Theology of Sex and Sexuality: Understanding God’s Intent For Us As Sexual Beings 1
Theology of Sex and Sexuality: Understanding God’s Intent For Us As Sexual Beings
Christian Gentil
School of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Liberty University
Author Note
Christian Gentil
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to
Christian Gentil
Email: Cwgentil@liberty.edu
Theology of Sex and Sexuality: Understanding God’s Intent For Us As Sexual Beings 2
Abstract
We live in a society where sex and sexuality have become so common and corrupted. The sexual
revolution continues to grow and take over society. The Church takes one stand and the rest of
the world takes another, and this ultimately leaves many people lost and confused in the mix.
Humans are sexual beings, and were created so, who are we to react to everything happening and
where do we stand? This paper will address helping individuals understand themselves as sexual
beings by understanding the theology of sex and sexuality. This paper will walk through the
creation story, the corruption from the fall, and the redemption story in which we now live. It
will take a look at God's perfect intention, the damage and irregularities that the fall caused, and
how we should react in a sexual society today while we live out the redemption story
Theology of Sex and Sexuality: Understanding God’s Intent For Us As Sexual Beings 3
Theology of Sex and Sexuality: Understanding God’s Intent For Us As Sexual Beings
Introduction
We live in a culture today where a majority of the things we see around us have been
sexualized. Many would refer to as the Sexual Revolution. Carl R. Truman expresses that sexual
acts such as homosexuality, pornography, and sex outside of marriage have been perennials
throughout human history, but what makes a distinction in the modern sexual revolution is that
fact that it has normalized all of these behviors along with other sexual phenomenons (Truman,
2020). Sexualization and sexual acts have become normalized day to day activities. Women and
men's bodies have have become objects of sexualization, and ponography, homosexuality, and
trasngernderism have become accepted and even fought for by many.
Traditional Christian values are no longer followed with no challenges, but have now
become the pinnacle of scrutinization. The Church has found itself in a spot of constant battle
with the ways of the modern sexual revolution. The church says dont and the world says do. To
take a stance with the church, you risk the scrutiny of the world, to side with the world, you risk
the scrutiny of the church. The battle and argument of what is actually acceptable and what is not
when it comes to sex and sexuality has cause major confliction and confusion for many people.
The lines of right and wrong have become completely blurred. and while many know they are
sexual beings, they have no idea how to understand themselves and how they should relate to
modern society.
While sex and sexuality is an aspect of our nature, created by God as seen in Genesis 1
and 2, prevalent throughout redemptive history, and a healthy and necessary lens through which
we should view ourselves, we must first understand God’s intention for sex and sexuality in
order to understand ourselves as sexual beings. We are able to understand God’s intention for us
Theology of Sex and Sexuality: Understanding God’s Intent For Us As Sexual Beings 4
as sexual beings as we look at God’s design for sex and sexuality through Creation, The Fall and
how it corrupted that design, and how we find our way back to God’s design and live that out
through the Redemption story in which we are now apart of.
Creation: Human Sexuality According to God’s Design
From the beginning of creation, God painted a beautiful picture his intention of for sex
and sexuality. He gives us a clear cut plan for sexual morality and how we were meant to live as
sexual beings. In Genesis 2:18, we see God say that it is not good for man to be alone and that he
will make a helper fit more him (King James Bible, 2017, Genesis 2:18). None of the animals
that Adam named were seen fit for him. In sight of this, God put him into a deep sleep and made
woman out of man. In Genesis 2:24, it says that a man shall leave his father and mother and join
with his wife and they shall become one (King James Bible, 2017, Genesis 2:24). In Genesis
1:28 we see that God blesses the union between the man and woman and they are told to be
fruitful and multiply (King James Bible, 2017, Genesis 1:18). We are also told that the man and
the woman were naked and unashamed (King James Bible, 2017, Genesis 2:25).
The beginning of Genesis alone sets the scene for God's intent for sex and relationship.
This passage addresses that God’s plan was for one man and one woman to be joined together.
