Sex in the Bible
Many of us find Sex a difficult thing to ask for advice about, not least because as we were growing up it was perhaps a bit of a taboo subject. And for many people its often the last thing that we'd want to talk to a minister about. Some of us were even given the impression that sex is wrong unless it's for procreation.
There are indeed some sexual practises that God's word firmly declares are wrong. But are our all of views about sex in agreement with the Bible ?
Or have the values that we've been holding been influenced more by our prevailing cultures than the word of God ?
The Bible Isn't Prudish About Sex
Interestingly, the Bible isn’t shy or prudish about sex. In fact, as we'll see, it doesn't pull any punches, even when addressing even the most awkward sexual subjects. So we've pulled as many scriptures together as we could, so you can rapidly get a solid understanding about what the Bible really does teach.
Sex Most Definitely Isn't Just for Procreation in the Bible
Importantly, God's word celebrates and encourages sex between husband and wife and, despite its important purpose, NOT just for the purpose of procreation!
Have a look at this scripture for example:
Proverbs 5:
18b …rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
There are references in the Song of Solomon to lovemaking outside too.
That doesn't sound like sex just for procreation, does it?
Like these references to love-making for the sheer joy of it, there are several other places where we can get helpful biblical insights into God's values about sex.
One of the first things that we'll do is to consider what God has actually legislated on the subject.
God's Laws About Sex in the Bible
Arguably God legislates for the important things in life, on the one hand to protect us from being unhappy, and on the other hand to encourage us to behave in ways which make us happy. Judianity believes the laws of God are binding for us today. In fact, far from being restrictive, even a quick read of Psalm 119 (albeit the longest chapter in the Bible!) shows that God's laws should be valued as enormously positive gifts.
Interestingly, in relation to the subject of sexual positions for example, God clearly had a choice, either:
- to legislate or;
- not to legislate.
And interestingly, God chose NOT to prescribe any specific laws.
Can we learn something from this?
We'd suggest that if an issue is important in God's eyes, we know that as our Father, he's capable of defining in scripture whether its right or not.
And if He doesn’t? ....then Judianity argues that He gives us some scope for discretion.
Where sex in the bible is legislated, and as we'll see, there are several instances where this is the case, we should take very careful notice. However, like positions for sex, there are a number of subjects that the Bible is noticeably silent about; regarding which, it would appear that God has decided to let us to exercise that sort of discretion.
So as we survey the subject of sex in the Bible, its equally worthwhile noting the subjects which aren’t legislated about, as it is understanding those issues which scripture does legislate for.
Whilst We're On the Subject of Positions for Sex in the Bible...
As another indication that the Bible isn’t as prudish as some would think, there is a place where at least two sexual positions are mentioned in the same verse.
Job 31:
9 ¶ If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour’s door;
10 Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.
But notice, there’s no suggestion that these positions are either right or wrong in their own right.
More Judianity Articles on the the Subject of Sex in the Bible
Go back to the start of Judianity - A "Third Way" Between Judaism or Christianity?
Theologians believe that even after the crucifixion Paul kept Nazirite vows at the temple and offered sacrifices. One predictable adjustment to a written Torah law about circumcising gentile proselytes in Acts, caused massive turmoil in the church. If most of the other "Old Testament" laws were abolished, why wasn't a similar level of controversy recorded then? Was the Torah really "done away" in Galatians ?
Let's take a look at the subject of Examining the First Sexual References in the Bible.
© www.judianity.info Nov 2011.
