What is the Difference Between Evangelical Sex vs. Catholic Sex? And, a look at one Bible View
This post is a reaction to a Substack article by Emily Hess and Von representing a biblical view. The background is the basis for the Sex 101 podcast and the interview is posted once available.
https://www.facebook.com/723079877/videos/992171108912683/
Can you introduce the differences between Evangelicals & Roman Catholics?
Emily Hess on Substack introduced the topic and here are some reflections. [Some of the original graphics from articles cited have been retained here.] A third option in light of these differences was offered by one Bible believer.
First, what is the difference between Evangelicals and Roman Catholics?
Evangelicals and Catholics are two distinct Christian denominations that differ in many aspects of their beliefs and practices. One key difference between the two is their views on authority and tradition. Catholics place a strong emphasis on the authority of the Pope and the teachings of the Magisterium, while Evangelicals tend to prioritize personal interpretation of the Bible and individual relationship with God. Catholics also place a high value on tradition, including rituals, sacraments, and the veneration of saints, while Evangelicals often focus more on contemporary worship practices and preaching.
Another significant difference between Evangelicals and Catholics is their beliefs about salvation and the role of good works. Catholics believe in the concept of works-based salvation, where good deeds and participation in the sacraments play a role in earning one's way to heaven. In contrast, Evangelicals believe in salvation through faith alone, emphasizing the importance of accepting Jesus Christ as one's personal savior. This difference in theology has led to varying perspectives on issues such as the role of the church, the significance of sacraments, and the concept of grace.
Additionally, Evangelicals and Catholics have different approaches to evangelism and mission work. Evangelicals often engage in active efforts to spread their faith and convert others to Christianity, through activities such as mission trips, outreach events, and evangelistic campaigns. On the other hand, Catholics tend to focus more on social justice initiatives and charitable works as a means of being a witness to their faith.
In conclusion, this difference in approach reflects the varying priorities and perspectives of the two denominations when it comes to sharing their beliefs with others.
What are the differences between Evangelical sex & Roman Catholic sex?
When discussing the topic of sexual ethics and practices within Christianity, it’s essential to recognize the diversity of beliefs and practices that exist. Among the most prominent groups are Evangelicals and Roman Catholics. While both traditions share a foundation in Christianity, their views on sex, sexuality, and related issues can differ significantly. This essay aims to explore these differences, providing insight into the theological, cultural, and practical aspects of sexuality in both traditions.
Understanding the Foundations
Evangelical Perspective
Evangelicals are a diverse group within Protestant Christianity, characterized by a strong emphasis on personal faith, the authority of Scripture, and the importance of evangelism. Their view of sexuality is often influenced by a literal interpretation of the Bible, with a focus on passages that discuss the sanctity of marriage and sexual morality.
For Evangelicals, sex is seen as a gift from God, intended to be enjoyed within the confines of marriage. However, there is a strong emphasis on abstinence before marriage, which is often taught in youth groups and church settings. The belief is that sexual purity is essential to living a life that honors God.
Roman Catholic Perspective
Roman Catholicism, on the other hand, is rooted in a rich tradition of theology, sacraments, and teachings of the Church. The Catholic Church’s view of sexuality is shaped by its understanding of natural law, the sacrament of marriage, and the teachings of the Magisterium.
In Catholicism, sex is also viewed as a sacred act, meant to be shared within marriage. However, the Church’s teachings extend to specific guidelines regarding sexual behavior, contraception, and sexual orientation. The Catholic stance emphasizes the procreative nature of sex, focusing on its role in creating life, which shapes many of its moral teachings.
Key Differences in Views on Sexuality
Premarital Sex
One of the most significant differences between Evangelicals and Roman Catholics is their stance on premarital sex.
Evangelicals: Generally, Evangelicals advocate for abstinence until marriage. They often stress the importance of maintaining sexual purity and view premarital sex as sinful. This belief is reinforced through church teachings, youth programs, and community expectations.
Roman Catholics: While the Catholic Church also teaches that premarital sex is sinful, the emphasis on confession and penance can sometimes lead to different experiences among individuals. Many Catholics may engage in premarital sex but are encouraged to seek forgiveness through the sacrament of reconciliation. The Church’s teachings promote a more nuanced understanding of human weakness.
Contraception
Another area where Evangelicals and Roman Catholics diverge is in their views on contraception.
Evangelicals: There is a broader acceptance of contraception among Evangelicals. Many believe that responsible family planning is acceptable and can even be seen as a way to steward one’s resources and health. This perspective varies widely, with some Evangelicals opposing certain forms of contraception but generally advocating for the use of birth control within marriage.
