I think that I will keep my thoughts here pretty short. I have chosen to lump together a pretty diverse group of topics. Sexuality includes sexual identity, homosexuality, pornography, sexual expression, masturbation, sexual addiction, and more. The issues surrounding each of these topics are unique and fairly specific. Additionally, I know how personal people feel about these topics. Whether it is because of their political opinions regarding homosexual marriage or because of potential shame related to masturbation, sexuality is so core to our identity as people that it also represents so much that defines us as human. A third reason I want to keep my thoughts fairly short is because I actually don’t know how I feel about many of these issues and I am not sure that I want to. For example, scripture addresses sexuality from a cultural experience that is unique. I am not suggesting that writers were influenced by what was culturally accepted, but that what sexuality meant two and three thousand years ago was very different. For example, when addressing homosexuality the issue was motivated more by the hyper sexuality of the Roman Empire and worship to pagan gods through temple prostitutes than two individuals in a committed, same sex relationship. This is not to suggest that the writers of scripture would feel that homosexuality in contemporary culture would be acceptable, but that the primary motivation for addressing this issue was different. And even if they would feel it was wrong, I am not convinced they would have been right. Jesus seemed to deliberately avoid these topics for a reason. My point being, I am just not sure what is “right” or “wrong” here. I want to be open to certain areas of not knowing. Finally, I am just giving my opinion. No grand argument for or against.
That stated, I feel that I actually hold a fairly conservative perspective on most of these issues. For example: (1) Homosexuality- While I believe that homosexuality is not a hindrance toward spiritual maturity and sanctification, that many homosexuals are vibrant leaders in the Christian community, and that homosexuals should have all the rights and protections available to heterosexuals, I also believe that contemporary, liberal culture is less concerned about truth than about advocacy. This cultural perspective inhibits honest and productive discourse within the Church causing churches to either support with the value of acceptance or reject with the value of integrity. This for or against perspective makes it difficult to discuss. And (2) Masturbation- While I don’t feel that masturbation is wrong in anyway and that it is motivated by many things, as a married man who finds satisfaction in being able to give my whole self to my wife, I feel that masturbation is inherently selfish and programs the individual to approach sex as a selfish activity. This is not to argue that is should even be discouraged, but that the current cultural acceptance of it works against intimacy.
Despite the array of topics that sexuality covers and my equally diverse views on these topics, there is a common belief that runs through them. Much like my views on how the Church is responding to environmental issues by responding to secular environmentalism, I am afraid that the Church is responding to issues related to sexuality from a reactionary perspective. Either positions are held because of stanch adherence to religious doctrine, positions are flipped because it wants to convey the message it holds to core theological values more, or tangential arguments are engaged in to avoid the real issue. And this reactionary position appears to be the best case scenario. For most people, theological positions regarding sexual issues are more about using a religious position to justify their own independent belief. In Matthew 5:17 Jesus said that he did not come to abolish the Law of the Prophets, but to fulfill it. I believe what that means is that Jesus was getting pressure to claim that he was bringing a new message. While the covenant was new, it was not a new message. In the ways that matter most, Jesus was restoring an old message while building on the positives that had evolved in culture. Engaging in conversations regarding sexual issues in Christian circles is rarely engaged in from a “building on” approach. The integrity of the New Covenant existed because it was proactive and built on the wisdom of corporate experiences, refining of generations, revelation of God, and independent reflection.
But this entry is about what I believe. I believe that if I am going to become the “knight of faith” that I desire to become that I have to engage in the same approach to dealing with these issues. I have to be open to what culture is teaching us while holding to what I have always been. I have to be open to the wisdom of those I admire while seeking revelation from God. In shaping my beliefs on any of these issues related to sexuality that must be open to learning new things without rejecting what I have already learned. So, I believe most Christians are more progressive on sexual issues than what they claim is their theological position and that that this is a good thing. While the most conservative of faiths have much to teach us about the value of modesty and self control, that must be balanced with (not replaced by) more progressive attitudes. I believe that in all topics related to sexuality the goal is intimacy with others and self awareness, not repression, guilt, or endulgence. Often our own pleasures mislead us in this journey and that we need to be open to the accountability of our community and prophecy of our broader community, but that the journey is always going to be messy.
That stated, I feel that I actually hold a fairly conservative perspective on most of these issues. For example: (1) Homosexuality- While I believe that homosexuality is not a hindrance toward spiritual maturity and sanctification, that many homosexuals are vibrant leaders in the Christian community, and that homosexuals should have all the rights and protections available to heterosexuals, I also believe that contemporary, liberal culture is less concerned about truth than about advocacy. This cultural perspective inhibits honest and productive discourse within the Church causing churches to either support with the value of acceptance or reject with the value of integrity. This for or against perspective makes it difficult to discuss. And (2) Masturbation- While I don’t feel that masturbation is wrong in anyway and that it is motivated by many things, as a married man who finds satisfaction in being able to give my whole self to my wife, I feel that masturbation is inherently selfish and programs the individual to approach sex as a selfish activity. This is not to argue that is should even be discouraged, but that the current cultural acceptance of it works against intimacy.
Despite the array of topics that sexuality covers and my equally diverse views on these topics, there is a common belief that runs through them. Much like my views on how the Church is responding to environmental issues by responding to secular environmentalism, I am afraid that the Church is responding to issues related to sexuality from a reactionary perspective. Either positions are held because of stanch adherence to religious doctrine, positions are flipped because it wants to convey the message it holds to core theological values more, or tangential arguments are engaged in to avoid the real issue. And this reactionary position appears to be the best case scenario. For most people, theological positions regarding sexual issues are more about using a religious position to justify their own independent belief. In Matthew 5:17 Jesus said that he did not come to abolish the Law of the Prophets, but to fulfill it. I believe what that means is that Jesus was getting pressure to claim that he was bringing a new message. While the covenant was new, it was not a new message. In the ways that matter most, Jesus was restoring an old message while building on the positives that had evolved in culture. Engaging in conversations regarding sexual issues in Christian circles is rarely engaged in from a “building on” approach. The integrity of the New Covenant existed because it was proactive and built on the wisdom of corporate experiences, refining of generations, revelation of God, and independent reflection.
But this entry is about what I believe. I believe that if I am going to become the “knight of faith” that I desire to become that I have to engage in the same approach to dealing with these issues. I have to be open to what culture is teaching us while holding to what I have always been. I have to be open to the wisdom of those I admire while seeking revelation from God. In shaping my beliefs on any of these issues related to sexuality that must be open to learning new things without rejecting what I have already learned. So, I believe most Christians are more progressive on sexual issues than what they claim is their theological position and that that this is a good thing. While the most conservative of faiths have much to teach us about the value of modesty and self control, that must be balanced with (not replaced by) more progressive attitudes. I believe that in all topics related to sexuality the goal is intimacy with others and self awareness, not repression, guilt, or endulgence. Often our own pleasures mislead us in this journey and that we need to be open to the accountability of our community and prophecy of our broader community, but that the journey is always going to be messy.
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