Program / Course 22: Christian Ethics / Lesson 3.2
What you will learn
- Describe the main biblical texts and themes behind Christian teaching on sexuality.
- State the historic teaching shared by the Catholic, Orthodox and most Protestant churches, and the reasons given for it.
- Describe the positions of Christian groups that have revised that teaching, and their reasons.
- Present secular approaches to sexual ethics and the main points of disagreement with Christian teaching.
The big idea
For most of Christian history, the churches have taught that sexual union belongs within the lifelong marriage of a man and a woman, and that other sexual acts are contrary to God’s design. Catholic, Orthodox and most Protestant churches still hold this teaching. Some Protestant churches and many individual Christians have revised it, especially on same-sex relationships and on sex outside marriage, and they give theological reasons for doing so. Secular approaches usually base sexual ethics on consent and harm. This lesson states each position as its holders do.
Key terms
- Chastity
- In Christian teaching, the virtue that orders sexual desire rightly. It applies to everyone: faithfulness in marriage and abstinence outside it.
- Celibacy
- The state of being unmarried and abstaining from sex, taken up for the sake of the kingdom (Matthew 19:12; 1 Corinthians 7).
- Procreative and unitive
- In Catholic teaching, the two meanings of the marital act: openness to children and the union of husband and wife.
- Complementarity
- The view that male and female are different and fitted to each other in marriage. Its meaning and its limits are debated.
- Traditional (historic) teaching
- The teaching that sex belongs within marriage between a man and a woman. Some prefer the phrase historic Christian sexual ethic.
- Affirming
- A term used by those who hold that committed same-sex relationships can be blessed or married within the church.
- Consent ethic
- A secular approach that makes the consent of competent adults and the absence of harm the main tests of sexual morality.
Background
Christian teaching on sexuality begins with creation. God made human beings male and female and blessed them (Genesis 1:27-28). Jesus, asked about divorce, points back to this and says that a man shall cleave to his wife and the two shall be one flesh (Matthew 19:4-6). The Old Testament law forbids adultery, incest and other acts (Leviticus 18 and 20), and the Song of Solomon celebrates erotic love in marriage. In the New Testament, Paul and others condemn porneia, a Greek word covering sexual immorality, and give lists of sins (1 Corinthians 6:9-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). The New Testament also honors celibacy (1 Corinthians 7:7-8).
This lesson is not meant to settle disputed questions. It describes the positions of the traditions and of those who disagree with them, with the main reasons on each side. The subject touches real lives, and the churches have often failed to speak with the care they ask of others. The lesson on disagreement within Christianity returns to how to state such differences fairly.
Step-by-step explanation
Step 1: The historic teaching and its reasons
The Catholic, Orthodox and most Protestant churches teach that sexual union is meant for marriage between one man and one woman. They hold that sex outside marriage, adultery, and same-sex sexual acts are contrary to God’s design, and that all people are called to chastity in their state of life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church adds that sexual acts must be open to life, and so teaches that contraception is not permitted, a teaching that most Protestant and Orthodox traditions do not hold in the same form. Orthodox churches generally allow family planning by methods that do not end a pregnancy, with the guidance of a spiritual father.
The reasons given include Genesis 1 and 2, Jesus’ teaching on marriage, Paul’s lists of sins (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10), the consistent interpretation of the church for nearly two thousand years, and a view of the human body as a gift with a meaning given by God. Defenders emphasize that the teaching is a call to a demanding love, in marriage or in celibacy, and not a rejection of persons. They also hold that the church should welcome all people, including those who struggle with its teaching or are same-sex attracted, and that many such Christians are living faithful celibate lives.
Step 2: Revisions and their reasons
Some Christians and some denominations, among them the Episcopal Church in the United States, the United Church of Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the United Church of Canada and some branches of other churches, have come to bless or celebrate same-sex marriages. Their reasons vary. Some argue that the biblical texts addressed exploitative or idolatrous practices in the ancient world and not committed, faithful relationships between equals. Some point to the way the church has changed its mind on other questions, such as slavery, usury and the role of women. Some argue that the experience of faithful same-sex couples shows fruit of the Spirit. Others argue that the goods of marriage, such as fidelity, mutual care and a lifelong bond, can be present in such relationships.
Those who hold the historic teaching reply on several grounds: that the biblical texts and the tradition are consistent, that the cases of slavery and women’s roles differ because the New Testament itself contains the seeds of change in those cases, and that the nature of marriage is rooted in creation and not in culture. Both sides generally agree that the church should reject cruelty and condemn violence against anyone. The disagreement has divided some churches, for example the Anglican Communion and the United Methodist Church.
