Christians have a bad track record when it comes to sex. For so many people, Christians are known for either having sex inappropriately or stopping others from enjoying it. And very often it’s the very people stopping others from enjoying it who are found out to be the ones who are actually, hypocritically having sex inappropriately. Sometimes I think the church should stop talking about sex for a generation – we have lost all sense of credibility in speaking about it. Whatever we say – can generally not be heard. It is a relief when church leaders meet and sex is not the top of the agenda.
In the context of all that, I was delighted to have been pointed to a brief blog post by Betty Duffy recently – I shall quote it in full:
The following is a real life conversation I had today:
A friend of mine walks into the room looking gorgeous, hair curled, eyes shining, and I say, “A, you’re glowing.”
“I’ve had a great morning,” she says. “I’ve had sex. I’ve worked out. I’ve showered. I’ve had adoration and spiritual direction. I’ve said my Rosary, and it’s only noon!”
Happy Saint Valentine’s Day
There has been a series of articles in the Washington Post by seminary Bible scholar and American Baptist pastor Jennifer Wright Knust;
Debunking ‘Biblical marriage’: Why the Bible can’t dictate today’s sexual morals
What does the Bible say about sexuality?
What does the Bible say about sexual desire
I am sure that these are based upon her book which I ordered last Friday;
Unprotected Texts: The Bible’s Surprising Contradictions About Sex and Desire
I hope that this is not a direction in which you wished not to go Padre.
Some of us don’t talk about such things, Bosco, because we don’t have adoration and spiritual direction on the same morning. Let alone work out. 🙂
Sometimes I think the church should stop talking about sex for a generation – we have lost all sense of credibility in speaking about it.
I couldn’t agree more. What a pity that we have done sexuality so badly, when spirituality and sexuality are so closely related…
I totally agree with you, John.
Actually, Christians were the first to protest the sexual enslavement of children which was a common and accepted practice in the GrecoRoman world. See “Sexual Violence” by Rev. Marie Marshall Fortune. I haven’t read Knust but I suspect it is revisionist interpretation of the Bible that throws out centuries of theological and moral thought. The church fathers carefully thought these things through. It is hubris to think we know better than they did.
Margaret, thank you for your contribution. I do not think there is a suggestion in the post or comments that everything that all Christians have done is without value, rather that much that is good in our thinking, teaching and acting is sadly lost beneath misunderstanding. Hence your first sentence continues rather than conflicts with the above thread.
I do not think using words such as “revisionist” and “hubris” make any positive contribution, particularly as you acknowledge you have not taken a moment to read David’s linked articles which are relatively brief. Furthermore, in many areas we do now know much better than particular teachings of particular church fathers – including in the area of sex.