SEXUAL ETHICS Moral Choices Chapter 10

Sexual Ethics For introductory discussion, how would you respond to: A high school student who’s unsure of his sexual orientation A gay couple who wants you to conduct their civil union ceremony A couple considering permanent birth control These are some of the scenarios taken from pages 270-71.

Sexual Ethics Areas of discussion: Singleness Birth Control Homosexuality/Same Sex Marriage Pre-Marital Sex/Abstinence

SEXUAL ETHICS Sexual Relationships in the Bible Creation Account Old Testament Law Wisdom Literature (Song of Solomon) I Corinthians 6:12-20 See the expansion of this discussion on pages 271-78.

Singleness as a Calling I Corinthians 7:25-35 The Present Crisis Passing Away Singleness as more expedient Application: Singleness in the Church This is summarized on page 278. Key questions to ask—1) Does marriage complete a person? No—we are complete in Christ (Col. 2:7) 2) Are we overselling marriage? Perhaps it’s analogous to the way the culture oversells sex.

Sexual Ethics Homosexuality and the Bible Key Texts to Consider: OT Law (Leviticus 18) Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19) Romans 1:24-27 I Corinthians 6: 9-11 Case 10.1 for discussion Key issues for discussion:1) Place of OT law today? 2) With the episode at Sodom and Gomorrah—highlight that it deals with non-consensual sex. See also Ezekiel 16:48, Jude 7for further commentary. 3) Romans 1—See the alternative views of this key passage. Does it refer to sexual inversion? Sex in the context of idolatry? Was Paul reflecting the homophobia of his first century culture? See the sidebar on the Metropolitan Community Church (p. 280) and check their web site for elaboration of these alternate views of Romans 1. 4)I Cor 6—what does it mean to be a Christian homosexual? Can we distinguish between the attraction and the behavior 5) In view of these passages, how would you recommend dealing with those who are wrestling with his or her sexual orientation? On Same sex marriage—not a matter of fairness/justice (civil unions give all the rights of marriage), certainly not a matter of hatred. For a good elucidation of this position, see Dennis Prager and Perez Hilton debate on You Tube.

Sexual Ethics Homosexuality and Secular Culture Natural Law Argument Public Health Argument Centrality of the Family-- A Historical Argument Homosexuality and Same Sex Marriage Case 10.2 for discussion This is summarized from pages 284-85.

SEXUAL ETHICS In Defense of Abstinence Only type of “safe sex” Teenagers won’t “Just do it.” Short-Circuits Relational Development Abstinence Builds Trust This is summarized from pages 291-94.

SEXUAL ETHICS Dealing With Sexual Failure Imagery of the Garden and Gardener

SEXUAL ETHICS Ethical Issues in Birth Control Children as a Blessing Mandate from Creation Purpose of Sex Types of Birth Control This is summarized from pages 286-89.

SEXUAL ETHICS Divorce and Remarriage OT Background--Deut. 24 NT Teaching Matthew 5, 19 Romans 7 I Corinthians 7