Roman Catholics: The Catholic Church strictly opposes artificial contraception, based on the belief that every sexual act should be open to the possibility of procreation. This teaching is rooted in the encyclical Humanae Vitae, released in 1968, which reaffirmed the Church's position against birth control. Natural family planning is promoted as the only acceptable method for couples wishing to space or limit children.
Views on Homosexuality
The perspectives on homosexuality also reveal stark contrasts between the two traditions.
Evangelicals: Views on homosexuality in Evangelical communities can vary widely. Some Evangelicals hold traditional beliefs that view same-sex relationships as sinful, while others adopt a more progressive stance, advocating for acceptance and inclusion. This is a contentious issue within many Evangelical circles, leading to differing interpretations of Scripture.
Roman Catholics: The Catholic Church teaches that while homosexual acts are sinful, individuals with same-sex attraction must be treated with dignity and respect. The Church calls for a distinction between orientation and behavior, emphasizing that having a homosexual orientation is not sinful, but acting on it is. This complex stance reflects the Church's commitment to its teachings while addressing contemporary issues of human rights and dignity.
Attitudes Toward Marriage
The Purpose of Marriage
Both Evangelicals and Roman Catholics view marriage as a sacred covenant, but their interpretations of its purpose can differ.
Evangelicals: For many Evangelicals, marriage is primarily about companionship, love, and mutual support. While procreation is important, the emotional and spiritual connection between partners is often emphasized. Evangelicals may also focus on the idea of marriage as a partnership that reflects Christ’s love for the Church.
Roman Catholics: The Catholic understanding of marriage is deeply rooted in sacramental theology. Marriage is seen as a means of grace, and its primary purposes are procreation and the mutual sanctification of the partners. Catholic couples are taught that their union should reflect Christ’s love and be open to life, reaffirming the importance of family in God’s plan.
Divorce and Remarriage
The approach to divorce and remarriage also highlights differences in sexual ethics.
Evangelicals: Many Evangelicals believe in the sanctity of marriage and view divorce as a last resort. However, there is often a more lenient attitude toward divorce compared to Catholic teachings. Evangelicals may allow for divorce in situations of infidelity or abuse and can view remarriage as acceptable under certain circumstances.
Roman Catholics: The Catholic Church maintains a strict stance on divorce, teaching that marriage is a lifelong commitment. The Church does not recognize divorce as a valid dissolution of marriage. For Catholics, annulments can be sought to declare a marriage invalid from the start, allowing for remarriage in the Church. This process can be complex and often requires significant pastoral guidance.
Cultural Influences and Practices
Community and Support
The community aspect of both traditions also shapes their views on sex and sexuality.
Evangelicals: Evangelical communities often provide support for those seeking to adhere to sexual purity. Youth groups, seminars, and church teachings reinforce the importance of maintaining sexual ethics. However, this can also create pressure and stigma around sexual issues, leading to struggles with guilt and shame.
Roman Catholics: Catholic parishes often emphasize the importance of community in the spiritual life. While there may be support for traditional teachings on sexuality, the presence of confession allows individuals to navigate their experiences with a sense of hope for redemption. The communal aspect can foster a sense of belonging, even amidst struggles with sexual morality.
Education and Communication
Education about sexuality varies significantly between the two groups.
Evangelicals: Sexual education in Evangelical contexts may focus primarily on the dangers of premarital sex and the importance of abstinence. Programs may provide limited information about sexual health, often prioritizing moral teachings over comprehensive sexual education.
Roman Catholics: Catholic sexual education is often more holistic, addressing not only the moral implications but also the biological and emotional aspects of sexuality. While the Church’s teachings may not always resonate with younger generations, many Catholic educational programs aim to provide a well-rounded understanding of sexuality within the context of faith.
In conclusion, there are numerous points of contrast between evangelical and Catholic views of sex.
What does the Substack writer Emily Hess say about the differences?
Emily has been browsing her local library's ebook app and they have a surprisingly large amount of books on sex in marriage written by Evangelical Christian authors. She borrowed one out of curiosity, and was shocked by what she read. She read one or two more, and then decided to re-read some of the Catholic sexuality books on her shelf and compare the two understandings of what sex is.
In short, she found that Catholics and Evangelicals “agree on several things, but deeply disagree on others.” There is considerable difference. “Though we're often in the trenches side by side when it comes to cultural moral questions, what we don't agree on gets at the heart of what each believes sexuality is, and is for.”
