On sex and the erotic imagination
I am encouraged that Joe Carter and David Wayne (any others?) have posted on this subject. A solid, thorough Christian apologetic on the topic is certainly needed. (Or maybe there is one and I’ve missed it??) See Redeeming Eros: A Christian View of Sex and the Imagination and The Purpose Driven Sex Life. Gotta love that title.
One concern is the notion that sexuality for the Christian has certain inherent taboos. As Pastor Wayne stated, the context for a Christian’s sexual expression has clearly defined limitations, but the belief that a Christian must somehow lose their sexual being to some dry idea of mere procreative function is, plainly, heresy. Sexuality is much more than mere biological function or pleasant diversion.
How has a proper “erotic imagination” been lost, or, rather, supplanted by lasciviousness? Perhaps in the same way a sense of the mystery and awe of God has been lost. Sex has been reduced to something that can be “mastered;” something that can be grabbed hold of and commanded existentially. But this is just philosophical naturalistism as it interprets sex. The true substance of sex, i.e., that which goes deeper than a naturalistic understanding, has been reduced to token value. The surface value of the symbol has replaced the symbolism itself, i.e., the abstract ideas or truths represented or distilled by and through the symbol -- as per Rush Limbaugh’s “symbolism over substance” quote.
This phenomenon can be seen everywhere and in every area – in the way people dress, talk, and live their lives as well as in the media and art. On the popular level, subtlety and respect for subject matter have all but disappeared. Pop culture is basically one big “wardrobe malfunction.” Even in Christian music, few care any more whether the music itself has integrity, and many are not even able to discern whether or not it does.
In some ways, perhaps folks mistake a powerful longing for God for a sexual longing. I venture to say that the longing for ultimate fulfilment shares similarities with a longing for sexual fulfillment, but this is not to say that human longing for God is sexual. Sexual longing is intended toward flesh and blood, whereas spiritual longing seeks the Maker.
Regarding porn -- why might a Christian choose to, or feel compelled to, view it? Perhaps for some it’s an escape. Perhaps for others it’s an attempt to fulfill what their marriage isn’t providing. Perhaps some feel that a Christian shouldn’t really have an erotic imagination, but their desire to view porn betrays them. They seek to pursue what they are ashamed to admit to themselves and their spouse – the fulness of their sexual selves. Not that all such aspects are necessarily healthy, but neither is it healthy to feel inhibited in expressing and sharing one’s God-given sexual self in a healthy marital relationship .
Another problem with sexuality no doubt relates to a cultural preoccupation with hedonism and instant gratification. But sex ought to be a relationship, not an end in itself, and all ongoing relationships involve growth, change, and adaptation. In any adventure involving intimacy (not necessarily sexual), patience and waiting – deferred gratification – are often required. If one tries to force acquisition of a wanted thing, the result is never honest or worthwhile.
Where can we look for good teaching on healthy sexuality? Do the majority of parents, Christian ones even, teach appropriately? Do pastors expound upon much besides the evils of sexual sin? Does our culture model an appropriate respect for sex? The answers are pretty clear. Thankfully there are Christian groups in existence that meet to study the topic, but many more such groups surely are needed that aren't afraid to examine it. We owe it to ourselves, others, and, ultimately, to God.
(edited 9/19/05)
One concern is the notion that sexuality for the Christian has certain inherent taboos. As Pastor Wayne stated, the context for a Christian’s sexual expression has clearly defined limitations, but the belief that a Christian must somehow lose their sexual being to some dry idea of mere procreative function is, plainly, heresy. Sexuality is much more than mere biological function or pleasant diversion.
How has a proper “erotic imagination” been lost, or, rather, supplanted by lasciviousness? Perhaps in the same way a sense of the mystery and awe of God has been lost. Sex has been reduced to something that can be “mastered;” something that can be grabbed hold of and commanded existentially. But this is just philosophical naturalistism as it interprets sex. The true substance of sex, i.e., that which goes deeper than a naturalistic understanding, has been reduced to token value. The surface value of the symbol has replaced the symbolism itself, i.e., the abstract ideas or truths represented or distilled by and through the symbol -- as per Rush Limbaugh’s “symbolism over substance” quote.
This phenomenon can be seen everywhere and in every area – in the way people dress, talk, and live their lives as well as in the media and art. On the popular level, subtlety and respect for subject matter have all but disappeared. Pop culture is basically one big “wardrobe malfunction.” Even in Christian music, few care any more whether the music itself has integrity, and many are not even able to discern whether or not it does.
In some ways, perhaps folks mistake a powerful longing for God for a sexual longing. I venture to say that the longing for ultimate fulfilment shares similarities with a longing for sexual fulfillment, but this is not to say that human longing for God is sexual. Sexual longing is intended toward flesh and blood, whereas spiritual longing seeks the Maker.
Regarding porn -- why might a Christian choose to, or feel compelled to, view it? Perhaps for some it’s an escape. Perhaps for others it’s an attempt to fulfill what their marriage isn’t providing. Perhaps some feel that a Christian shouldn’t really have an erotic imagination, but their desire to view porn betrays them. They seek to pursue what they are ashamed to admit to themselves and their spouse – the fulness of their sexual selves. Not that all such aspects are necessarily healthy, but neither is it healthy to feel inhibited in expressing and sharing one’s God-given sexual self in a healthy marital relationship .
Another problem with sexuality no doubt relates to a cultural preoccupation with hedonism and instant gratification. But sex ought to be a relationship, not an end in itself, and all ongoing relationships involve growth, change, and adaptation. In any adventure involving intimacy (not necessarily sexual), patience and waiting – deferred gratification – are often required. If one tries to force acquisition of a wanted thing, the result is never honest or worthwhile.
Where can we look for good teaching on healthy sexuality? Do the majority of parents, Christian ones even, teach appropriately? Do pastors expound upon much besides the evils of sexual sin? Does our culture model an appropriate respect for sex? The answers are pretty clear. Thankfully there are Christian groups in existence that meet to study the topic, but many more such groups surely are needed that aren't afraid to examine it. We owe it to ourselves, others, and, ultimately, to God.
(edited 9/19/05)
posted by Bonnie at
11:34 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home