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Note from the Pastor, February 2, 2014

  If the scriptures were turned into a Hollywood film, it would be rated “R” for nudity, sexual content and violence.
  The first book of the Bible, Genesis, tells us that God created gender and then introduces us to a male and a female who were naked and unashamed and given the mandate to multiply. By the third chapter, this good beginning is in ruins. There’s shame, painful child birth, incest between a drunken father and his daughters, extramarital sex between a man and a handmaid, sexual violence between men, polygamy, rape, sex with a prostitute and a failed seduction attempt.
  In Exodus we find the seventh commandment about adultery. Leviticus gives us an extensive list of unlawful sexual relations. Numbers provides a detailed test for an unfaithful wife. Deuteronomy insists on virginity as a conjugal right.
  In the book of Joshua we meet a prostitute named Rahab who becomes an important part of history of redemption and the lineage of Jesus. In the book of Judges we meet Deborah, a prophetess and judge who shows us that both males and females are called to serve God. Another woman named Jael liberates Israel by assassinating an enemy named Sisera. The book ends with the story of Samson’s weakness for a woman named Delilah.
  In Ruth we hear the Bible’s most beautiful words of commitment. In I and II Samuel we’re given the positive example of male bonding between David and Jonathan, as well as the disturbing story of David’s abusive adultery with Bathsheba. Solomon, born from this illegitimate relationship, goes on to take seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines, a harem that turns this wise king away from God and tarnishes his reputation forever.
  In the book of Job we find the verse that the Internet generation needs to post on every laptop, tablet and phone: “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.” Psalms 32 and 51 articulate David’s sorrow and guilt for breaking that covenant, while Psalms 127 and 128 celebrate spouses, children and family.
  Under the theme of “guarding our hearts”, a father in the book of Proverbs warns his son to stay away from prostitutes and other men’s wives. It ends with a beautiful picture of the ideal woman and wife. Two books later, we come upon the Bible’s explicitly erotic book, the Song of Songs, a sizzling sex manual about healthy sexual relations for generations of believing, committed couples. Which brings us to the prophets and their warnings about idolatry, injustice and sexual immorality. One of those prophets even marries an unfaithful wife to symbolize God’s relationship with Israel. Another prophet sounds the hopeful note that both sons and daughters will prophesy.
  Which brings us to the New Testament. There we find Jesus’ strong affirmation of marriage and tough talk about lust, adultery and divorce. The great news is that the good news of his resurrection is first given to women to tell, which anticipates what the Apostle Paul eventually says about the equality of males and females “in Christ.” Paul also addresses sexual behaviour in all of his epistles, tackling such topics as homosexuality, celibacy, marital relations, sex with prostitutes (“porneia”), orgies, dirty jokes, seductive ways of dressing, and the kind of sensuality that leads to “a continual lust for more.” Finally, the Bible ends with the picture of a new creation that is purged of sexual immorality, as well as every other sin.
  Does the Bible deal with sex? Yes, it does. Do Jesus and Paul talk about sexual issues? Yes, they do. That’s why we will not avoid the topic but face it head on in this month’s Safe Sex sermon series.
- Pastor Peter



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