Sex and the Church — Theology of sexuality

Too often when Christians mention “theology” and “sexuality” in the same sentence someone is trying to assert moral superiority over someone else. Some of us run away at any mention of a discussion combining “theology” and “sexuality.” This is because we are accustomed to it becoming a self-serving slug-fest, usually with the Bible wielded as a weapon.

But it should be a delightful, faith-filled experience when we talk about theology (reflecting on Christian faith in God) together with sexuality (a precious gift of God). Too often, though, it is not a delightful experience.

Gay, lesbian or transgendered persons brace themselves for how their identities and families will be referred to as “an issue” up for debate. And then the issue will be reduced to only one thing: sex.

Those whose bodies are differently abled prepare to be ignored or pitied. Those who have contracted HIV/AIDS get ready for the almost inevitable ignorant or cruel references to them.

Depending on how we were brought up, a theology of sexuality can also be an embarrassing subject for some to discuss openly. Because human sexuality always involves vulnerability, a respectful attitude and a right to privacy should be non-negotiable.

Privacy vs. secrecy

Privacy is important, but not secrecy. The all too common secret use of sexuality by Christians and others for harm makes it imperative to talk openly about how our theology connects to our understanding of sexuality. Secrecy enables child pornography sold via the Internet, sexual misconduct by pastors with members of their congregations, or husbands sexually coercing their wives within heterosexual marriages.

Some Christians silently wish for a church context where they can ask personal questions.

Moreover, some Christians silently wish for a church context where they can ask personal questions about a range of concerns:

It should not be too much to hope for a space in the church where such concerns could be openly addressed as part of a broader understanding of Christian theology and human spirituality.

We need a common understanding of what sexuality is. In the gospel of Luke, for instance, when the “woman of the city who was a sinner” kisses Jesus’ feet, anoints them with oil, and wipes them with her hair (Luke 7:37-50), does that gesture have anything to do with sexuality? Or when Paul exhorts the Corinthians to “greet one another with a holy kiss” (1Corinthians 16:20), what is he saying about sexuality, about spirituality, or about how they can or cannot be combined?

Yes, sexuality has to do with our genitals, hormones and chromosomes, but it should not be mistakenly understood as merely physiological. Sexuality incorporates both individual physical acts and self-expression.

God’s gift of sexuality

God’s wondrous creation of human sexuality should never be reduced simply to a sex act or a particular sexual practice. To suggest that you can practice sexuality or not like flipping a light switch on or off is a blasphemous negation of God’s creativity, of how sexuality is woven into the fabric of the human mind, body and spirit.

To suggest that you can practice sexuality or not like flipping a light switch on or off is a blasphemous negation of God’s creativity.

God’s gift of sexuality is experienced through:

Furthermore, sexuality should not be understood as merely an individualistic quality. It includes the inherent social dimensions of vulnerability and accountability to others. A person may be in an intimate, covenantal relationship with another person, or single and celibate. You may be taking a solitary, luxurious, sensual bath, or talking to your doctor about a sexual reproduction issue. In both our being and our doing, sexuality is a continuing part of our emotional, spiritual, social and bodily “practice.” It is an inherent part of our God-created, shared humanity.

Ethical dimensions

Exploring theology about the trinitarian nature of God can be a creative way to remind ourselves of the meaning of human sexuality and its ethical dimensions. As Christians we believe that God created the incredibly diverse beings we are. This, of course, includes human sexuality. It reminds us to humbly marvel at God’s handiwork in the diversity of human creation and to treat each other with respect and equal regard.

The incarnation of Jesus … reminds us of the preciousness of our own bodies to God.

The incarnation of Jesus, at once fully divine and fully human flesh and blood, reminds us of the preciousness of our own bodies to God. It should also remind us to always treat our own bodies and other people’s as equally endowed with precious, sacred worth.

The Holy Spirit is God with us at all times. It reminds us that God’s loving presence never abandons us, always supports our wholeness, no matter whether in joyful sexual pleasure or cruel sexual victimization. This loving witness of the Holy Spirit models solidarity for us to emulate by supporting one another.

Studying the Bible provides another way to engage in a wonderfully rich theological reflection on sexuality. I do not mean using the Bible as a sword to slay other Christians through singular interpretations of selected passages about sexuality. Let us remember that all our understandings of scripture are interpretations. They are based on many, many translations of the Bible over centuries of evolving scholarship.

Studying and seeking

Our theology of sexuality should be informed by studying the entire canon of scripture and seeking God’s revelation. To accomplish this, we need to examine the wide variety of passages that mention sexuality.

Passages we study might include:

Studying with a diverse group of Christians and using differing translations and commentaries about scripture passages such as these can add vitality to the development of a Christian theology of sexuality.

Commonly mentioned theme

Sin is among the most commonly mentioned themes in theological discussions of sexuality. Painful historical and current examples such as racist Christian opposition to interracial sex and marriage should certainly not be forgotten. We can learn from them. Only two years ago I met an interracial, heterosexual couple upset over the lack of support from the bride’s devoutly Christian family. Her white family declared it was “unnatural” for her to marry a black man.

Sinfulness that involves sexuality can be a serious temptation.

Sinfulness that involves sexuality can be a serious temptation. This is mainly because sexuality involves such a vulnerable, intimate aspect of our humanity. Unfortunately, some too often see vulnerability as an opportunity to exploit and abuse, to gain advantage or power over another.

Fortunately, God’s grace is always available. It reconnects us to God, enabling us to recognize the precious, equal sacred worth of people we have sinfully cast aside, and to have the courage to make restitution.

Theology is an ongoing, evolving project for Christians. It needs room to grow and develop. It requires nurturing with thoughtful engagement with others and lots of prayer.

Questions for further thought

1. What five ground rules would help a group of Christians with differing perspectives, including disagreements, respectfully work together on how to articulate a theology of sexuality?
2. In your opinion, is sexuality a good gift of God? Why or why not? What evidence for it do you find in scripture and theology?
3. How do the biblical passages mentioned in this article about sexuality fit with broader theological ideas consistently found in scripture that you think are essential to Christian faith?
4. What communities and groups do you think are usually left out or marginalized that should be included in a discussion of the church’s theology of sexuality? How could/should their voices be included?

Resources

Editor’s note: Dr. Traci West is professor of Ethics and African American Studies at Drew University Theological School in Madison, N.J. She is an ordained United Methodist clergyperson in the New York Conference.