If for instance a well informed Evangelical and Catholic couple decide to get married. “Both faith traditions agree that marriage is between a man and a woman, that it should be monogamous, and that sex is something for married people only. Most of our prerequisites for who can have sex and how unmarried people are to act are the same, so there's no conflict.”
This is a substantial area of agreement “however, once the couple is married they find that each's understanding of what sex ought to look like are very different. Both traditions agree that pornography and abortion are evil, but Evangelicals believe that mutual (and in certain cases, solo) masturbation and artificial birth control within marriage are morally beneficial behavior. Catholics forbid both with the strongest language possible (under pain of mortal sin, which means it's more on the level of killing someone than on the level of laughing at your boss's unfunny joke).”
“What are the core differences between the two understandings that lead to this?”
“The popular Evangelical view on sex within marriage seems to be that it is primarily for the pleasure of the couple (“God Himself invented sex for our delight. It was his gift to us, designed for pleasure” (Intended for Pleasure)), that it essential for the health of the relationship to have as much of it as you reasonably can, and that sexual fulfillment and strong sexual drives should be regarded as an important need to be met. Sexual contact seems to be a gift from God primarily to help the couple bond and for their enjoyment. So long as the couple is both on board with a certain action and no one is forced to do something against their will, a wide variety of genital sexual expression is allowable and should be celebrated.”
The Evangelical view on sex seems appealing and would be of interest to many.
Evangelicals emphasize that the woman should be open to and encouraging of her husband's sexual advances. “While husbands are urged to be understanding and told that they have a responsibility to make sex pleasurable for their wives, wives are told that sexually fulfilling their husbands is a key to unlocking greater love and care from them `if you fulfill him sexually, he'll go to Walgreens at 10:00 at night to buy anything you want him to buy. He'll be the one who says, `Honey, I'll get up and you stay in bed’ when the baby cries at three in the morning’” (Sheet Music).
None of that appears to be particularly Evangelical but good relationship practice.
Evangelicals are “told to see their husband's sex drive as an essential need that ought to be met even when full intercourse is impossible, `it’s called a hand job and it's very permissible in marriage…just a little something to keep your guy happy and satisfied’" (Sheet Music).
Emily reads that this: “assumption seems to be that much of married tension on sex stems from timidity, stinginess, or sexual dysfunction on the part of the wife, while the man is assumed to have a strong sex drive from the onset. Though the husband ought to be kind and loving to his wife, be sensitive to her needs, and to help with the housework, the wife needs to be sure she's taking whatever steps she needs to to be sexually generous, `I believe this is the best advice on finding sexual fulfillment-- the decision to serve our husbands.’” (The Wholehearted Wife)
There were certain aspects of this advice that seem really traditional but to the Catholic Hess it does not ring quite true.
What strikes Emily “is that there was almost no mentioning of babies and sex being linked beyond some suggestions for birth control, an admonition that fear of pregnancy can be a deterrent to sex, and a couple suggestions for sexual positions to use during pregnancy or to achieve pregnancy. This is very different from Catholic writing on sex.”
To the Catholic Hess there is a a great deal of commonality in the advice. “It's well understood that the emotional health of a marriage will be reflected in the bedroom (particularly for the woman), that sex bonds two people together, and that the pleasure of both parties during sex is important, `it is necessary to insist that intercourse must not serve merely as a means of allowing sexual excitement in the man alone, but that climax must be reached…with both partners fully involved’". (Love and Responsibility)
“In both traditions, sexual expression is seen as an expression of love and care for the other that involves giving them pleasure. Similar to the Evangelical understanding, married Catholics are encouraged to address whatever misconceptions that they may have about sex being `dirty or `wrong’, and to embrace their sexuality as something God created good, `When a couple has a healthy, Catholic vision of God as a joyful, gentle, passionate, respectful lover, the couple can discover a freedom that allows them to experience a sensual, free…playful, joyful sexual relationship without fear of using each other…’” (Holy Sex).
Reflection arises to what Emily saw “as a pretty strong culture shock.” She states: “Catholics believe that the reproductive, or life generating, aspect of human sexual expression is so integral and important to it that every sexual act involving genitalia has to be open to the possibility of a baby. This does NOT mean that every sexual act must try for or result in a baby; it's even permissible to perform the sexual act at a certain time in a woman's cycle to avoid fertility. But there can be no artificial means of rendering the act sterile (no barrier, chemical, or withdrawal methods), and no masturbatory activity to orgasm for the man (and none for the woman unless it's followed or proceeded by an orgasm from the man while his genitalia is inserted into hers in the same lovemaking session).”
