Robb + Jessie Married & in the Badger State
the marriage bed
I’ve finally finished my last day of class as a college student and what am I thinking about? Sex, of course.
Don’t worry, I’m not breaking any commandments, but I’ve just come off a great church retreat where we discussed (among many other things) sex as Christian men. I think it is truly great that God provided such a pleasing act of oneness for a married couple. (Not to mention, the male sex drive is a great motivation tool to get guys to work hard and romance a wife the honest, righteous way.) However, it seems in large part the church has divided into two camps:
1. Sex is generally bad or looked down upon. Must be done to procreate and perhaps for pleasure, but at least it should never be talked about openly or celebrated.
2. Sex in the Bible is too limiting. Dating couples who are married “in their hearts” can have sex too. Not to mention the Bible writers didn’t know what they were talking about when they invented all those primitive rules about sex. Basically, times have changed.
Neither of those point of views fit with the biblical view of a sacred, covenantal act between a husband and wife that is to be celebrated. And somehow, I ended up a church that doesn’t fit either of those two molds. Mars Hill frankly talks about sex as a glorious creation, celebrated throughout the Bible (especially in the Song of Solomon). I’m glad that at Mars Hill unbiblical, anti-sex doctrines are rejected, while at the same time the gift of sex to married couples is wholly embraced and discussed. Yet, people are so messed and think of infinite new ways to sin that Mars Hill is also very clear about God’s rules for sex. Maybe some day I will be blessed with the covenant of marriage and be able to glorify God through this great oneness. It is truly a wonder to be created in God’s image as relational and loving beings.
For some good articles on the subject, see “Sex is Good” by the Jollyblogger. He also references an older article by Anthony Bradley, a great theologian from the black church tradition and an all around good guy.
letters
Seven (plus one) letters
In one week (plus or minus).
Here’s to walks in the grass,
Summer stars,
And the lake.
I thank God for her.
try really hard to understand
Paul amazes me. I’ve been reading Romans and around chapter 9 he goes off on this rant talking about how only God calls us, only God gives us mercy, and no one can resist his will for our lives. People who really, really believe this are called Calvinists. These people emphasize God’s will and sovereignty in our salvation.
But then, the very next chapter, Paul goes on another rant saying how all you have to do is confess and believe in Jesus and you will be saved. People who really, really believe this are called Arminians. These people emphasize man’s free will in our salvation.
Well, Paul, who is right? Both?
This sort of talk makes me really empathize with the Apostle Peter: “His [Paul’s] letters contain some things that are hard to understand.”