According to Balswick and Balswick, the ideal context for authentic sexuality in the eyes of God
is a monogamous, lifelong marriage (Balswick & Balswick, 2019). God created sex and
sexuality to be a gift shared between a husband and his wife. The Song of Songs otherwise
known as the Song of Solomon provides a beautiful picture of the sexual relations between a
man and his bride based on God’s intention. In Song of Solomon 4, we see the man and his wife
honoring God through sexual intercourse on their wedding night (King James Bible, 2017, Song
of Solomon 4). This picture is not just physical connection, but it is filled with emotional and
Theology of Sex and Sexuality: Understanding God’s Intent For Us As Sexual Beings 5
spiritual connection as well. God's intent is not just for physical pleasure or self gratification, but
to grow in intimacy and a deeper understanding of each spouse and himself.
The Fall: The Corruption of God’s Design
Genesis 3 and The Fall
While God’s design for sex and sexuality was perfect and beautiful, it became corrupted
and defiled by the sinful acts of man. In Genesis 3, we see the story of The Fall and sin entering
into the world. It is easy to see how the effects of sin see in human sexulality, bodies, and
relationships. In Genesis 3:7, we see that shame enters the world for the first time. We are told
that the man and womans eyes were opened and they realized they were naked, so they sewed fig
leaves together to cover themselves (King James Bible, 2017, Genesis 3:7). God's intention for
man and woman to be naked and unashamed was now corrupted. Not only did sin enter the
picture, but God’s intention for sex and sexuality became corrupted and irregular.
Irregular Sex and Sexuality
Strife in Marriage and Divorce
One of the ways that we see irregularity in sex and sexuality in the fall is strife in
marriage and divorce. We see one of the examples of this in Genesis 3:16, “I will surely multiply
your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to
your husband, but he shall rule over you” (King James Bible, 2017, Genesis 3:16). Yarhouse and
Tan tells us that strife in marriage can take many forms such as struggle, competition, animosity,
discord, and contention or disunity (Yarhouse and Tan, 2014). As these things have entered the
picture, it has separation and pain between couples. This has opened the door for abuse in
marriage, infidelity, cheating, and ultimately divorce.
God designed marriage to be a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman. Divorce
Theology of Sex and Sexuality: Understanding God’s Intent For Us As Sexual Beings 6
has become an all to common ending to many marriages. For some it is an easy out when they
get uncomfortable, for others it is the last straw in a marriage full of pain and suffering. Yet if
God’s intent was a lifelong monogamous relationship, the aspect of divorce would be considered
sin. Matthew 5:32 tells us that any man who divorces his wife except on the grounds of
unchastity has caused her to commit adultery (King James Bible, 2017, Matthew 5:23). Here we
see that divorce is considered sinful except when it comes to unchastity, which is otherwise
known by the greek word Porniea. Porniea can be commonly defined as violation of the
faithfulness of the marriage covenant (Jones, 2015). Therefore we see here that the only
expectation to divorce is unfaithfulness in marriage. Yet, even here we still see the brokenness
and corruption from God's original intent for lifelong marriage.
Premarital Sex
Another way that we see irregulaity in sex and sexulaity after the fall is through
premarital sex. We can again see the word Porneia used in this context, which is translated to
sexual immorality. The bible references many verses on this. 1 Corinthians 6 gives a list of
sexually immoral acts and tells us that those who practice sexual immorality will not inherit the
kingdom of God (King James Bible, 2017, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Gods plan was for a lifelong
monogamous relationship, and sex within this context was a gift. By having sex before marriage,
you are taking that gift without the commitment to a lifelong marriage. This is why the “hook
up” culture has become so popular in today's society. It offers the physical pleasure of sexual
intercourse without the commitment that comes along with it. Yet, while the hookup culture
sounds like an easy out, it comes with possible downfalls. Some of the biggest downfalls are
unwanted pregnancy, disease, and abortion. In all these cases, these can be mostly prevented with
contraception and carefulness, are still an unfortunate, possible, and very real outcome of the
Theology of Sex and Sexuality: Understanding God’s Intent For Us As Sexual Beings 7
fall.
