A theology and ethics on sex for singles: a biblical-historical analysis and an adventist proposal for sexual education
Keywords:
sexual ethics, marriage, Sexual Revolution, Adventist singles, sexual education.Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze the theology and ethics on sex for single Christian youth. A biblical-historical analysis was used, as well as a field research based on data collected from young people. It also intended to offer an Adventist proposal for sexual education for singles, based on the historical development of the issue, especially in the context of present adventist reality. The Sexual Revolution of the 1960’s raised itself against the Victorian traditional values based on Augustinian philosophy that prevailed from Middle Ages until mid-twenty century. Augustine believed that sex, even in marriage, was always sinful, unless it were practiced for procreation. The 60’s new liberalism, however, influenced even Adventist young people. Twenty percent of the 1.334 young people who participated in the research have already had sexual intercourse. This changing reality is much dependent on a personal understanding of the meaning of biblical love, freedom, and responsibility. A reversal of this situation would come from a commitment to God that implies waiting for the right time and place for sexual expression within marriage. There is a hormonal and social pressure for Christian youth to get involved in sexual intercourse. Among the Adventist young people who have given in to this pressure, some have done it because of lack of moral and spiritual strength, others by personal choice. In reality, all of them were victims of permissive ethics in relation to pre-marital sex. It is our task to make them aware that a responsible behavior is based on an active principle of love that is concerned only with good. If young people would be properly oriented they would make the decision to wait, not because of fear of an unwanted pregnancy, sexual diseases, interruption of studies or of a carrier, but rather because they would be motivated by the biblical principle of love.Downloads
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