Step 3: Other questions in sexual ethics
Beyond same-sex relationships, Christian teaching addresses sex before marriage, cohabitation, pornography, divorce, contraception, reproductive technology and gender identity. On many of these, the churches’ official teaching has been stable, while pastoral practice and lay belief have often differed. Within the Protestant world, a wide range exists. Many evangelical and Reformed churches hold the historic teaching firmly and stress purity and marriage. Mainline churches are often divided. Pentecostal and non-denominational churches vary.
On gender identity and transgender questions, which became widely debated more recently, Christian positions are in active development. Some traditions hold that sex and gender are a God-given unity grounded in the body and counsel against medical transition. Others stress compassion, the complexity of experience and the limits of present knowledge, and some affirm transition. Statements by churches differ, and many Christians express uncertainty. This is an area in which scholarly and pastoral work is ongoing and in which fairness requires attention to both the person and the theology.
Step 4: Secular approaches
Many secular ethicists hold that sexual acts between consenting adults are morally permissible if they do not harm others and that moral concerns focus on consent, honesty and respect. Some add that sex ought to be marked by care and mutual respect. Others, such as some feminist thinkers, criticize practices such as pornography and prostitution for exploiting women, regardless of consent. A few secular writers, such as some in the natural law tradition, argue for a more traditional view without religion.
A common point of difference with Christian teaching is whether sex has an inherent meaning that limits it, or only the meaning that the persons give it. Christians hold that the body and sex have meanings given by God. Secular consent ethics typically holds that the persons concerned determine the meaning. Each side holds that the other’s view yields consequences that it finds troubling, and a fair student should state what each is trying to protect.
- What is the claim, and which texts, traditions or arguments support it?
- Does the view hold that sex has a meaning built into it, or that its meaning is chosen by the persons?
- What does the view say about the person who is single, celibate or does not follow the teaching?
- How does the view deal with the biblical texts that seem to cut against it?
- What good is the view trying to protect?
- How can the position be stated so that someone who holds the opposite view recognize it as an accurate description?
Examples
Celibacy as a vocation
A man who experiences same-sex attraction and holds the historic teaching describes his decision to live celibately and his place in a church community. He says that the teaching is a cost but that friendship and service have given him a full life. Another person in the same position has left the church because of the same teaching. Both stories are told by Christians. (A constructed example.)
An affirming congregation
A congregation in a mainline denomination celebrates the marriage of two women who have been members for twenty years. Its pastor says that the couple’s fidelity and service to the parish show the fruit of the Spirit and that the church’s earlier judgment was mistaken. A neighboring congregation of the same denomination disagrees. (A constructed example.)
Consent and meaning
Two friends, one Christian and one not, discuss casual sex. The nonbeliever says that it is harmless between consenting adults. The Christian says that sex is meant to express a lasting self-gift. Neither persuades the other, but each leaves with a clearer account of what the other thinks sex is for. (A constructed example.)
Different perspectives
Catholic
The Catholic Church teaches that sexuality is a good gift of God, ordered to marriage, where it is both unitive and open to life. It holds that homosexual acts are contrary to natural law but that homosexual persons are to be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity and are called to chastity. It teaches that unjust discrimination is to be avoided. Many Catholic laypeople and some theologians dissent from parts of this teaching, and the church’s discipline is applied by pastors in varied ways.
Orthodox
Orthodox churches teach that marriage is a sacrament between a man and a woman and that sexual union belongs within it. Homosexual acts are regarded as sinful, though pastoral practice stresses the healing of passions and the compassion of confession. Orthodox writers emphasize that all human beings struggle with passions and are called to purity. Some Orthodox voices and lay people call for more pastoral care and less condemnation in practice.
Protestant (historic teaching)
Evangelical, Reformed, Lutheran (in many bodies), Baptist, Pentecostal and many other Protestants teach that sex belongs within marriage between a man and a woman, appealing to Scripture as the final authority. They emphasize grace for sinners, welcome for all, and the possibility of lifelong celibacy for those who are not married. Many reject the label of intolerance and say that their teaching comes from love of persons and obedience to God.
Protestant (revised positions)
Some mainline Protestant churches, and some individual theologians in other traditions, hold that committed same-sex relationships can be blessed and that the biblical witness should be read in light of Christ’s command to love and of new knowledge. They say this is a faithful development, not an abandonment of Scripture, and they point to the pastoral harm of the old teaching. They are often accused by traditional churches of departing from Scripture, and they deny this.