Homosexulaity and Transgenderism
Another Irregular sexual act due to the fall is Homosexulaity and Transgenderism. The
bible addresses the act of homosexuality as a sin in man passages. We first see light of this in
Genesis 1 and 2 in the creation story. God says it is not good for man to be alone and created
women as a helper that was fit for him. His intention for one man and one woman to be in a
lifelong monogamous relationship. Therefore we can rule anything outside of that as sin, and this
includes homosexuality. Romans 1 tell us that Homosexuality is a manifestation of denying and
disobeying God (King James Bible, 2017, Romans 1:26-27). In 1 Corinthians 6 we are told that
homosexuality along with a wide variety of other sins will keep those who practice it from the
kingdom of God (King James Bible, 2017, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
The fall caused us to see the world and act differently. We then have acted upon that
misguided new view of the world. There is now the ability to be temped with homosexual
desires, which itself is not a sin but acting upon it is when the sin enters the situation. Galatians 5
tells us that we should walk in the spirit and not gratify the pleasures of the flesh (King James
Bible, 2017, Galatians 5:16). We have a choice not to walk in sin when we feel sexual
temptations and desires in our flesh. Yet while same sex attraction is not a sin, it does come from
a sinful nature, which has ultimately resulted from the fall.
Yet sin in this manner doesn't stop at homosexuality. It can eventually lead to what is
called Gender Identity Disorder. According to Jones and Yarhouse, Gender Identity Disorder is a
psychological condition that is characterized by extreme levels of gender nonconformity (Jones
& Yarhouse, 2000). It starts with that person feeling that they are the wrong gender and insisting
that they are the opposite sex. Then this action often progresses to cross dressing, boys wearing
Theology of Sex and Sexuality: Understanding God’s Intent For Us As Sexual Beings 8
girl clothes and girls wearing boys clothes, in order to feel more normal in their body. As this
does not solve the problem, many turn to gender reassignment surgery. This clearly goes against
God’s intent from creation. Genesis 1 says he created them as man and woman very specifically
(King James Bible, 2017, Genesis 1:27). This view and act has only grown progressively worse
in today's society. Satan will wrap our minds to make us believe something that is not true and
cause us to sin. Romans 12 tells us not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by
the renewing of our minds (King James Bible, 2017, Romans 12:2).
Lust, Adultery, and Self-Gratification
Another result of The Fall is lust, adultery, and self-gratification. We see in Matthew 5
that lust and adultery is addressed. Matthew 5:28 tells us that we should not lust after another for
when we do we have already committed adultery (King James Bible, 2017, Matthew 5:28).
Proverbs 11 tells us that the treacherous are taken captive by their lust (King James Bible, 2017,
Proverbs 11:6). Lust entraps us and keeps us bound in sin, and we are warned of the dangers.
When we lust it is almost always manifested in fantasies. Balswick and Balswick states that
fantasizing sexually after someone idealizes unrealistic expectations (Balswick & Balswick,
2019). Lusting after someone and fantasizing about them in a manner that is sexual, we are
stipping them of their humanity and labeling them as an object or simply a piece of meat. This is
selfishness and self-gratification at its core and is a sinful act.
While we look at lust as sin, me must also look at masturbation and pronography as sin.
The act of mastubation and pornogrpahy are based on lust, fantasy, and sexual self gratification.
Yet even aside from lust, the most common reasons for watching pornogrphy and masturbating
occurs are things such as relief of sexual tension, unavailable partners, physical pleasure,
relaxation, and an aid to falling asleep (Balswick & Balswick, 2019). When we look for partners
Theology of Sex and Sexuality: Understanding God’s Intent For Us As Sexual Beings 9
that are not together in the same physical location, there are many reasons for this, such as one of
the spouses is deployed. Hebrews 13 tells us that the marriage bed must be kept pure, for God
will judge the adulterer and the sexually immoral (King James Bible, 2017, Hebrews 13:4).
Philippians 2 tells us to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit (King James Bible,
2017, Philippians 2:3). Masturbating and watching porn while a spouse is absent is self
gratification and is selfish in its nature, even if it is done mutually with the spouse over a video.
You are saying that you can't wait to be back together, and you would rather get a sexual release.
This would be considered sin. Yarhouse and Tan offer the point that while there may be distance
between spouses physically, this may be a good time for each to grow in discipline (Yarhouse &
Tan, 2014). All of the other reasons mentioned, release of sexual tension, physical pleasure,
relaxation, and an aid to falling asleep, all fall into the category of selfish ambition. The
individual is using the act of sexual release to deal with their problems. There are two main
problems with this. The act of masturbation is a temporary release, so those problems will only
have a temporary solution, yet the root of the problem is never getting fixed. The other problem
is that we as Christians should be turning to God with our problems, not looking for answers and
fixes in things of this world, as he will be the only one who will bring satisfaction, peace, rest,
and a permanent solution.
