Commonplace Holiness:
Sexuality Issues
Christian Faith and Sexuality
Few issues cause so much controversy and confusion in the church today than the issues of sexuality and sexual ethics. If you have difficulty discussing issues like this, or find them extremely upsetting, you might wish to stay off this page. You will find several controversial topics that are mentioned here, and you are likely to encounter points of view you will not agree with. Relax. Trust God. You’re okay. Just think about it. (That’s all that’s being asked of you.)
Because the Wesleyan approach to the Christian life speaks of the possibility of a the life of Perfect Love, I believe that a Wesleyan approach to the issue yields some important insights. Human nature is not inherently sinful just for being human. It is the power of love (devotion to God’s will and devotion to the best interests of others) that frees us from our sinfulness. This alone, and not legalisms, can set the heart free from its (otherwise) sinful intentions.
We do not need to be ashamed of our sexuality or our gender identity. But, the Christian faith has always upheld a high standard (a strict standard?) for sexual morality — only clearly affirming the sexual act within the confines of the marriage of a man and a woman. What does that mean for the many and various issues of sexual morality that are raised today?
I’m not absolutely sure I know. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t have some opinions.
Please Note: Off Site links are indicated with an asterisk. They will open in a new window or tab.
General Articles on Sexuality Issues
The Dream of Love (A Sermon on the Song of Solomon)
A Wesleyan Perspective on Human Sexuality
Homosexuality
Will the UM Homosexuality Debate Evolve?
More on the Homosexuality Debate
The Church and Homosexuality by Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker* (SideB)*
The Bible on Homosexuality by H. N. Miller (SideB)*
Was Sodom into Sodomy? by Ben Witherington III (SideB)*
Does the Bible Regard Same-Sex Intercourse as Intrinsically Sinful? by Robert A. J. Gagnon (SideB)*
Writings on Sexuality Issues by Peter Ould (Side B)*
DEBATE: Wolfhart Pannenberg vs. Tex Sample @ Good News*
DEBATE: Justin Lee vs. Ron Belgau @ the Gay Christian Network*
DEBATE: Luke Timothy Johnson vs. Eve Tushnet @ Commonweal*
DEBATE: Brauch vs. Hertzog @ Bridges Across the Divide*
Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? Campolo vs. Campolo*
Homosexuality and Christianity by Jeramy Townsley (SideA)*
Homosexuality and the Bible by Walter Wink (SideA)*
The Bible, Christianity, & Homosexuality by Justin R. Cannon (SideA)*
Fruitful Theological Debate? (Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7) (Part 8)
Gender Identity
Christianity and Transsexualism
By the Grace of God by Lee Frances Heller & Friends (edited by Julie Ann Johnson)*
Still Standing: Musings of a Christian Transsexual by Cindy Martin*
From: BRIDGES ACROSS THE DIVIDE
“A cyberspace initiative providing models and resources for building respectful relationships among those who disagree about moral issues surrounding homosexuality, bisexuality and gender variance.”
Other Off-Site Links from various points of view.
An Exercise in the Fundamentals of Orthodoxy (Peter Ould)*
New Direction Ministries of Canada*
Bridging the Gap (New Directions blog)*
Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity*
Journal of a Battling Christian*
After Thoughts On A Whirlwind Journey*
Adventures of a Christian Collegian*