Secular and scholarly
Secular ethicists commonly rest sexual ethics on consent and harm, and many hold that the traditional Christian view is too restrictive. Historians of sexuality note that views of sexual morality and of what counts as a sexual identity have varied across cultures and periods, and scholars of the Bible debate the meaning of key texts and terms, such as the Greek words in 1 Corinthians 6:9.
Why it matters
Questions of sexuality are among the most painful and divisive for churches today, and they concern the lives of real people, including students. A reader who understands what each position holds, and why, is better able to speak without caricature, to listen to those who hold a different view, and to think about the questions with charity and clarity. It is also impossible to understand the present divisions in the churches without this background.
Common misunderstandings
Misunderstanding: The historic Christian teaching is based on hatred.
Correction: Those who hold it describe it as based on a view of creation and marriage and as combined with love for persons. The churches have sometimes failed in practice, and they teach that cruelty to anyone is sin. The claim of hatred does not describe what the teaching holds.
Misunderstanding: Churches that bless same-sex marriage have simply abandoned the Bible.
Correction: Those who hold this view argue from Scripture, from the character of Christ and from the fruit of relationships. They may be wrong, as critics hold, but they present a theological case that must be answered on its merits.
Misunderstanding: Secular sexual ethics has no moral content.
Correction: Consent ethics treats rape, abuse, deception and exploitation as serious wrongs. It differs from Christian teaching in what it takes to make an act right, not in having no standards.
Misunderstanding: All Christians agree on contraception and divorce.
Correction: Catholic teaching forbids artificial contraception, most Protestants and Orthodox allow some forms, and divorce is treated differently in each tradition, as the next lesson shows.
Knowledge check
What is the historic Christian teaching on sexuality, and which churches hold it?
It is that sexual union belongs within lifelong marriage between a man and a woman, and that other sexual acts are contrary to God’s design, with all called to chastity. The Catholic and Orthodox churches and most Protestant churches, including evangelical, Reformed and many Lutheran bodies, hold it, though they differ on some related questions such as contraception.
What reasons do Christians give who revise the teaching on same-sex relationships?
Some argue that the biblical texts concern exploitative or idolatrous practices, not faithful committed relationships, that the church has changed its mind on other issues such as slavery, that the fruit of the Spirit is seen in such couples, and that the goods of marriage can be present. Critics reply that the texts and tradition are consistent and that creation grounds marriage.
What is a consent ethic and how does it differ from the Christian view?
A consent ethic makes the free consent of competent adults, with honesty and absence of harm, the main test of right sexual conduct. Christian teaching holds that sex has a meaning given by God, tied to marriage and the self-gift of persons, so that consent is necessary but not sufficient.
Why is this topic described as needing particular care?
Because it concerns the lives, identities and pain of real people, and because churches and individuals on every side have caused hurt. A fair treatment states each position as its holders would, avoids caricature, and recognizes where Christians have failed in love as well as where they disagree in belief.
Think it through
- Can you state the view opposite to your own so that its holders would agree with your description?
- How should a church treat a member who disagrees with its teaching on sexuality?
- What would it mean for a church to hold its teaching and also to welcome all persons? What would it need to do?
- Which of the arguments in this lesson did you find hardest to hear fairly?
Independent assignment
Stating two positions fairly
In your notebook, write 400 to 600 words. Choose one question of sexual ethics from this lesson. Write a paragraph stating the historic teaching in terms that its holders would accept, and a paragraph stating an opposing view in terms that its holders would accept. Then list three questions that each side would need to answer. Do not state your own conclusion unless you wish to, and do not send this to anyone or post it anywhere.
Further study
- Catholic Church, Catechism of the Catholic Church Read the sections on chastity, the sixth and ninth commandments, and marriage.
- Augustine of Hippo, Confessions Read selectively on Augustine’s own struggle with desire and his later teaching on the goods of marriage.
- Martin Luther, The Small Catechism Read the explanation of the sixth commandment.
- Timothy (Kallistos) Ware, The Orthodox Church Read selectively for the Orthodox view of marriage and the moral life.
- Genesis 2:24 A man shall cleave unto his wife.
- Matthew 19:12 Those who make themselves eunuchs for the kingdom.
- 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication.
- 1 Corinthians 7:7 Each has his proper gift from God.