Gender & Sexuality

Youth MInistry

It is important to note that interpretation of the Bible is subjective and influenced by cultural, historical, and personal factors, leading to diverse beliefs and practices among different Christian communities regarding gender and sexuality. While studying the Bible, one should consider the historical, political, social factors of the author.

The Bible, specifically the Old and New Testaments, does address issues related to gender and sexuality, though the interpretations and attitudes towards these topics have varied among different Christian communities throughout history.

In the Old Testament, there are laws and regulations regarding gender roles and sexual behavior, such as instructions for marriage, procreation, and sexual conduct. Some passages are often used to support traditional and patriarchal gender roles, while others are interpreted as promoting equality between men and women.

Sexuality refers to God’s anthropological design and pattern for the procreative relationship between male and female and to the experience of erotic desire within that design. Gender refers to biological differences in male and female embodiment and the different cultural ways in which the creational distinctions between male and female are manifested.^[1]

As in the creation itself, God created humans as male and female, in his image for one another Gen (1,2). To deny any part of this teaching is to subject God’s purposeful design to the desires of humanity. Gender should be understood as the cultural reality resulting from God making men and women biologically sexed and distinct. As humans, we have to acknowledge and participate in culturally-appropriate gender distinctions.

The first and most obvious of passages concerning sexuality is in Genesis 2: 24, where after Eve was formed from the side of Adam we are told, ‘That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two become one flesh.’ The meaning of ‘two becoming one flesh’ has historically been identified with the sexual act of husband and wife.

But it also identifies with the spiritual life of husband and wife entering into the same Sacrament together. We see this most clearly in Ephesians 5, where Apostle Paul directly quotes Genesis 2: 24 in his plea to married couples. Apostle Paul here connects Genesis 2: 24 with the duty of self-sacrifice that he argues is necessary for marriage. Such a connection to a biblical passage that so obviously reveals the sexual relationship of a married couple was not done by accident; it is meant to show that sex between husband and wife is a physical representation of the spiritual reality in which they live together; they are one, just as Christ is one with his Church.

In fact, marriage between husband and wife is designed entirely as a symbol of the union between Christ and His Church. Ultimately then sex, much more than physical pleasure or even more than the means through which life comes into the world, is designed by God to symbolize the most beautiful and unifying relationship of all, and does so by being the symbol of the beautiful and unifying relationship of husband and wife.

While we read the scriptures, another word we can note from the Bible in connection with the sex is the word “knowing”. Gen 4:1 reads Adam knew Eve, his wife: who conceived and brought forth Caine.We can see this word “knowing” has been used in many passages in the Bible in connection of sex. The Hebrew word used in the Bible for “know” or “knew” is “yada”and the same word has been used for “knowing” God many times in the Bible. What does it mean? Let me explain, the act of sex designed is just not for pleasure or satisfying our lust, moreover, it is about knowing two souls in oneness among ONLY husband and wife. He knows her and understands her in a way that no one else does: in a personal, intimate, and unifying way. It should be in holiness as knowing one temple of God to another temple of God.

Infatuation / Lust

The Bible acknowledges the existence of infatuation and lust but generally speaks against them as they are considered sinful and contrary to God’s will. The seventh commandment in the Ten Commandments says, “You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14) and Jesus teaches, “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28) Lust is often seen as an improper desire for something or someone, particularly sexually. Infatuation, although not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, can also be seen as a strong but fleeting emotional attachment or admiration for someone or something.

In the Bible, it is encouraged to pursue relationships based on pure love, respect, and selflessness, rather than selfish desire or attraction. Christians are encouraged to resist temptation and follow the teachings of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to live a holy and fulfilling life.

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