Summary: <p>How do Millennials plan on connecting their faith to a fast changing American culture that quickly broadens its moral codes to fit a desire for inclusivity? This week the millennial panel tackles the topic of sexuality.</p><div id="showNotes"> <h1>Sexuality</h1> <p>By Crystal Anderson</p> <p>Youth Groups love to talk about sex. Right? My youth pastor’s favorite saying to introduce sermons on sex was: “Don’t unbutton it, unzip it, etc …” To be honest, I can’t really remember the rest. I’m quite sure I blocked it out. But I do remember one group discussion that highlights my high school perspective on sex. I stated to a married couple leading the discussion that sex was for making babies and birth control was telling God that you were the boss.</p> <p>Take a moment to let those words sink in. Factually, those words are accurate. But culturally and socially, the declaration is wrong. Sexuality is complex, emotionally charged and created by God. Blanketed statements and factual arguments will not redeem sexuality in the church, but it will cause more pain. I truly believe Christians can bless or unintentionally curse each other with our words, but is there a more edifying way to discuss and learn?</p> <p>Let’s try something … I have collected articles, a blog post and verses on sexuality, and I am going to attempt to summarize each for you. Then I would love to read your conclusion to the package of information presented, so I can learn from your heart reaction and what these summaries “bring to mind.”</p> <p>1. In a blog called Defeating the Dragons, a user identified as forgedimagination wrote a blog post called <a href="http://defeatingthedragons.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/my-body-is-not-a-stumbling-block/" title="“My Body is Not a Stumbling block” " target="_blank">“My Body is Not a Stumbling block.”</a> She shared her experience as a curvaceous woman growing up in the church and how it caused her to believe her body was evil. She was told to cover curves with huge skirts in order to protect men from stumbling or lusting. “They didn’t mean for this to happen. I’m positive they’d be horrified if they knew I carried these wounds with me—wounds that still bleed, even though it’s been years since I’ve heard anything like this.” The church meant to prevent sin, but unintentionally cursed her by shaping her perspective on the body God specifically created for her.</p> <p>2. A group of Christian women authored an article for Christianity Today titled “<a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/women/2013/june/dont-blame-bikini-blame-bikini-culture.html" title="Don’t Blame the Bikini, Blame the Bikini Culture.”" target="_blank">Don’t Blame the Bikini, Blame the Bikini Culture.”</a> The article traces the historical development of the bikini and asks the question of why male’s brains react in a specific way toward the female body in western culture? “Scientific findings show that the brain is essentially plastic. It can be shaped and formed and changed by our environments. This means that not all neurological responses are hardwired. Some are conditioned.” Somehow western culture has conditioned the male brain to associate women in bikinis with tools. While there is zero brain activity in “the part of the brain that lights up when one ponders another person's thoughts, feelings, and intentions.”</p> <p>3. <a href="http://www.esvbible.org/John+4%3A1-26/" title="John 4:1-26" target="_blank">John 4:1–26</a> recounts the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. Never once did Jesus try to send her to a rehabilitation center or seminar, but He did offer her living water and she was the first to know He was the Messiah.</p> <p>4. <a href="http://www.esvbible.org/John+8%3A1-11/" title="John 8:1-11" target="_blank">John 8:1–11</a> reveals how Christ wants us to respond to sexual sin. “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”</p> <p>5. Men throughout Scripture have committed sexual sins, such as Abraham, David, Solomon, most kings, etc. Many stories in the Bible are rated “R” and most Christians would not be allowed to see a movie based on it today. How would those men be treated in our churches today? Would they have been treated the same way our politicians and Christian leaders are treated when caught in sexual sin?</p> <p>6. Lastly, Ken Palmer, author of LifeofChrist.com, posted an article titled <a href="http://www.lifeofchrist.com/life/genealogy/women.html" title="“Women in the Genealogy of Christ.”" target="_blank">“Women in the Genealogy of Christ.”</a> “Matthew included five women in his genealogy of Christ. This is notable since it was not customary for Jews to include women in their records. Even more remarkable is the fact that Matthew included some women who had disreputable histories. The five women included were: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary.”</p> <p>What did this collection of articles, a blog post and verses bring to mind? Join the discussion by sharing your heart reactions on: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/BTMPodcast" title="Twitter" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/btmpodcast/" title="Facebook" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="mailto:bringtomind@moody.edu?subject=Millennials%20on%20Sexuality" title="Millennials on Sexuality">email</a>.</p> </div>
