resources on a Christian Vision of Sexuality

For the Love of the World

calvary edtalk

Has Christianity Been Good for Women?

The Christian religion has provided the primary philosophical outlook for the modern western world. Has Christianity been a force for good for women? Or has it tended to stand in the way of women’s progress? This Calvary Talk, given by Pastor Gerald Hiestand, explored the impact of Christianity on women in the contemporary landscape. Pastor Gerald’s talk was be responded to by a panel of three women leaders—Debbie Birkey (Hope International), Rae Paul (Center for Pastor Theologians), and Dr. Louisa Olushoga (Psychiatrist-Lawndale Christian Health Center).

calvary edtalk

Has Male-Only Eldership Been Good for Women?

How should Christians view the long-standing practice of male-only elders (i.e., presbyters)? Is male-only eldership a holdover from Christianity’s patriarchal past? Or is it possible that male-only eldership has, ironically and unexpectedly, been the key to women flourishing in the western world? This discussion, led by Pastor Gerald Hiestand, Christy Spader, and Rae Paul, explored the historical and theological impact of male-only eldership for the legitimate cause of women’s flourishing.

sermon series

For the Love of the World

This sermon series explores a Christian vision of sexuality. Sermons include “The Righteous Will Live by Faith,” “The Compassionate Presence of God,” “Putting on Christ: Our True Identity,” “Gender and Power,” and more.

Q&A Videos

Video 1—Ephesians 5:22–23

    1. Do you think it is possible for the "type” of marriage to be a form of idolatry—when pursuing a type becomes the goal and the archetype is forgotten?

    2. How you would explain sexuality to a non-believer, since they don’t share the same view of sex as an image of Christ and the Church? (3:00)

    3. You said that human nature is contrary to God's view of sex. Would this not then support the view that Christianity is against human flourishing? (5:03)

Video 2—Matthew 7:13–23

  • 1. At what point in the timeline of the Bible did polygamy stop being okay and why?

    2. How is Christianity's approach towards women in the OT similar/dissimilar to that of the NT? (2:45)

    3. How does the theme of the firstborn son promote the flourishing of women? Or, “Isn’t it really just sexist?” (4:40)

    4. As a single woman, I feel comfortable in my role to nurture life around me through mentoring/teaching others, beautifying spaces, and providing a kind of comfort and support a mother might offer. However, I have no idea what single men are supposed to do other than protect the vulnerable from other men. What does a healthy understanding of masculinity tell us about how single males should interact with society? (7:20)

    5. Is there a different kind of damage that men can do to women if they abdicate their role as “head”? (12:08)

    6. My question concerns Catholics and their practice of not using contraception, nor doing anything to prevent procreation. I would like to know if this is biblical, and why the Protestant church isn't of the same opinion or belief concerning this. (14:38)

    7. Is there any space within the context of a marriage to participate in other types of sex—very specifically, oral, anal, or manual stimulation? (29:17)

Video 3

  • 1. What’s the relationship between orientation, desire, and behavior?

    2. If a man has a same-sex attraction, is this because he is born with a sin nature? Does he need to repent of this or fight against it? Should he feel guilty about it? (7:20)

    3. When a person who practices homosexuality becomes a Christian (becomes a new creation), is it better to consider him (or her) a Christian who still at times struggles with same sex attraction, rather than a gay Christian? (9:23)

    4. Do you think it should be the goal of the church to try to impose its ethic on the broader culture, through political means? Why or why not? (12:15)

    5. In your sermon you mentioned three men with same sex desire who are married with children. Were these men married to women or men? (15:30)

    6. I’ve heard over the years, that “people are born that way,” meaning their sexual orientation. Are we born with this or do we develop it over time. If we are born with it, why would God create in us sinful preferences? (15:44)

    7. We all need to repent from our sins. When someone chooses to live a sinful lifestyle, don’t we have the responsibility to tell them in a loving way to repent? Even Jesus told the women at the well to go and sin no more. (19:45)

    8. I didn’t understand when you were comparing the Civil Rights Movement with the Gay Rights Movement. How can the human rights of a person of color be compared to the rights of a person who wants to live a sinful lifestyle? Please explain. (21:20)

    9. I would say that the gay rights movement is more than just a reaction to seeing the success of the civil rights movement. While the connection may be true on one level, I think people on the gay/trans/bi/gender non-conforming spectrum just want to be people treated with dignity and respect and to not have to live in the shadows. I think this desire for dignity and respect without discrimination extends back into human history long prior to the 1960s. (23:38)

    10. I am starting to come to the opinion that people who are LGBTQ+ are not just expressing a preference but are expressing something that is more intrinsic to them. Part of me fears that when people call it a preference, what they really mean is, “Stuff your identity and feelings down so that we can't see you. If you can do that, then there’s no need for gay/trans rights.” (26:05)

    11. Pastor Gerald’s comments on Becket Cook’s testimony, from gay lifestyle to Christian lifestyle. (31:15)

    12. Pastor Gerald’s comments on Lisa Diamon’s research regarding sexual plasticity and evolving sexual orientations. (31:25)

Video 4

  • 1. Don’t pro-abortionists use the fact that being a single mom is a quick route to poverty as support for why we need abortions? The easiest way to avoid becoming a poor, single parent is to avoid becoming a parent at all.

    2. Other than raising children, what are ways that womanhood and manhood can be lived out in the marriage relationship? (3:09)

    3. I was told growing up that no sin was more wrong than another. Why does the Bible create the idea that sexual sin is greater than others? (5:07)

    4. As a parent, I desire for my kids to have a clear understanding of the Christian sexual ethic and be able to be in healthy friendships with those with different orientations and beliefs. I feel like i need to model this as a parent and also talk about it with my kids in age-appropriate ways. Do you have any advice, additional resources, or pastoral words to parents and broadly to the church as we disciple our kids? (8:30)

    5. If sex is not a necessary human activity and if sex in marriage should have a procreative aim, how should 1 Corinthians 7:5 be rightly understood? (12:17)

Books

Book Resources

Podcast

“For the Love of the World” Podcast Series