the intimate activity of a male and female associated with reproduction.
- There is no specific word for "sex" in the bible. But a number of expressions, such as “know,"and “lie with,"indicate sexual intercourse. Despite the indirect vocabulary, sex plays a significant role in many biblical stories, intercourse is carefully regulated in the Old Testament Law, and a clear attitude toward human sexuality is evident in the scriptures.
- The creation story ascribes the origin of sex to God, who created human beings male and female and, before the fall, encouraged Adam and Eve to be fruitful and to increase in number" (Gen 1:28). In Gen 2:24 Adam and Eve are united sexually, to become one, in their shared life on earth. The rest of scripture reflects the positive attitude toward sex within marriage implied in early Genesis. Sex is a source of joy and pleasure for a loving couple. It is a powerful unifying experience, deepening the bond of commitment that is to exist between husband and wife. Sex is also the means by which a union miraculously produces new life, blending the genetic contribution of husband and wife to produce a unique, new human being who is neither his not hers but truly theirs. In each of these functions, sex is viewed as a good and gracious gift of God.
- Sex has a powerful impact on the human personality itself. The bible insists that marriage is the only context within which sexual intercourse can be either beneficial or right. Human beings are called on to accept this fact, and to exercise self-control rather than to be controlled your sexual passions
- Society is only now beginning to understand tragic distortion of the human personality that takes place when incest, rape, or other sexual crimes are committed. Yet many stories in the bible illustrate how failure to exercise sexual self-control leads to personal and interpersonal disaster. Among such stories are Shechem’s rape of Dinah and the subsequent murder of all in his Hivite city by Dinah’s bothers (Gen 34); David’s passion for Bathsheba, which led him to arrange for the death of her husband, Uriah (2 Sam 11); and Amnon’s rape of his half-sister Tamar, and his own murder by her brother, Absalom (2 Sam 13). In each of these incidents, sex, which God intended to promote love and unity, was misused. In its misuse, sex spawned hatred, injustice, and even more terrible sins. Within marriage sex can promote harmony. Outside of marriage sex is harmful as well as wrong.
- It is the unmistakable position of scripture that sexuality, a powerful positive force enriching human experience within the bond of marital commitment, is a powerful a negative force distorting and corrupting human experience outside of the bond. Thus it is doubly important for individuals and for society to take a stand with scripture, and prohibit those sexual acts, which Good’s word proscribes. Sexual activities which are clearly an specifically condemned in the bible include: adultery and fornication (Ex 20:14: 22:16) prostitution (Lev 18:6-18: Deut 23:17,18): homosexuality (Lev 18:22: 20:13; Rom1:26,27); incest ( Lev 18:6-18; Deut 27:20); bestiality (Lev 18:23; 20:15,16).
- The Old Testament never trivializes sex by using graphic or earthy terminology for sexual organs or sex acts. The same sensitivity to the mystery of human sexuality is maintained in the New Testament, in such phrases as Paul’s reference to “parts that are unpresentable" and thus “treated with special modesty?(1 Cor 13: 23), to the statement in Hebrews that the marriage “bed"is undefiled (Heb 13:4). At the same time New Testament writers are not embarrassed by human sexuality. Paul, who chose not to marry, is well aware that sex is important within marriage. He tells married couples not to deprive each other of sex."Except by mutual consent and for a [limited] time?(1 Cor 7:5) when they feel a need to concentrate on fasting and prayer. Young windows and virgins moved by strong sexual urges should no hesitate to marry (1 Cor 7:36-40; 1 Tim 5:11-15). Paul, even goes so far, as to call the teachings of those who forbid people to marry?doctrines of devils?(1Tim 4:1-3). Paul does, however, encourage believers to consider celibacy as a valid alternative life-style to marriage. Celibacy. God created marital love to be received with thanksgiving, while giving unrestricted rein to sexual desires in sinful and harmful as well. The full enjoyment of our sexual nature within marriage is beneficial and right.