There is more complexity about this aspect than may be obvious.
Emily states: “For all that the Evangelical books talk about pleasure and intimacy, they seem to indicate that sexual pleasure is good simply because God created it. While this is certainly true, Catholics go a step further. Not only is sex good, it's a sign of the ecstasy of Heaven. It's a sign and symbol of how God gives Himself to us and how we are to give ourselves to Him, `That Sex is intended to be a physical sign of God's own passion for each lover is another sense in which sex is sacramental’ (Holy Sex, see also Ephesians 5:32). In sex, we're supposed to love one another like God loves us.”
The Catholic Hess views sex as a sacramental act which is the primary distinction between the two traditions.
“Sex is supposed to be freely entered into, a total gift of self, faithful to the other person in thought and deed, and fruitful, or open to life (Jason Evert). This reflects God's freely entered into, total (as evidenced by the cross), ever faithful, fruitful (for where God is, there is life) love for us.”
Hess continues: “There's no halfway mark for sex with Catholics, every gift of self has to be complete. This is also why we have celibate vocations (priests, nuns, etc). Either your love to God is a free, total, faithful and fruitful complete gift of self via a sacrifice of sexual intimacy for the sake of the kingdom (see Matthew 19:12), or else it's given to God by practicing a complete gift of sexual intimacy with your spouse.”
The either/or nature of Catholic sexuality is the problematic aspect. Although celibacy was fairly common in the ancient world our over sexualized culture views lack of sex as a mental aberration.
“Sexuality is meant to be given as a gift to someone else. Another person gets all of you or none of you; there's no denying someone else a part of you or rejecting a part of them. A person's fertility is an integral part of them, and so seeking to suppress or get rid of it is disrespectful both to the image of what God means sex to be, and to the person. Refusing to accept their fertility is seen as refusing to accept the fullness of who they are, `When a couple is closed to life…the couple accepts only the parts of each other that make them feel good and rejects all the parts of each other that promise the commitment and responsibility of real love.’” (Holy Sex).
“Sex is also seem as sacred because it is the means that God uses to co-create new human beings with the couple. The ability to bring forth human life through our actions is the closest we come to participating in God's act of creation. That's a joyful thing, but also a very serious one that can't be treated lightly.”
Catholic sexuality strikes many as austere.
Because of the possibility of creating life, “when a Catholic couple is facing seasons where intercourse is not possible (which happen regularly when you chart cycles and time intercourse to avoid pregnancy, especially post partum when those cycles are long and hard to interpret), they don't have genital contact. No contraception, no hand jobs, no oral sex, no masturbating. To do so would be less than the total gift of self that the sacredness of sex and the worth of both the man and woman demands. The sex drive of both is something that they're periodically called to deny for the sake of their family, rather than an essential need that has to be met in whatever way possible.”
“This isn't to say that Catholic sex isn't ever playful, adventurous, or goofy. Couples are free to (and encouraged to, at least in the books I read) experiment, flirt, and fully enjoy the gift of sensuality in sex. It's not a serious occasion where we process into the bedroom carrying candles, chanting Latin and burning incense or anything like that (though I suppose you could if you wanted to). Even much of the behavior that Evangelical couples pursue to completion we can engage in the course of foreplay.”
Hess points out the important distinction between the two systems.
“We're just not allowed to end with anything less than the full thing once our genitalia get involved. This is seen as essential to fully respecting both the sacred and sacramental nature of sex and the full dignity of both the couples.
Both Catholic and Evangelical writers stress that mutual love and respect are essential for healthy marriages and sex lives, and both assert that sexual intimacy is something to be celebrated and enjoyed. The differences between how we understand sex are not slight, but perhaps there's enough of a shared vision of how husbands and wives ought to treat one another to get the conversation started.”
Two of the best sources Emily came across and was suggested by numerous commentators was from a Catholic perspective Vines in Full Bloom. From an evangelical viewpoint it was suggested to read the works of Sheila Wray Gregoire.
In conclusion, Hess has been able to point out differences between the Evangelical and Catholic views.
What is a Biblical view other than an Evangelical stance as expressed by one writer?
Not to be out done, Von wrote “Biblical Sex” on Substack to add to the Evangelical-Catholic comparison. What is the difference between Evangelical and Biblical thought?
