HUMAN SEXUALITY - HOLINESS TODAY
HUMANSEXUALITY:GOD’S SACREDandThere3 LetBe LightI Cannot14 WhyIdentify as a GayChristianHigh34 AStandardforGod’s People 4.95November/December 2019holinesstoday.orgCHURCH OF THENAZARENEBEAUTIFUL GIFT
HOLINESS TODAYNOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019V O L. 21, N O. 6E D I TO R I N C H I E FFrank M. MooreTHEDISCIPLESHIPPLACEM A N AG I N G E D I TO RJordan P. EigstiCO N T E N T E D I TO RNathanael GilmoreDESIGNERAVAILABLE WEBINARS:Kevin WilliamsonGENERAL SUPERINTENDENTSEugénio DuarteDavid GravesDavid BusicGustavo CrockerFili ChamboCarla SunbergG E N E R A L S E C R E TA R YTOWARDS A BIBLICAL THEOLOGYOF SHAME AND LOVEHOPE AND HEALING: HELPING LEADERSHELP THOSE STRUGGLING WITH PORNOGRAPHYGary HartkeMARRIAGE CRISIS: PORNOGRAPHY’SDESTRUCTIVE IMPACTHoliness TodayPO Box 351 Congers NY 10920-0351Phone: 1-845-267-3040 FAX: 1-845-267-3478;Email: HT@cambeywest.comWeb: holinesstoday.orgSubscription price: 16.00 (U.S.) per year.Editorial offices:Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center:17001 Prairie Star Parkway Lenexa, KS 66220Phone: 1-913-577-0500Email: holinesstoday@nazarene.orgPostmaster: Please send address changes to:RECLAIMING WHOLENESS: MINISTRY, DISCIPLESHIP,AND SEXUALLY ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORALL NEW WEBINAR November 14th: THE CHALLENGEHELPING PARENTS, YOUNG ADULTS, AND YOUTHBREAK FREE FROM THE ONSLAUGHT OF PORNOGRAPHYREGISTER ONLINE: DiscipleshipPlace.orgHoliness TodayPO Box 351 Congers NY 10920-0351.Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, MO.Canadian GST No. R129017471.M E M B E R E V A N G E L I C A LP R E S S A S S O C I A T I O NP H OTO C R E D I T S :Istockphoto—OFC, 3, 14, 16, 18, 22, 30, 34; Jeff Purganan for 23Images Photography—2; Kevin Williamson—4, 26, 27 (stainedglass pieces compliments of Creative Art Glass Station); EricEastman, Unsplash—8; BGS—36All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, aretaken from the Holy Bible, New International Version , NIV .Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used bypermission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” aretrademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. Holiness Today (IS SN 1523-7788) is published bimonthlyby the Church of the Nazarene, Inc., Global Ministry Center,17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, KS 66220. Address allcorrespondence concerning subscriptions to:The Discipleship Placeis intended to equip youfor ministry in your localchurch, community,neighborhood, family,and workplace.DiscipleshipPlace.org
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019HOLINESSTODAY.ORGConnecting readers with themessage and mission of holiness.Speakingthe Truthin Love4SPEAKING THE TRUTH INLOVE—Filimão Chambo8REFLECTING HIS IMAGE—Janet Dean14WHY I CANNOT IDENTIFY ASA GAY CHRISTIAN—Tim Stephansen18FAITHFUL LOVE, REVEALEDAND EMBODIED—Doug Van Nest22MARRIAGE: THERE IS MOREAT STAKE THAN YOU THINK—Kent Olney26 STAINED GLASS SEXUALITY—Todd Bowman30 SEXUAL VIOLENCE—An Interview with RebeccaSukanenReflectingHis Image4Why I CannotIdentify as a GayChristian814“The Church of the Nazareneviews human sexuality as oneexpression of the holiness andbeauty that God the Creatorintended. Because all humansare beings created in the imageof God, they are of inestimablevalue and worth. As a result webelieve that human sexuality ismeant to include more than thesensual experience, and is a giftof God designed to reflectthe whole of our physical andrelational createdness.”—From the Church of the NazareneManual ¶31COLUMNS2EDITORIAL: Following Directions—Frank Moore3GALLERY INTRO: Let There Be Light—Nathanael Gilmore34HT CLASSIC: A High Standard forGod’s People—Ivan Beals36COMPASS: Do You Want to beMade Whole?—Gustavo CrockerH O L I N E S S T O D AY. O R G1
