Christianity's Obsession with Sex

The speaker resumes the history, theology, and philosophy lecture series after a busy summer of traveling. He explains the live, interactive nature of the lectures, where questions can be submitted via YouTube and Facebook. He invites viewers to visit centerplace.ca/lectures for the full catalog and encourages donations to support the lectures. Upcoming lectures are announced, including one on the shift of Christianity's focus from Jerusalem to Rome and another on monarchy in Mormonism.

The speaker discusses Christianity's historical prohibition on dancing, referencing the 1984 movie 'Footloose' and how it mirrors real-life restrictions in various Christian denominations. He mentions artifacts from Community of Christ that illustrate a strict moral path contrasting with a broad path leading to damnation. This segment explores how historically, even seemingly innocent activities like dancing were seen as gateways to sin.

This segment delves into the concept of sin within Christianity, highlighting how the term is often closely associated with sex. The speaker mentions Augustine of Hippo's definition of sin and discusses how modern Christianity has emphasized sexual sins over other ethical issues. He critiques this narrow focus and the resultant unhealthy attitudes towards sex.

The speaker analyzes Jesus' teachings on sex as preserved in the New Testament. He notes that Jesus rarely discussed sex, focusing instead on love and other moral principles. The few instances where Jesus did address sex include prohibitions on divorce, leering, and the story of the woman taken in adultery. These teachings often reject literal interpretations of Mosaic law in favor of higher spiritual ideals.

This segment covers Jesus' stance on divorce, as recorded in multiple gospels and Paul's letters. The speaker explains how Jesus prohibited divorce, seeing it as a continuation of the marital bond despite separation. He also discusses an exception for sexual immorality introduced in Matthew, and Jesus' broader call for ethical behavior beyond strict adherence to Mosaic law.

The speaker recounts the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery, a narrative found in the Gospel of John. He highlights Jesus' response to the accusers, emphasizing forgiveness and rejecting literal punishment according to Mosaic law. This story is used to illustrate Jesus' broader teachings against judgment and hypocrisy.

The speaker delves into Paul's extensive writings on sex and marriage. Paul advocates for celibacy as an ideal but permits marriage as a concession for those lacking self-control. The segment explores Paul's practical advice to early Christian communities and his belief in the impending end of the world, which influenced his views on marriage and sexual relations.

This section covers Paul's condemnation of same-sex relations, interpreting them as a consequence of idolatry and moral disorder. The speaker discusses Paul's views on Mosaic law and covetousness, and how these reflections have shaped Christian attitudes towards homosexuality. The segment also touches on scholarly interpretations of Paul's possible personal struggles with sexual orientation.

The speaker examines the influence of Hebrew Bible and Mosaic law on early Christian attitudes towards sex. He notes that while Mosaic law regulated sexual activity, it did not promote celibacy as an ideal. Instead, key figures in the Hebrew Bible, including priests and prophets, were often married. The segment highlights the contrast between Jewish and early Christian sexual ethics.

This segment discusses ritual purity in the Hebrew Bible, particularly the Nazirite vows. The speaker explains how vows of abstinence from wine and hair-cutting were part of consecration to God, but did not include abstinence from sex. He uses the story of Samson to illustrate these points and contrasts it with later Christian ascetic practices.

The speaker explores the impact of Greco-Roman philosophical traditions on early Christian thought, particularly the influence of Platonism and Stoicism. He explains how these philosophies emphasized self-control and abstinence, shaping early Christian views on the material world and sex. The segment highlights the blending of philosophical and religious ideas in the development of Christian doctrine.

This section covers the role of early Christian desert monks in promoting ascetic practices, including celibacy. The speaker describes how these monks became spiritual superstars through their extreme self-discipline and rejection of carnal desires. Their influence helped shape Christian attitudes towards sex and contributed to the decline of pagan practices.

The speaker reflects on the themes of continuity and change in religious practices. He discusses how philosophical and religious trends in the Greco-Roman world influenced early Christianity. The segment emphasizes that while Christianity adopted many Greco-Roman ideas, it also transformed them, leading to the complex interplay of innovation and tradition in religious development.

The speaker calls for a reassessment of Christianity's long history of promoting unhealthy attitudes towards sex. He argues that these attitudes are not intrinsic to the religion and have often led to unnecessary guilt and suffering. He advocates for a focus on more relevant social justice issues and emphasizes the importance of responsible and ethical behavior in sexual relationships.

This segment highlights the Community of Christ's progress in affirming LGBTQ rights and women's leadership roles. However, the speaker acknowledges the ongoing issues, such as the priesthood cohabitation policy, which still imposes restrictions based on outdated sexual ethics. He calls for continued reform to align church practices with contemporary values of justice and equality.

The speaker responds to various audience questions, addressing topics such as the influence of the Song of Solomon on Christian thought, Paul's teachings on sex, and the impact of the Second Great Awakening on sexual attitudes. He provides insights into historical and theological contexts, offering a nuanced understanding of complex issues related to sex and Christianity.