us that, regarding the matter of sexuality, the overwhelming majority of people find themselves in a state of confusion. Others insist that there are no answers and that we must each decide what is best for ourselves.
Even more unfortunate is the fact that the church has done little to help the issue. As Roger Sonnenberg noted,
"The church has remained silent. Over the years, the church has, to its disgrace and shame, ignored the God-given gift of human sexuality, except to periodically shout from the pulpit ‘thou shalt not.’" [1]
What is the solution to this epidemic of ignorance and agnosticism regarding sexuality? Truth. While speaking about those who are enslaved to sin and sinful thinking, Jesus said:
"If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32And so, we begin our journey to find the truth regarding sexuality. Biblical Sexuality is not merely God's opinion on sexuality, but since He created both humans and their sexuality, His is the only correct perspective on sexuality. So, what is the teaching of the Word of God regarding this issue?
Why This Topic?
At the school where I teach, I recently did an optional chapel workshop entitled "Biblical Sexuality." As intimidating as that title is, there were natural few initial takers. As the week-long presentation continued, however, more and more students trickled in.
During my presentation, I made the case that sexuality (which I defined as "the nature and function of genders and sexual behavior") is a mess in our world today because it has no solid foundation on which to stand. The various cultural movements associated with this issue and the intense and sometimes violent controversies that crop up around them are evidence of the confused state of many people regarding what sexuality is and how it should look.
The fact that my workshop was entitled "Biblical Sexuality" reveals right away that my intent was to analyze this area of life from the perspective of Scripture, which I did. by Biblical, I mean that which God’s inspired, inerrant Word teaches about the matter aside from personal, cultural, or pragmatic bias. Where else would we look for guidance on this issue than in Scripture? After all,
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
My first several posts will be a reformatting of my chapel workshop to the medium of a blog. I anticipate being able to complete the series in about eight posts, but we'll see how that plan goes. Either way, this issue is so deep that we could spend the rest of our lives probing and applying its depths.
My four questions are:
1. Roger Sonnenberg, Human Sexuality
All Scripture references come from the ESV
What Will It Look Like?
My discussion will follow the pattern of asking four questions and then dealing with four issues (each of which will be contained in a separate post).My four questions are:
- What is a human?
- What is gender?
- What is marriage?
- What is sex?
- Sexism
- LGBTQ+
- Clothing
- Singleness
My hope is that by the end of this study I will have equipped you who read this blog with a foundation of what God says about this sensitive and important issue, and that you will be empowered to interact with the issues surrounding it in love and wisdom.
Disclaimer
Oh, and by the way: don't take anything I come up with in these posts as being gospel truth unless it comes straight from the pages of Scripture. Our lives should be a constant process of growing and changing and reshaping our beliefs to be more like what God reveals in His Word.
Make sure you practice what the Apostle Paul praised the Jews in Berea for when he said that they were better than others since they checked his teaching against Scripture.
Make sure you practice what the Apostle Paul praised the Jews in Berea for when he said that they were better than others since they checked his teaching against Scripture.
"Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." Acts 17:11Sources:
1. Roger Sonnenberg, Human Sexuality
All Scripture references come from the ESV
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