James Wibberding

I’m still thinking about sex. My purpose for discussing sex in the Bible is to elevate it. I do know that, given common patterns of relating to sex, I risk being misunderstood. But I think the gain is worth the risk. So, here I go again.

God introduced the gift of sex with the words, “Be fruitful, and multiply…” (Genesis 1:28). In other words, sex is first linked to the idea of creating new human beings. Here we see just how profoundly true it was that God made mankind in his image (verses 26-27). It didn’t just mean physical resemblance. Rather, since God creates others in his image, we create others in ours (through sex; 5:3). The implication of this is incredible: Sex is the means for living out the creative aspect of God’s character. It completes God’s image in us through the trait that most defines our link with him–Creation.

But sex completes the image of God more profoundly at another level. An accurate translation of verse 27 reads, “So God created humanity in his own image, in the image of God created he it; male and female created he them.” For human beings to form God’s image, it took both male and female (see also 5:1). So, it is only at the point the two become “one flesh” (2:24) that human beings fully complete God’s image (and understand him to the fullest human capacity). The expression “one flesh” is not limited to the sexual union but it could be argued that, since it says “one flesh” and not “one heart” (or something similar), that sex is the best symbol of joining for completeness (Paul understood the expression in terms of sex; see 1 Corinthians 6:16).

What does all this mean? Let me suggest that the one flesh moment can be your most godly moment. The moment of sexual ecstasy is meant to give you a window into God’s heart (through completeness with the opposite sex and its link with procreation). This doesn’t mean God is a sexual being (the book by Davidson that I mentioned in my last post establishes that fact well). It is simply the gift he gave us through which to understand him. The most intense physical pleasure humans can have, God attached to the act that creates others in our image. Through this, he meant to give us a glimpse of his pleasure in creating us.

I know I just dumped a lot out here. Share your thoughts or questions with me by clicking the “Comment” link below this post.

I have been thinking about sex. I know that’s quite an admission for a pastor. I have long thought that Christians lack a biblical theology of sex. It’s one of those vicious circles. Our views of sex are suppressive, so they keep us from discussing it and exploring it enough to learn that the Bible doesn’t support this suppressive stance.

The Victorian era, along with the Greek view that the flesh is evil, has bequeathed to us a general suspicion that sex is bad (both conscious and unconscious). This is so strong that it’s not uncommon for good Christians to get married and still experience a subliminal sense of guilt in their sex lives.

Current trends are toward openness. But, I think these miss the mark too. For example, one product of this openness, that I observe in entertainment media, is to separate sexual looseness from personal integrity. The Bible does make this an issue of spiritual integrity (see Matthew 5:28 for example). We don’t only need to talk more about our sexual behavior but also to evaluate, understand, and adjust it.

I have a growing sense that this issue matters. Of all the elements in the Creation order, it could be argued that Satan has worked hardest to distort sexuality. For some reason, the enemy has made sex a prime front in his attack on God. This suggests to me that the sexual gift must have incredible value to God and to our understanding of him.

I have begun reading a book by Richard M. Davidson called Flame of Yahweh: Sexuality in the Old Testament that promises to give great insights into the subject. This 800+ page book is probably the most thorough treatment of sexuality by a Christian scholar, and certainly by an Adventist scholar.

Welcome to my blog! You will find here my open musings about life and ministry, along with my discoveries and uncertainties. I write this blog more as an outlet and a place to center my thoughts than as a communication to the world. Yet, I believe that one more person in the world that is open and authentic with the world will in some way help the world.