Sanctified Sexuality A Position Paper of the Free Methodist Church - USA — Page 2
The union was sexual but so much more. Their intercourse both consummated and nurtured their love;
expressed and enhanced their intimacy; and would bear fruit both by mirroring God’s presence and care
in the world, and by producing children.1
Because we shape our lives according to the biblical story, we are compelled by that story to recognize
the normative character of God’s very good design for humanity, created as male and female. Throughout
the history of God’s people — as broken and fallen as it may be — and despite the passing of millennia,
the varied cultural settings, and every other contingency within its unfolding, the union of male and female
remains the plan of God for human life and families according to our Scriptures.2
Moreover, Jesus’ positive affirmations and teachings (e.g., Matthew 19:4-6 with parallels), as well as the
teachings of the earliest communities of Jesus’ followers (e.g., 1 Corinthians 7; Ephesians 5:31-33 in
context) bear the same witness. Of particular note, this “very good” creation-design for male and female
becomes a primary image used by Israel’s prophets to describe God’s relationship with Israel (e.g., Hosea;
Isaiah 50:1,2; 54:4-8; Jeremiah 3; 31; Ezekiel 16). The early church, in turn, embraced this imagery to
describe the relationship between God and God’s people in Christ, the church (Ephesians 5:22-33; see also
Matt. 25:1-13). Throughout the story, how a transcendent God who is not like humanity may still be one in
love and communion with God’s people finds illustration in the Genesis account of the male and female
becoming one flesh (see for example Genesis 2 with Ephesians 5). Finally, this same imagery inspires the
Revelation’s finale when, again, two become one, when God and humankind become one as celebrated at
the wedding feast of the Lamb and His bride (Revelation 19:1-9; compare also Jesus’ use of this imagery
in His parables such as Matthew 22:1-14).3
The Complex and Compounding Catastrophe of Human Rebellion
on Human Sexuality
Sadly, humans rebelled by doing the one thing God prohibited (Genesis 3:1-6). Immediately, they and their
relationships began to change. Not least, the man and the woman felt shame over their nakedness and
sought to cover themselves from each other, and then to hide from God’s presence (Genesis 3:7-10). In the
wake of their rebellion the man and the woman would continue to have sexual relations but not as before.
She would yearn for him while he would rule over her (Genesis 3:16). As a result of their sin, the man and
the woman would often vie with one another or use one another in hopes of experiencing the intimacy,
transparency, love, and freedom that were once their norm.4
1 We understand human sexuality in terms of creation’s grand design for human persons whose union blesses the world in multiple
ways — reflecting the full image of God, ruling/governing the world together, receiving and multiplying blessing in the world, and
reproducing their own kind who will do likewise. We envision as full correspondence as possible with this vision for human life and
their role in the world. Sexuality is central to this.
2 This is literally accurate. There are no exceptions and no hints of other ways or alternative paths, though there is acknowledgement
of varied sexual expressions and experiences. This is what compels our understanding, rather than verses, passages, and commands
that prohibit differing sexual experiences and relationships.
3 Note: we are arguing for a creation-model of marriage and sexuality without even noting prohibitions against certain sexual
expressions or relationships. We lift up a good and beautiful vision of human personhood and sexuality.
4 She longs for a relationship that ceased to be the norm with its oneness, openness, and intimacy. He will position himself above her,
no longer beside, and rule over her. Breaking the union creates space or vacuum that will be filled, not least by power and its abuse.
May 2020 — pg. 11