Gender Marriage and Sexuality

Question 1

The creation of Man and Woman equal in their standing before God.

Answer 1

• He created them both equally in his image
• 1st two lines Gen 1:27 form a chiasm to highlight that God has made man in his image. While the 3rd line asserts that both Male and females are made in his image
• Ergo both are equally designed for knowledge, righteousness, and holiness the moral triad
• Ergo both are equally made for communion with God
• This view of equality between the sexes must be made foundational to our biblical anthropology

Question 2

The creation of Man and Woman with distinct complementary roles

Answer 2

• Gen 1:27 the two distinct genders within humanity speak to a fundamental distinction.
• In God’s perfect creation Adam was incomplete, “it is not good for man to be alone.” Gen 2:17
• He needed a helper to help him work and keep the garden. The companion God gives points to the assistance God provides
• The command (to work and keep) is given to the man, the women (equal but distinct) is given to help him fulfill it. The man leads and the woman helps.

Question 3

Institution of marriage

Answer 3

• Marriage is the theatre where the relationship between male and female is played out before the world.
• Gen 2:24, “the man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife.” “cling to his wife” suggest both passion and permanence
• The 2 become 1 flesh. They are united physically, spiritually, and dispositionally. Marriage becomes the means to fulfill God’s commands and enjoy God’s communion.
• Being bound as one flesh is to be bound by covenant. It is the covenant that sustains Love.

Question 4

Sex

Answer 4

• Confined to marriage. To enjoy God you must be in covenant with Him. To enjoy sex you must be in the marriage covenant.
• Is good but not ultimate. It is man’s role to lead her into fellowship with God, not himself. Her role is to help her husband form a greater dependence on God
• It is good for society. Designed to fulfill the command to be fruitful. But improper to limit sex to propagation “Let your fountain be blessed…” Prov 5

Question 5

Carl Truman

Answer 5

• Theologian and Church historian
• Author of “The Rise of the Modern Self”
• Asserts sexual ethics of today are reduced to the elevation of the individual.

Question 6

How the fall distorts sexuality

Answer 6

• Owen “Every unclean thought or glance would be adultery if it could.” The thing keeping you from adultery is the opportunity not our upright moral nature
• Sexual sin is a matter of the heart. Out of the heart comes the sinful act of putting your needs above your spouses
• Sexual sin is a matter of Idolatry and disobedience. you elevating something (Porn, another man’s wife, etc) to a status they cannot hope to attain, hoping they can satisfy you in a way only God can

Question 7

How the fall distorts marriage

Answer 7

• Where there should be peace, there is enmity between man and woman. “your desire shall be contrary to your husband.
• The fall creates tension. It results in the woman’s desire for the position of leadership.
• While marriage still exists is has to negotiate sin.

Question 8

How the fall distorts Gender

Answer 8

• Sexual perversion is a reversal of the creative order
• in ingratitude, the person elevates the self over God making themselves the arbiters of truth
• sex, how the person has defined it, becomes a substitute for communion with God, taking on a religious flavor

Question 9

Christ and the mystery of marriage

Answer 9

• Marriage was instituted to point us to the ultimate relationship, Christ and his church.
• It is the Son who leaves His father to take for Himself a bride
• In taking the church as His bride he redeems here dramatizing God’s redemptive purposes.

Question 10

The Gospel and Sexual immorality

Answer 10

• The Gospel drives out old desires and makes new one. Giving us new longings, desires, and affections. But this may take a lifetime. 1 Cor 6
• Like any other sin we convince ourselves Christ cannot sustain our joy and supplement with sexual immorality.
• However, by not pursuing Christ in the midst of sin we in essence say He is impotent to save

Question 11

The ultimate Goal of Marriage

Answer 11

• To reflect the ultimate marriage of Christ and his Church.
• ## Matt 22 the Redeemed are not given in marriage