“How can anything so good be so bad?” If sex is as good as we portrayed it in the previous chapter, why is it that many sexual acts are condemned in Scripture? The answer is that like most good things, sex was created to exist within prescribed boundaries. As long as it stays within those boundaries, it is good. The moment it moves outside them, it becomes bad.
I wish we could talk face to face so you could hear my heart for you. In your letter you said, “I just don’t understand why people in the church—good, knowledgeable, intelligent, kind Christians like yourself—continue to persecute and shut out gay and lesbian people based on passages of Scripture that are very much open to an interpretation.” First, if someone is persecuting you, they are not being kind.
The Greek word for “fornication” is “porneia”, which means harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry: The NKJ renders “fornication” as “sexual immorality.” The NIV renders it as “marital unfaithfulness/infidelity.” As you can see Christianity has made up its own meaning of fornication to mean sex before marriage. Christianity continues to define and redefine itself. I continue to question Christians in these matters.
Answered by Marshall Beretta, EPM Volunteer
I was not sure from your comments on “porneia” whether you were arguing for personal support of pre-marital sex. I’ll treat the general issue of the word. The Bible ...
What is true repentance? My pastor committed immorality and says he is truly sorry. But I question if he is really repentant. He is an eloquent speaker, can be very persuasive, and is now being critical of the church leaders who are “not showing grace” as he says. This is causing dissension in our church body.
Although I do not know the specific nature of your struggle, or the circumstances that set you up for sin, I do know that fighting the battle alone is difficult and rarely leads to victory.
As a man, husband, and more recently a father—I have struggled and struggled with sexual temptation. At my breaking point-being “tired” of the ongoing struggle and to seek support—I submitted a prayer request at a recent church leadership retreat, asking the intercessors to pray “That I would always and forever remain faithful to my wife and, never, ever commit adultery.”
When people who are living together visit our churches or small groups or homes, it is not our first job to try to correct their behavior, but instead to demonstrate the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.
I’d recommend a book called Informed Answers to Gay Rights Questions, by Roger Magnuson. I’ve read it and its helpful. Also, a book by R. F. Lovelace, called Homosexuality and the Church.
The Purity Principle is this: Purity is always smart; impurity is always stupid.
Sex in Marriage
Sexual Purity for Men
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