Worse, as the biblical story unfolds, we read of the corruption of human sexuality, relationships, and
bodies. Both men and women, and their sexuality, become commodities. Soon we learn about multiple
wives and concubines, as well as secular and sacred prostitution. We encounter rape as a feature of war
and among the spoils of war. And we read episodes of unbridled lust mixed with violence, even among
Israel’s royalty. Over time, the cultures reflected in the biblical story elevate sexual experience to idolatrous
levels. Indeed, an idolatrous understanding of sexual experience persists to our own day, distorting the
values, expectations, and relationships in the societies of our world. Among the tenets of an idolatrous
valuing of sex are the following:
• Human health and thriving require and demand being sexually active; and preclude celibacy as a
reasonable option for some.
• Human identity and emotional well-being are based on sexual attraction and expression;
• Human rights and justice demand sexual expression and satisfaction, assuming it is consensual;
• Human sexuality is a function of individual self-expression and determination;
• Human relationships may be enhanced by variation and experimentation in sexual experiences; and
• Human worth and value are often based on the knowledge, prowess, and frequency of sexual activity.
In the daring new worlds fashioned by human self-determination, there is plenty of nakedness but little
intimacy and less love. There is often no shame other than what follows a failure to be sexually experienced
and active. There is plenty of hiding from others, self and God. At best, these worlds — including our world
— offer a parody of human flourishing that was the norm in the very good world God intended.
As a people who shape their lives by the biblical story, we must assess the idolatrous elevation of sex and
its consequences in the light of God’s creational intent. When we do, we see that all human beings have
fallen short of their original God-given glory and this profoundly threatens our humanity, our sexuality, our
families, and our relationships more generally. All of us have fallen short and all of us must face the threat.
All of us stand in need of God’s rescuing and transforming grace, not least for the sake of our sexuality.
God’s Rescuing and Transforming Plan
Throughout the biblical story, God makes covenant and then takes action to express the rescuing and
transforming grace we and our world need. God calls and then works through the people of Abraham and
Sarah, as well as the children of Israel —the people chosen as God’s redemptive partners to bring blessing
and life to all people. Sadly, though, the chosen people were themselves subject to the same consequences
of human sin. Yet, a faithful remnant survived crushing defeat by their enemies, estrangement and exile
among the nations, and a hopeful return to their homeland to wait for the time when God’s Messiah would
come.
Surprisingly, when the time was right, God entered into the biblical story by becoming one of us, and
by giving self in loving service and sacrifice. In Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, the Creator God took
action as the Redeemer who rescues and renews the world and its peoples. Jesus our Messiah invites
all people to become His disciples, to embrace His way of life, and to partner with Him in the ongoing
renewal and restoration of the world. As Jesus did in the days of His ministry in Israel so He does in our day.
pg. 12 — lightandlifemagazine.com
Sanctified Sexuality A Position Paper of the Free Methodist Church - USA — Page 3
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