While Evangelical theology is deeply rooted in the Bible, there are differences between the two. The Bible is a collection of sacred texts that were written by multiple authors over a period of several centuries, and it contains a wide range of genres, styles, and perspectives. Evangelical theology, on the other hand, is a specific interpretation of the Bible that is shaped by a particular set of beliefs, values, and cultural context. While Evangelical theology is often based on a literal interpretation of the Bible, it also incorporates additional teachings and traditions that are not necessarily found in the text itself and in that way a bit closer to Catholic thought.
Additionally, and in contrast to Catholic thought, Evangelical theology has been shaped by historical and cultural factors, such as the Reformation and the Enlightenment, which have influenced the way that Christians have interpreted and applied the Bible over time.
In conclusion, while Evangelical theology is deeply rooted in the Bible, it is not identical with the Bible itself, and it is subject to the same limitations and biases that affect all human interpretations of sacred texts.
What is at least one person’s opinion about a Biblical view of sex?
Introduction
Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 9:9
Von’s post comes as a response to an Emily Hess missive entitled ‘Catholic vs Evangelical Sex’. “The author, a Catholic, found some evangelical books on sex and, being shocked by what she read, did some quick compare/contrast between various popular books.”
Von and Hess had an interaction on the subject and Von agreed “to write a post not on the Evangelical, or still less the Catholic, idea of what sex should be about, but what God says about it.” Von’s perspective is, as his interpretation of the Bible, literal. That is why he simply says this is God’s perspective and a result he strips any nuance, culture, background, or history from his ideas.
I will mention caveats about Von’s interpretation.
Bible literalism, the belief that every word and phrase in the Bible is meant to be taken literally, can be misleading and even harmful. While it is important to take the Bible seriously and to respect its authority, literalism can lead to a narrow and rigid interpretation of the text that fails to account for the cultural, historical, and literary contexts in which it was written.
For example, the Bible contains many metaphors, allegories, and symbolic language that are meant to convey deeper truths and spiritual realities, but literalism can lead to a failure to recognize and understand these literary devices.
Additionally, literalism can also lead to a misunderstanding of the Bible's teachings on issues such as creation, evolution, and the role of women in the church, among others.
Furthermore, literalism can also lead to a neglect of the Bible's teachings on love and compassion, as well as its emphasis on the importance of faith, hope, and charity.
By recognizing the complexity and richness of the Bible's language and meaning, we can gain a deeper understanding of its teachings and apply them in a more nuanced and thoughtful way.
I would think that treading more tentatively about a complex topic such as sex would be in order. In any case, let Von speak for God.
Creator
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Genesis 1:26-18
“Now the first thing that God says about sex is that He created it. He doesn’t get all graphic about it, but even the first couple of chapters of Genesis make it clear that He is the creator of sex.”
“This is the foundation for any Biblical view of sex. It was given by the Creator, it is not ours to fool around with (pun intended). We don’t get to reinvent it, or try to bring it ‘up to date’.”
Children and Seed Spilling
And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.
And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.
And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.
—
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
—
Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
Genesis 38:8-10; Psalm 127:3-5; Malachi 2:14-15
“Sex was designed for the conception of children. It is not limited to that, but avoiding that is forbidden and a really, really bad idea. Both the Catholic and the protestant [sic] churches used to agree on that, and neither Catholic or protestant [sic] parishioners pay it much attention nowadays. But it is what the Scriptures clearly teach.” As we have seen, the Catholic view in history is more nuanced than what Von suggests.
Dominion
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Genesis 2:18.20-21
“Sex was designed as part of the dominion mandate. Not only ‘make children’, but ‘make lots of children who do God’s will all over the world’. This idea has been literally turned on its head by modern thinkers: with headless chickens running around complaining about ‘overpopulation’”.
Pleasure
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.
Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.
—
How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! the joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman.
Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor: thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies.
Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.
Thy neck is as a tower of ivory; thine eyes like the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.
Thine head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like purple; the king is held in the galleries.
How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!
This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters of grapes.
I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples;
And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.
I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.
Song 1:2-4, 7:1-10
“Sex is ‘intended for pleasure’. That was not its original goal, but it is definitely part of the system.”
Fornication
And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.
If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.
—
Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
Exodus 22:16-17, I Corinthians 7:2
“Sex between unmarried people is forbidden. However the solution is not to stop having sex, but to marry.”
“Now, let’s be very clear: the word ‘fornication’ here does not just mean sex between unmarried people. In the NT Greek it means all manner of sexual sins. And the solution, in the Scriptures, is marriage.”
Von is correct on the point.
