Continuing the Conversation on Sexuality
Much like the issues of race we dealt with last week, issues of sexuality and sexual orientation can be difficult to navigate. Often our experience is deeply personal, which makes us very emotionally invested, or our experience is severely lacking on a personal level, which makes us at risk of approaching the conversation with a lack of sensitivity and understanding. For this reason, we wanted to provide some additional resources that can be helpful for continued learning and study, but they can also be live giving for anyone personally struggling with issues of sexuality. Particularly with the “Reliable Voices and Books” listed below, you will find men and women who have personally dealt with these issues and have ultimately found their identity, hope, and peace in Jesus Christ.
This is a topic that Christians and the Church must be well-versed in because the conversation is present in every aspect of life. From the workplace to the classroom, to every new TV series developed, the definition of marriage and the lines of sexuality are being blurred. Parents need to be equipped to shepherd their children. Teachers need to be equipped to care for their students. Business owners, coaches, doctors, neighbors, and friends all need to be prepared for conversations and decisions centered around same-sex attraction and sexual orientation. Believers must know where they stand and why they believe what they do, but we must also be able to see every person as an image bearer of God and to love them with compassion and kindness. As an article on Standing Out states,
Some think that sex is simply a private ethical issue and that we should just agree to disagree on whether sex outside of a lifelong marriage between a man and a woman is a godly thing. However, we believe that it’s much more important than that. Sex within marriage is at the heart of one of the most significant pictures God uses to describe his relationship with his people. If we distort the picture, we lose sight of God’s wonderful love and truth.
We hope that you will take time to pray, read, and listen through some of the resources below so that we can be people of light and clarity in a world of darkness and confusion.
Article/Video Series
Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality – This series of videos and articles put together by the Gospel Coalition in conjunction with the Ethics and Religious Liberties Committee gives a thorough look at the challenges and complexities of upholding the Biblical stance on gender and sexuality.
Websites
Living Out – The goal of this ministry is to “encourage Christians, equip churches, and engage the world with God’s plan for sexuality and identity.” There are great resources, as well as individual stories, that help us explore a Biblical view of sexuality and the church.
The Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender – This ministry provides a plethora of resources for leaders, adults, and teens that deal with all things faith, sex, and gender.
Reliable Voices and Books
Rosaria Butterfield – Rosaria is a powerful author and speaker who talks candidly about her previous homosexual lifestyle and negative views of Christianity. Her story and her gospel-centered insight would be beneficial to every believer as we strive to stand on truth and love like Christ.
Sam Alberry – Sam is is a pastor, apologist, and speaker. He is the author of a number of books, including Is God Anti-Gay?, Why Bother with Church?, 7 Myths about Singleness, and What God Has To Say About Our Bodies.
Christopher Yuan - Dr. Christopher Yuan has taught the Bible at Moody Bible Institute for twelve years. He speaks at conferences, on college campuses, and in churches. He has co-authored with his mother their memoir, Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God, A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope. Dr. Yuan’s newest book, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story, was named 2020 Book of the Year for Social Issues by Outreach Magazine.
