Sex and the C____: Back to Eden

I take my calling as pastor seriously.

In preparation for the weekly sermon, I put in hours of study, reading and other research. During this "Family Life Series," I even decided to watch "Desperate Housewives" for the May 13 sermon. I thought it was the worst show I had seen.

So in preparation for this week's sermon, rather than view "Sex and the City," I opted to read the reviews and story lines. Afterwards, feeling like I needed to shower, I concluded it is another Hollywood attempt, written by men, to sexually exploit women under the guise of, "modern, liberated women" whose behavior is immature, self-centered, immoral and all without consequences. Sorry, but this is two thumbs down.

Why should I care? A few years ago, a report was issued by the Culture and Media Institute. It reported results of a survey which revealed a striking correlation: greater exposure to TV equaled more permissive moral views. Seventy-three percent of those surveyed believed Hollywood is harming the nation's moral condition. The sad truth is that too many people get their morals from TV and movies.

But the Church has contributed to this problem. While you will soon see the Bible has a great deal to say about sex — including warnings and limits — there are great encouragements as well. But the early church seems to have been more influenced by Plato and the Gnostic dualism of, "flesh" is bad; "spirit" is good. This contributed to the rise of celibacy and a two-tiered approach to sexuality. To renounce sex became the loftier, holier route. Sex within marriage was viewed as necessary for childbearing and as a concession to the more uncontrollable, profane urges.

The Protestant Reformation sought to bring back a more balanced, Biblical teaching. Mandated celibacy was attacked as unbiblical. No less a champion of proper sexuality was Martin Luther. As a monk, he condemned celibacy and married an ex-nun, Katherine. He also taught sexual equality in marriage and that it was a wife's right to sexual satisfaction as well as a husband's.

Although the Reformers managed to get sex back on track, the Church has always had an uncomfortableness with sex. Because of its intimate nature, the church needs to exercise propriety in giving a message to a mixed audience.

Hollywood could care less who watches. Also, because of the "sacredness" and intimacy, sharing personal experiences from the pulpit is inappropriate. No gentleman would do that. That is why when you hear guys around the water-cooler boast of sexual conquests, they show contempt for the woman, and she remains a sexual object and not a person.

But the Church would be neglecting its duty and being unfaithful to Scripture if it remained silent on the subject. So today, I want to touch upon this important topic of healthy sexuality by looking at three "c-words."

First, Sex and the Creation. We were created as sexual creatures, male and female. As such it did not start with, "Do Nots" but rather with a, "Wow!" as Adam saw Eve for the first time. "This is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh" is an excited response. One could almost imagine Adam saying, "Thank you Lord! I was getting worried about that orangutan that was blowing me kisses!"

Second, Sex and the Canticles. This book of the Bible is also called, "The Song of Solomon." It has been described as the "gently erotic" book and speaks with graphic euphemisms about passionate love between a husband and wife. Sensual and idyllic.

Finally, we will consider, Sex and the Christian. The New Testament sets marriage and its sexuality as something to be honored and the marriage bed a place of mutuality and respect. The writer of Hebrews pens: "Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between husband and wife. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex." Hebrews 13:4
To think about fulfilling sexuality as described here will provide a much-needed corrective to what Hollywood pushes and will be freeing experience. But it will take a paradigm shift in our thinking on many levels.

Instead of watching "Sex and the City," I invite you to use that time and listen to this sermon by going to www.lynbrookbaptist.org. Click on "Sermons", scroll down to the title, "Sex and the C___: Back to Eden."