The Failure of the Modern Sexual Ethic

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective.

What is the basis of the modern sexual ethic? I think it boils down to one word: “consent”. If the participants (whatever the number) are agreeable in the activity (whatever it may be), there can be no complaint, for they have done so willingly—they have given their “consent”.

Now, beyond the questions of how to negotiate such “consent” in a world of nuanced power dynamics and communication difficulties—not to mention at what age this “power of consent” magically materializes—there still exists a much deeper and more fundamental problem. This ethic assumes reality itself, including our sexual reality, is malleable—that it can be manipulated to fit our desires. There is no design to which our desires must yield, no limits to which our “consent” must be confined.

But nowhere else in all creation can reality be so manipulated. Contrary to a popular contemporary anthem, we cannot “defy gravity” but only submit to it. Gravity is what it is, and if we are to benefit from its reality, we must approach it with reverence. If we “defy” it, we will most certainly suffer the consequences of transgressing its reality.

So, it is with sex. Sex is not defined by our desires but by our Designer. When our desires overrule what God designed sex for, we do violence to it; and since sexuality is core to who we are, ultimately, we do violence to ourselves.

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. [emphasis added]

~ 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (ESV)