Sexuality and Marriage

Presbyterians Pro-Life

Teaching our children the biblical message about their sexuality

(Reprinted from Presbyterians Pro-Life NEWS, Spring 1999)

The biblical connection between sexuality and marriage
The Bible does not promote abstinence from sexual relationships. It blesses the expression of sexuality as an aspect of the oneness in the marriage between a man and a woman. ...And they become one flesh, is presented as the culmination and apex of the Creation account in Genesis 2.

John Calvin comments that this one-ness of flesh is comprehensive of our humanity: the sexual union signifies the intimacy of making a complete person. That is why the Bible tells us that human beings ought not put asunder what God has joined (Matt. 19:6). This whole matter of the marriage union is a mystery. The Apostle Paul explains that it represents an even greater mystery of Christ and his Church (Eph. 5:31-32). All of this makes the Church's teaching on sexuality of utmost importance.

PC(USA) sexuality curricula opposes the biblical message
The PC(USA) sexuality curriculum, developed for children and youth from preschool through high school, contains teachings which are in direct opposition to the biblical message on sexuality. The curricula says, for example,

We [meaning the Church] favor the general availability of contraceptive devices to persons who desire them. We consciously include the availability of contraceptives to unmarried persons in this recommendation (preschool parents guide, p. 36).

The curriculum represents the stand of our church on homosexuality in this way:

Yes, there are those within the church who believe that gays or lesbians should be ordained as officers and ministers. There are also those who believe that homosexuality is sinful. The stand of our church is to encourage all church members to continue dialogue within the church. We believe there is always the possibility for more light to break forth from Gods Spirit to aid our understanding (preschool parents guide, p. 41).

The PC(USA) upholds fidelity in marriage and chastity in singleness
Our denomination has taken a repeated and unequivocal stand in opposition to the ordination of unrepentant homosexual behavior. That opposition is expressed in the constitution of our denomination. Last year's General Assembly took a stand affirming the role and responsibility of our churches to teach sexual purity to our youth, (click here) applying the constitutional position of fidelity in marriage and chastity in singleness to the instruction of our children.

The denomination's sexuality curriculum is seriously in opposition to the clear standards of our denomination in the very area they address. Overture 99-46 asks the General Assembly to direct denominational offices to cease distribution of the sexuality curricula and bring all its parts into conformity with biblical and constitutional standards on sexuality before asking the General Assembly to reinstate distribution.

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