Creation-Based Sexuality

EDENIC SEXUALITY

"...male and female He created them."

The following are links to articles we believe merit reading. Sadly, conservative, biblical scholarship in the field of Creation-based sexuality appears to have largely taken place in response to contemporary efforts to deconstruct traditional Christian teachings (both biblical and unbiblical), during the last quarter of the 20th and beginning of the 21st century.

To date, the conservative, evangelical, 25-years in the making, work of Richard M. Davidson, Professor at Andrews University, appears to set the standard for a "wholistic theology of sexuality."

His work is encyclopedic in breath, 658 pages, plus an additional 186 pages of: bibliography, and indexes to authors list, subjects, and ancient sources. To my knowledge, this is the most comprehensive piece of scholarship ever produced on the subject. Recommendation of Mr. Davidson's work does NOT constitute either a 'blanket' endorsement of all his views or the peculiar theological doctrines of the Seventh-Day Adventist sect. Blue color text = links to articles.

THE FLAME of YAHWEH: Sexuality in the Old Testament - (At Amazon, click on "Look Inside" to preview the Table of Contents and parts of both the Introduction and Chapter 1) (Review James Lorenz - SDA pastor)

The Theology of Sexuality in the Beginning: Genesis 1-2, R. Davidson

T he Theology of Sexuality in the Beginning: Genesis 3, R. Davidson

Polygamy in the Old Testament, R. Davidson

The above articles appear to have been drafts of the more comprehensive Chapters, 1 and 2, found in Davidson's book. We believe Mr. Davidson's exposition on sexuality from the original Hebrew language of Genesis 1-3 forms the necessary broad foundation for a biblical view.

Review of The Flame of Yahweh by Dr. David Instone-Brewer.

In some Christian circles (evangelical/fundamental and otherwise) there are those predisposed to erroneous concepts of marriage and a Christian life more-or-less de-emphasizing hetero (bipolar) sexuality. These Christians fail to understand sexuality (yes, erotic) in the context of God’s perfect creational design for humankind.

A final insight from Genesis 1 into the theology of human sexuality emerges from God's personal assessment of his creation. According to vs. 31, when "God saw everything he had made"-- including the sexuality of his crowning work of creation--"behold! it was very good." The Hebrew expression tob m^eod ("very good") connotes the quintessence of goodness, wholesomeness, appropriateness, beauty. The syllogism is straightforward. Sexuality (including the act of sexual intercourse) is part of God's creation, part of his crowning act. And God's creation is very good. Therefore, declares the first chapter of Genesis, sex is good, very good. It is not a mistake, a sinful aberration, a "regrettable necessity," a shameful experience, as it has so often been regarded in the history of Christian as well as pagan thought. Rather, human sexuality (as both an ontological state and a relational experience) is divinely inaugurated: it is part of God's perfect design from the beginning and willed as a fundamental aspect of human existence. The Theology of Sexuality in the Beginning: Genesis 1-2

Unfortunately, some orthodox Christians believe sexuality and even sex in marriage should give way to an ontological asexual imperative, part of the manifestation of a believer's "spirituality," i.e., Christian sanctification.(1) Of course, their theoretical asexuality seems to often fall short of being successfully implemented.

One “proof text” in support of this asexual Christian life is Jesus’ reference in Matthew 22:30, "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.” Another, Luke 20:35 is similar. Subsequently, when combined with the NT truths of the believer’s identification with Christ and current position of being seated with the Risen Christ in the heavenlies (Ephesians 2:6), asexuality initially appears as a possibility until one is forced to reconcile their view with the Apostle Paul’s contrary directives (e.g.,1Cor.7:3,5), his repetitive references to Genesis 1-3 design (e.g., 1Cor.6:16; Eph.5:31; 1Tim.4:3,4), and the Hebrews 13:4 affirmation that marriage should be "honored" and the "marriage bed kept pure."

Paul's advocacy of celibacy woven into his discussion of marriage (1Cor.7) appears rooted in pragmatic reasons (vs. 9, 26, 29) together with his desire to see others purely devoted to "the Lord's affairs" (v. 32, 35). Paul warned Timothy of a then-circulating anti-marriage belief (1Tim.4:3) as well as unbiblical marital separation mentioned in 1Cor.7:10. Nowhere does the Apostle seek to displace, here and now, the inherent "male and female" sexuality of the original Creation with a theoretical, transcendent asexuality of the future New Creation.

For a related comprehensive treatment of philosophic Christian ontology (wholistic dualism), obtain and read, Body, Soul & Life Everlasting: Biblical Anthropology and the Monism-Dualism Debate, John W. Cooper, Eerdmans Publishing, 1989.

(1) Similar views date back into the early history of the Church, to the speculations of Augustine of Hippo, and to the (body = evil) and anti-sex views of early Gnosticism and Manichaeism. For example, the theological concept of perpetual virginity, is "the belief among Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox that Mary remained a virgin her entire life, never having sexual relations with Joseph after the birth of Christ. Most Protestants object to this doctrine [unbiblical dogma] believing that the Bible teaches that Mary had other children and that this doctrine arose out of a philosophical disdain for the act of sex adopted by the early church. Martin Luther and Huldrych Zwingli both accepted the doctrine believing it to be non-essential, while John Calvin rejected it. Despite its lack of biblical support, it does find substantial support throughout church history."

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Links listed above may contain theological material and commentary on the policies of Christian denominations, political parties, advocacy groups, and Governments. We seek to carefully recommend articles and links to educate believers. However, these resources should not be interpreted as 'blanket' endorsement of any author or website. Our motive is love and we seek to educate and protect the Lord's people. Both our freedom and obligation to speak is protected by the Word of God and the First Amendment to the US Constitution.

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