Interfaith Talk @ MMU Melaka

Some people claim that Scripture only prohibits exploitive relationships, such as homosexual rape, the abuse of a social inferior, or pederasty (the sexual abuse of boys by men).

The problem with this argument is that the ancient world and biblical writers were certainly aware of homosexual relationships between equals that were as stable as might be expected of such relationships today.

The Greeks of the classic period, for example, generally had a rigidly patriarchal culture that by modern standards badly denigrated women. Even aristocratic women were mostly illiterate and were viewed by husbands as bearers of heirs and managers of households rather

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Israel’s neighbors practiced human sacrifice along with ritual bestiality, homosexuality, and promiscuity. Apparently, the most socially accepted form of homosexual behavior was male ritual prostitution,¹ but homosexuality also occurred in brutal forms. Just as prisoners commonly rape other men in U.S. prisons as an expression of dominance, male prisoners of war were often raped as a symbol of their abasement and humiliation. Few legal codes of that period have survived to modern times. One code that did survive—the middle Assyrian laws—seemed to consider it intrinsically degrading for a man to be sexually

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It’s true that most Christians believe that infants killed before or during birth (as is the case in “partial birth abortion”) go to heaven.¹ However, this no more justifies the killing of unborn (or “partially born”) infants than it justifies the killing of older infants. Matthew doesn’t describe Herod’s killing of the infant boys in Bethlehem as less of a tragedy because they might not go to hell. To the contrary, Matthew viewed Herod’s atrocity as a fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy:

“A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more” (Matthew 2:18 NIV).

Nor does the belief that infants who die will probably go to heaven imply that Christians in some “brave, new world” should be less

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It isn’t the “Christian ethic” that “denies the sexual experiences and fulfillment to single people that married people enjoy.” It is reality. The Bible and the Christian ethic are based on physiological and psychological fact. Single people engaging in sex can’t possibly experience the same things that married people are capable of experiencing, either in terms of personal pleasure or fulfillment. What they experience is different and destructive, and the Bible rightfully warns of its destructiveness.

The Scriptures make it clear that sexual intimacy is not something to be entered into lightly. (See the ATQ: Why shouldn’t sex be casual and “just for fun”?) Because the natural design of sexual intimacy is to mold two individual people in their physical, emotional, and spiritual entirety into “one flesh,” the uncommitted sexual intimacy of two single people can never be like the sexual

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It is easy to read the biblical prohibitions against having sexual relations outside of marriage and conclude that God is against sex and any form of sexual pleasure ( Exodus 20:14; Proverbs 5:1-6;6:23-29; Matthew 5:27-28;15:16-20; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; Colossians 3:5-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:2-7; Hebrews 13:4 ). Further, many sermons on the topic of sex inevitably focus exclusively on the “don’ts” of sexuality. From these sources, we might get the impression that sex is an evil passion that God hates and that Christians must avoid. But this is not the case.

God is not against sex. He doesn’t view sexual desire as an unhealthy passion that Christians must despise, disable, or deny. In fact, He sees it as a healthy passion to be honored and enjoyed. In the right context, sex is delightful,

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It’s important to understand that the Bible neither advocates birth control nor condemns it. The Bible was written long before modern methods such as a vasectomy or tubal ligation were developed. Consequently, its silence cannot be used to argue for or against birth control.

One viewpoint that some try to use to argue against the use of birth control is that God will limit the number of children when He decides we have enough. This way of thinking, however, seems to border more on presumption than faith. Faith advocates

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Because it was the Creator’s intention that human beings have the freedom to make their own decisions, everyone has to come to terms with the basic issues of life. One of these issues is that outside of certain bounds some of the most profoundly pleasurable and meaningful things can become the most destructive.

The emotions connected with human sexuality are so powerful and multi-faceted that we can only begin to describe them. The complementary spiritual and physiological components of male and female find unique fulfillment and intimacy here. Significantly, this profound experience provides the context for the conception of new human life.

Tragically, some in every generation make the sensations of sex the goal of the experience. They neglect the legitimate bounds for sexual

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Sex is not only a hot topic in our culture, it’s also on the minds of most couples in love. It’s a natural, God-given desire — a gift intended to give us pleasure and express our intimacy.

But did God have a plan in mind for sex? What are the freedoms and guidelines? Let’s look at Scripture to find some answers to these questions.

First, God intended sex to be enjoyed between a man and a woman in marriage. God created Eve for Adam because Adam needed a mate comparable to him. He needed companionship, relationship, and

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Of course, sex is necessary for the propagation of the race. But while we are to “be fruitful and increase in number” (Genesis 1:28), sex is not merely limited to the procreation of the human species.

Sexual intimacy is designed to reflect the beautiful mystery and intimate union between God and His people ( Ephesians 5:25 ). God gave us sex to arouse and satisfy our innate craving for intimacy, for union ( Genesis 1:24-25 ). A couple who enjoys emotional, relational, and spiritual intercourse with one another will be drawn to celebrate their love through sexual intimacy. That’s why

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Sexuality and individuality are sacred gifts. Although nudity is necessary under certain special circumstances, as when a person is examined by a physician¹ or taking a shower in a locker room, indiscriminate nudity is degrading.

Humans were created as image-bearers of God. Although we share many characteristics with the animal world, we have been entrusted

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