E D I TO R I A Lfrank m. moore—editor in chiefFOLLOWINGDIRECTIONSIbrought home a box of unassembled parts from a furniturestore last week. It seemed like a good idea to purchase thefurniture unassembled as I wanted to save money. However,the enormity of the task sunk in as I laid the parts on the livingroom floor. I wish I knew who came up with the idea of throwinga pile of wood and a bag of screws in a box and challenging theconsumer to make furniture out of it!The challenge became even more complicated when I could not make sense of thepoorly written directions and the supposedly simple drawings. So, I ignored them andassembled the pieces like a big jigsaw puzzle. This was not a good idea! I usually get introuble if I do not follow directions carefully.That reminder also applies to the lifestyle choices we make on a daily basis. Routinepatterns of living often lull us into believingthat our choices have no lasting effect. WeGod intervened longcan easily ignore negative consequences orago by giving uslong-term effects of our choices because theydo not seem to warrant immediate concern.directions for living.Unfortunately, many people live their dailylives according to what their needs and wants urge them to do.Proverbs 16:25 reminds us, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end itleads to death.” Thankfully, God does not leave us to our limited reasoning capacitiesto figure out which lifestyle choices are best for us. God offers clear directions for living in Exodus 20:1-17. I know many people have relegated the Ten Commandmentsto the dusty shelves of a rundown antique store. We must never forget God alwayshas our best interest in mind when giving such valuable directions.“The Church of the Nazarene purposes to relate timeless biblicalprinciples to contemporary society in such a way that the doctrinesand covenants of the church may be known and understood inmany lands and within a variety of cultures. We hold that the TenCommandments, as reaffirmed in the New Testament teachings ofJesus Christ, demonstrated most fully and concisely in the GreatCommandment and the Sermon on the Mount constitute thebasic Christian ethic.”—Church of the Nazarene 2017-2021 Manual ¶28.12HT N/D 19We often lament the brokenness,hurt, and pain people experience.Many times, psychological fracturingand dysfunctional relationships findorigin in ignoring the guidelines forsexual relations and conduct stated inCommandments 7 and 10. Committingadultery and coveting another person’smate always lead to pain, heartache,and a long list of damages suffered byinnocent family members and friends.Some ask why God does not interveneto alleviate the pain, heartache, anddamage. The truth of the matter isGod intervened long ago by giving usdirections for living. We have the privilege and responsibility of making dailychoices that either promote wholesomeliving or lead to self-destruction.Every culture and society in our worldsuffers from the damaging effects ofsexual misconduct in its varied forms.This issue of Holiness Today offersChristian perspectives on many of theseissues through the lens of God’s directions. As you read these articles, youmay think of individuals impacted bysuch sin. We trust that the informationand insights in these articles will betools in your hand for ministry. PerhapsGod can use you to speak with friendsand family members about God’s directions for holy living. Share with themthe good news of the transformingpower of the Holy Spirit to lead individuals out of the bondage, shame, anddestructiveness of sexual sin. Remindthem that God loves them very muchand offers bright hope through forgiveness and restoration.You are always welcome to requestextra copies of this issue of HolinessToday. Simply email your request toholinesstoday@nazarene.org. Pleaseindicate how many copies you requirealong with your name and mailingaddress. Who knows, God may useyou to put this information into thehands of someone who will be eternallychanged.Frank Moore is editor in chief of Holiness Today
