Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Bible Challenge Day 163 Again: More Sex (1 Corinthians 7)


Paul’s discussion of sexuality and marriage can, it seems to me, be extended to same sex marriage. He generally prefers celibacy, so he has to make an argument for sexuality and marriage of any sort. As I wrote in my blog yesterday, his basic argument is that (1) not all are called to celibacy; (2) those who are not called to celibacy will be troubled by sexual desire unless they can find some legitimate sexual outlet; (3) marriage is the legitimate outlet for sexual desire. Therefore men and women should marry and should meet each other’s sexual needs in marriage.

Paul only mentions heterosexual couples. And in Romans 1, Paul is pretty negative about homosexuality (though that passage can be read in more than one way). But in principle, Paul’s argument in 1 Corinthians 7 could be extended to same sex couples.

Perhaps some gay or lesbian people are called to lives of celibacy, but most appear not to be, as is true for most straight people.  To suggest that those who are not called to celibacy must remain celibate anyway is to condemn them to being “aflame with passion,” precisely the reason why Paul thinks people should marry. Celebrating gay marriage seems like a better and more faithful option.

This argument does not mean that anything goes. On the contrary, it presumes that the same standards of sexual ethics apply to heterosexual and homosexual marriages. The couple should intend a loving, mutual, lifelong, monogamous commitment. That couples often find themselves unable to fulfill their intentions calls for compassion rather than judgment. But it doesn’t change the ideal, regardless of the gender of the spouses.
Fr. Harvey

1 comment:

  1. Love Fr.Harvey's hilarious and restrained commentary on sex in biblical times.Who knows what they where really thinking was right or godly with their many harems, eunuchs and kingly privileges?Sometimes the biblical stories seem to show what went so humanly wrong and was so subtly and divinely corrected? What a wonderful opportunity to contemplate our own sexual ethics and moral commitments and move forward in grace with respect and understanding for others.

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