Sexual Abuse
Perhaps one of the most ugly realities that we see irregular sex and sexulality after the fall
is through sexual abuse. Most often this is seen in child abuse and rape. In this situation,sin many
times starts small and progresses into this terrible act. Oftentimes it starts as an act of
mastubation and fantasy about sex. Then it progresses to pornography and sexual interaction
with a real person. When that doesn't satisfy, the person needs to do it more and it becomes an
Theology of Sex and Sexuality: Understanding God’s Intent For Us As Sexual Beings 10
addiction. When the addiction is not met, that person will do what they must to fulfill it, even if
that means rape and forcing themselve on others. They tell themselves that just a little younger is
okay, and it keep progressing until we see child pornography and child sexual abuse. Proverbs
tells us that we must care for the weak, poor, and needy (King James Bible, 2017, Proverbs
14:13). We are called to care for the week, poor, and needy because we now face the terrible acts
of irregular sexual acts such as child abuse.
Redemption: The Goodness of Sex and Sexuality Redeemed
The Fall was reality that corrupted God’s beautiful intent for creation. Yet, while God’s
original intent was corrupted, the story was redeemed by death and resurrection of Christ. We
now find ourselves in the redemption story of Christ reconciling sinners back to the father. In this
redemption story with which we now live, we are able to choose a life of righteousness,
especially among the grounds of sex and sexuality.
We as humans are inclined to think that we are unknown to the will of God for us and
his intention after the fall, yet there are many scriptures in the bible that prove otherwise
(Theron, 2018). This is what is known as Natural Law. This is the idea that God’s intent for sex
and sexuality, regardless of the corruption of the fall, has not changed and will never change.
God is perfect and his will is perfect as well, which means that it will never change. So even
now after the fall, God’s intent for us in sex and sexuality from creation is still the same and will
never change.
Yet, while God’s will and intent for creation has never and will never change, through the
redemption story in which we now live, the way that we live does change. Galatians 2 tells us
that we were crucified with Christ and it is no longer us who live by Christ who lives in us, and
this new life we live, we live by faith in Christ (King James Bible, 2017, Galatians 2:20).We are
Theology of Sex and Sexuality: Understanding God’s Intent For Us As Sexual Beings 11
no longer bound by sin when we have accepted Christ, and must make an active choice to live
out God's good and perfect will for believers. In the aspect of sex and sexuality this done in a
few different ways. The first is dying to ourselves daily. We now live a new life in Christ and are
no longer bound by sin, but this doesn't mean that sin will not try to creep it's way back in. Our
flesh is weak and we must die to it daily. This applies to sexual temptation as well. James 1 tells
us to count it all joy when we face trials of different kinds because the testing of our faith
produces steadfastness (King James Bible, 2017, Galatians 2:20). When we deny the desires of
the flesh, it strengthens us and draws us closer to Christ. Another way that we do this is being
faithful to God through singleness and allowing our bodies to bear witness to him. Our bodies
are temples that we use to glorify God. We bear witness to Christ with how we do or don't use
our bodies sexually, and we can set the example for those around us.
Closing
God’s plan for sex and sexulaity have been clear since the beginning of creation. His plan
was for a man and a woman to be in a lifelong monogamous relationship. The Fall brought
corruption to what was intended by God, and sin brought irregularity to how God’s intention was
lived out. Sinful sexual acts now range from strife in marriage, all the way to homosexuality and
transgenderism. Now that Christ has died on the cross and resurrected, we now live in the
redemption story. While God’s good and perfect will and intention has never and will never
change, after the fall, we must now adjust our behavior and how we go about addressing sex and
sexulaity in order to walk in righteousness and glorify God. As we begin to understand God’s
intention for sex and sexuality in life, we will be able to understand ourselves as sexual beings
and how we should live it out.
Theology of Sex and Sexuality: Understanding God’s Intent For Us As Sexual Beings 12
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