Sex takes on new meaning from Christian view
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Opinions
I know what you're thinking: "A Zach Vicars column about sex? Does he even know what sex is? Anything he'd have to say about it would be prude, detached and boring."
I beg to differ. I think the Christian viewpoint of sex is anything but boring. I hope, after you read this sex column, you'll agree.
First off, I need to dispel the myth that Christians are afraid of sex. This notion is nothing but a secular reaction to the abstinence movement. The Christian community does not shun or look down on sex. Rather, sex is celebrated as a gift from God. In the Bible, Solomon proclaimed: "Your breasts [are] like clusters of fruit ... I will climb the palm tree; I will take hold of its fruit." Clearly, intimacy isn't a topic the Bible avoids.
In the Church today, sex is not some taboo activity that should be separated from religion, as many believe. I once heard a respected pastor in my denomination say, "Sex is healthy. Have it early. Have it often. Have it inside marriage." But if biblical references and personal anecdotes aren't enough, consider the sociological data: My grandmother is one of 10 children, and I know of several families that boast a dozen children or more. You can't get numbers like that if you're afraid of sex.
Further, I'd like to make it clear that Christians are not only unafraid when it comes to sex, I'd say that Christians place more meaning and value in sex than the rest of the culture. We might even enjoy sex more, because we believe it is more than a casual connection, more than a tool for power and more than an empty pleasure. Christians understand sex as the highest expression of love, as the union of two bodies and two souls and as a holy act.
I'll use my own experience as an example. Before my wife and I even met, we both made commitments to ourselves, to God and to each other that we would "save sex" for marriage. We dated for almost five years, which tested our commitments. There were several moments when I wondered why we had made such promises in the first place. Then, during the summer, we exchanged rings, made vows to each other and spent our first night together. It was the most powerful, emotional and physical experience of my life. I am so thankful for the promises we made and for God's faithfulness to see us through. Waiting for sex might have been the most difficult thing the two of us have ever done, but it's also been the most rewarding. Our story is but one of thousands attesting to the incomparable bliss of committed, passionate, marital sex.
I beg to differ. I think the Christian viewpoint of sex is anything but boring. I hope, after you read this sex column, you'll agree.
First off, I need to dispel the myth that Christians are afraid of sex. This notion is nothing but a secular reaction to the abstinence movement. The Christian community does not shun or look down on sex. Rather, sex is celebrated as a gift from God. In the Bible, Solomon proclaimed: "Your breasts [are] like clusters of fruit ... I will climb the palm tree; I will take hold of its fruit." Clearly, intimacy isn't a topic the Bible avoids.
In the Church today, sex is not some taboo activity that should be separated from religion, as many believe. I once heard a respected pastor in my denomination say, "Sex is healthy. Have it early. Have it often. Have it inside marriage." But if biblical references and personal anecdotes aren't enough, consider the sociological data: My grandmother is one of 10 children, and I know of several families that boast a dozen children or more. You can't get numbers like that if you're afraid of sex.
Further, I'd like to make it clear that Christians are not only unafraid when it comes to sex, I'd say that Christians place more meaning and value in sex than the rest of the culture. We might even enjoy sex more, because we believe it is more than a casual connection, more than a tool for power and more than an empty pleasure. Christians understand sex as the highest expression of love, as the union of two bodies and two souls and as a holy act.
I'll use my own experience as an example. Before my wife and I even met, we both made commitments to ourselves, to God and to each other that we would "save sex" for marriage. We dated for almost five years, which tested our commitments. There were several moments when I wondered why we had made such promises in the first place. Then, during the summer, we exchanged rings, made vows to each other and spent our first night together. It was the most powerful, emotional and physical experience of my life. I am so thankful for the promises we made and for God's faithfulness to see us through. Waiting for sex might have been the most difficult thing the two of us have ever done, but it's also been the most rewarding. Our story is but one of thousands attesting to the incomparable bliss of committed, passionate, marital sex.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 24
anon
posted 11/19/09 @ 3:21 AM CST
I'm glad that this side of the sex debate can be shown as well. Though it may not be compatible with my views, I can appreciate a well written article displaying someone's personal opinions, so props to you, Zach. (Continued…)
Kathy Stewart
posted 11/19/09 @ 6:16 AM CST
Thanks for sharing, Zach. It is great that diversity of opinion is actually still allowed, if not welcomed, in this country.
Michelle
posted 11/19/09 @ 9:56 AM CST
The only couples who can have truly profound, loving sex are married Christians?
There are a lot of other religions out there with monogomous and faithful couples, and there are a lot of monogamous, unmarried, nonreligious couples who enjoy a healthy relationship based on respect, trust, and love AND have great sex. (Continued…)
ANON
posted 11/19/09 @ 9:57 AM CST
I do agree that this is a nice stand point to take and that every one has a right to their opinion. I'd like those who are willing to openly research this topic further, to visit the following site:
http://www. (Continued…)
Robert
posted 11/19/09 @ 12:07 PM CST
Being able to express diversity of opinion is a good thing. Being able to point out the errors in various diverse opinions is also a good thing. So here it goes. (Continued…)
Brittany
posted 11/19/09 @ 1:38 PM CST
1. Your anecdotes about large Christian families is NOT sociological data about the views and experiences Christians have with sex. And far from being a positive note about how Christians actually have sex, what those anecdotes say to me is that Christianity in some of its purest forms requires women to choose between having no sex/less sex or having more children than they might want, can afford, or can handle physically and psychologically. (Continued…)
Jake
posted 11/19/09 @ 2:08 PM CST
So if one member of a married couple is infertile, is there sex therefore sinful? Also, homosexuality exists in all forms of life, so to call unnatural is pure ignorance. (Continued…)
Jake Uhlenhake
Jake
posted 11/19/09 @ 2:19 PM CST
So what if a married, heterosexual couple is infertile? Are their fruitless sexual acts sinful and innappropriate? Also, FACT: homosexuality exists in a wide variety of species of life on earth, so to call it unnatural is pure ignorance. (Continued…)
Ryan
posted 11/19/09 @ 6:43 PM CST
I disagreed with almost all of this article, but you were doing pretty well up until the homosexuality part. I agree with you when you say that the Bible is essentially intolerant of homosexuality (and I disagree with Christians that say it isn't) but it simply amazes me that you think that this can be logically justified in the face of all modern secular evidence to the contrary. (Continued…)
An alum
posted 11/19/09 @ 10:03 PM CST
Since "the bottom line" (that's $$$) usually trumps morals, ethics, religion or lack thereof, perhaps this can be viewed in connection with the many debates about health care. (Continued…)
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