Chapter 11: Gender, marriage, and Sexuality Flashcards
Ten basic principles for human sexuality: 1-5
- God created both male and female equally in his image.
- God created M & F with distinct but corresponding roles and responsibilities.
- God ordained the institution of marriage to be between male and female.
- sex is good but not ultimate.
- The fall distorts marriage.
Why is it an important distinction that male and female are created equally and in God’s image?
Both are created in the image of God.
The fact that there are differences does not nullify the parity that exists as image bearers of God.
From the beginning they have equality, inherent dignity, and value on par with one another.
- (We first focus on the equality not the distinctions).
What is the significance of male and female as created distinct from one another?
there are two distinct genders.
- These genders are identified with biological distinctions as well as sexuality.
Genesis 2 tells us it is not good for man to be alone.
God made man’s companion a “helper.”
How can we characterize the term “helper” in Genesis 2?
We are told that man’s companion is a helper.
This companion would be a helper in Adam’s quest to work and keep the garden according to the terms of the covenant of works.
It does not make the woman inferior, but rather implies that man is unable to fulfill his duties on his own.
The term “Ezer” (helper) is applied frequently to Yahweh throughout scripture.
What 3 things are we told about marriage in Genesis 2?
- Man shall leave (or forsake) his mother and father.
- The priorities of man shift in its most basic sense to caring for his wife. - The man is told to holdfast or cling to his wife.
- The man is to hold on, no matter the circumstances. - The two become one flesh.
- The one flesh union is spiritual, sexual, and dispositional.
How did Tweeddale summarize marriage?
Marriage is the vehicle in which one male and one female as equal image bearers join together in a corresponding relationship to fulfill God’s command and enjoy God’s communion.
***This summarizes the first three basic principles of human sexuality.
What is the proper view of sex that is pleasing to God?
- sex was designed by God within a marriage relationship for the good of society as the husband and wife seek to fulfill the cultural mandate.
- sex is a way for the husband and wife to grow their mutual love and affection for each other.
- Sex is good but not ultimate: God designed other things for humanity, the greatest of which is Himself.
how is sexuality intended to expose God as the greatest thing for humanity?
Sex is good but not ultimate.
God is the greatest of all things.
Sex exposes our need for relation and communion, but sex alone cannot satisfy these desires.
- The husband’s primary goal is to lead his wife into greater fellowship with God.
- the wife’s primary responsibility is to help her husband discover greater dependence on God.
How does sexual intimacy reflect our union with Christ?
Union with Christ is a relationship of exclusive and covenental self-giving.
Therefore, Sexual intimacy is only to be experienced through the covenant of marriage.
***Covenant precedes intimacy.
How does the Fall distort marriage?
The fall fosters enmity where peace should reign.
It disrupts our relationship with God, ourselves, and others.
Genesis 3 explains that enmity now characterizes our relationships and the fall thwarts our efforts to fulfill the cultural mandate.
Genesis 3:16 tells us the woman’s desire shall be for her husband. What does this mean?
It tells us the woman’s desire shall be for her husband and he shall rule over you.
This does not mean that she will desire the husband’s body, but rather she will desire her husband’s role as leader.
How does the Fall distort sexuality?
Matthew 15:16-20 tells us out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
Sexual sin is a matter of the heart. This includes even our thoughts which are considered the same as adultery and sexual immorality.
The principle here is that sin always aims at the uppermost manifestation of itself.
What did John Owen say about sinful thoughts?
“Every unclean thought or glance would be adultery if it could.”
John Owen - Mortification of Sin
How is sexual sin connected to ingratitude?
Sexual sin is a matter of idolatry and disobedience.
Gratitude is an antidote for sexual sin.
Ephesians 5:3-6 tells us instead of sexual sin “let there be thanksgiving.”
How does the Fall distort gender?
Romans 1:21-32
- sexual perversion is a reversal of the creation order.
Romans 1 tells us that God’s judgment extends not only to those who act but those who give approval.
It is a form of idolatry. We exchange the truth of God for a lie. we worship the creature rather than the creator.