"Fornication" in the New Testament Greek (porneia) does not simply refer to sex between unmarried people. In fact, the Greek word porneia is a broad term that encompasses a range of sexual sins, including adultery, prostitution, incest, and other forms of sexual immorality.
In the New Testament, porneia is used to describe a wide range of sexual behaviors that are considered sinful and contrary to God's will. For example, in 1 Corinthians 6:13, Paul writes that "the body is not meant for porneia, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body." Here, porneia refers to all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, prostitution, and other forms of sexual sin.
In other passages, porneia is used to describe specific forms of sexual sin, such as adultery (Matthew 5:32, Mark 10:11) or incest (Leviticus 18:6-18, 1 Corinthians 5:1). In each of these cases, porneia is used to describe a specific form of sexual behavior that is considered sinful and contrary to God's will.
Continual
Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
Proverbs 5:15-23
A non-believing Christian might enjoy Von’s next point. “Scripture makes it clear that sex is not optional. Sex is required. A lot of sex.”
“There is exactly two exceptions listed in Scripture. First: a couple who, with agreement between both of them, for a short time, for the purposes of fasting and prayer, agree to sexually abstain. And then they come together again quickly afterwards.”
“What is not permitted is ‘not in the mood’, ‘I”m angry at you’, or ‘its a bad time of month, we might make a kid!”. Abstention is acceptable during a woman’s time of the month.
Church Leaders
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
A bishop then must be blameless,
the husband of one wife,
vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
I Timothy 3:1-13
“Scripture makes it very clear that church leaders should be having sex. At least those who are called ‘elders’ (bishops) and ‘deacons’; those who are running the local churches. Church leaders are to be judged on their children and how their family is doing. Which implies sex. Lots of fruitful sex. And, of course, church leaders need to be at the forefront of the Biblical commands in this area.”
Forbidding
And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them.
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
—
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Leviticus 20:11-13; Romans 1:24-27
“Scripture makes it very clear that several forms of sex are forbidden. To keep this PG rated, let us state merely that any sex outside of a man and a woman inside of the relationship of marriage is forbidden. This includes lots of things that our world thinks is OK.”
Duty
If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.
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Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
Exodus 21:10; I Cor 7:2-5
Von makes it sound rather prosaic but “Sex is not optional. For either husband or wife. It is a duty.”
“Not only is sex a duty, but the various aspects are a duty. It is literally a duty to have pleasure in sex. To seek pleasure in sex. It is a duty to seek children. It is a duty to avoid sexual sin by having sex.”
Metaphor
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
—
Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.
Ephesians 5:23-26; Ezekiel 16:8
“Sex is part of the metaphors of Christ and the Church, of God and Israel. Which means that how we handle sex is also part of that metaphor.”
Conclusion
And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Matthew 19:4-6
In conclusion, Von makes it clear by his statement that he “makes no reference whatsoever to any church document, Catholic or protestant [sic], has to say on the subject.”
How do we conclude this topic?
Conclusion
The differences between Evangelical, Biblical, and Roman Catholic views on sex and sexuality illustrate the diversity within Christianity. While all traditions affirm the sanctity of marriage and the importance of sexual ethics, their approaches to premarital sex, contraception, homosexuality, and marriage reveal distinct theological and cultural influences. Understanding these differences can foster greater dialogue and respect between significant branches of Christianity, encouraging a more nuanced conversation about sexuality in the modern world.
In conclusion, the distinctions between Evangelical, Roman Catholic, and Biblical views of sex are significant and far-reaching. While Evangelicals tend to emphasize the importance of sexual purity and the need for sexual expression to be within the bounds of marriage, Roman Catholics place a greater emphasis on the sacramental nature of marriage and the importance of sexual intimacy within it. Biblical views, on the other hand, focus on the creation account and the purpose of sex as a means of expressing love and unity between two people, while also recognizing the potential for sin and the need for self-control. Ultimately, a biblical view of sex recognizes that it is a gift from God, but one that must be approached with humility, respect, and a commitment to honoring God in all aspects of life.
In conclusion, by understanding these distinctions, individuals can better navigate the diversity of Christianity, options about human sexuality, and cultivate a deeper understanding of God's design for their lives.
Bibliography:
A. Evangelical Sex
Sheet Music by Dr. Kevin Leman
The Wholehearted Wife by Erin Smalley
Intended for Pleasure by Dr. Ed Wheat
B. Catholic Sex
Holy Sex! By Dr. Greg Popcak
Love and Responsibility by Karol Woytija
Good News about Sex and Marriage by Christopher West
And a YouTube video by Jason Evert