LET THERE BELIGHTby N A T H A N A E L G I L M O R EOur worship of Christ is essential in the ordering of life. Putting God first in all aspects and respondingto His call must be the central focus of each Christian. When God is not glorified, a disordering occursfor the individual that ripples into society. In this chaotic and fallen state, creation worships itself ora distorted view of the Creator—the truth about God is traded for a lie. Thus, human desire gets fractured, “resulting in behaviors that elevate self-sovereignty, damage and objectify the other, and darkenthe path of human desire.” Nothing but the light of salvation can redeem the world from the chaos anddistortion that separate man from God.In our pride, we selfishly claim our identity; in our fear, we reject it. It is only by faith that we come toknow God and who He created us to be. The idolatry of worshiping oneself and the distortion of identity through sexual promiscuity harm both those who are engaged in this sin and those who encounterits destructive path. The Church must proclaim the truth and mercy of God against the lie of falseidentity and for those caught in sexual sin. The people of God must show the world that sin is notGod’s plan for us. True identity and freedom are found only in Christ.“The Church of the Nazarene affirms that the human body matters to God” and that “our senses, sexualappetites, ability to experience pleasure, and desire for connection must be shaped out of the very character of God.” God created us out of an expression of His love, and through this love relationship, wecome to know Him. God is relational, represented in the Trinity, and we were created in His image witha longing for connection. This connection is found “as we live in covenanted relationship with God, thecreation, and loving one’s neighbor as one’s self.” We affirm that God blesses singleness and marriagealike, and that both require active faithfulness to God. Marriage reflects the unity of Christ and theChurch. It is in this covenantal relationship that God intends for man and woman to “experience thejoy and pleasure of sexual intimacy.”This issue of Holiness Today follows the Church of the Nazarene’s Manual statement on human sexuality and provides a deeper reflection of Christ and His relationship to our identity. Each article andauthor encompasses God’s redemption of human sexuality and our call to make Christ the center ofour lives.The restoration of creation, society, and individuals can happen only through the re-centering of Godas our focus of worship. We glorify God as Creator, Savior, and sustainer of creation. Our faith in thesalvation of Christ and the decision to turn away from sin initiate renewal and restoration. Throughloving and nourishing relationships with our neighbors, we can share this truth and bring the lost tothe light of salvation.All quotations come from the Church of the Nazarene 2017-2021 Manual, ¶ 31. The Church of the Nazarene affirms the authority ofScripture as the rule of faith and practice (Deut. 4:2, 12:32).H O L I N E S S T O D AY. O R G3
SPEAKING THE TRUTHby F I L I C H A M B O“Our leaders and pastors are expected to givestrong emphasis in our periodicals and fromour pulpits to such fundamental biblical truthsas will develop the faculty of discriminationbetween the evil and the good.” — Church of theNazarene 2017-2021 Manual ¶28.54HT N/D 19
INLOVEThe globally unified Nazarenefamily seeks to speak the truthin love as we share our Christianwitness with the world. Anexample of this in found in ourManual ¶28-35. This Covenantof Christian Conduct reminds us of the criticalrole spiritual interpretation plays in shaping lifetogether. This covenant does not reflect a seriesof randomly selected moral statements. Rather, itrepresents the global Nazarene conscience.Birthed from the guidance of the Holy Spirit andbiblical interpretive strategies, we have adoptedthese beliefs as we seek to faithfully follow Christ.We must remember this as we engage meaningfully with other believers who use different interpretative lenses. Furthermore, clergy and laityalike must faithfully continue to study, be open tothe illumination and guidance of the Holy Spirit,interpret with Wesleyan-holiness lens, and writeand preach on moral issues.H O L I N E S S T O D AY. O R G5
The relativism and diversity within global cultures complicate writing and preachingon moral issues. The easy path invites us to refrain from addressing moral issues soas not to step on toes. However, we must speak to these issues in order to accomplish our critical denominational objectives.1 We must also teach what it means tolive out the practical application of our beliefs. Hence, the Manual ¶28.5: “Our leaders and pastors are expected to give strong emphasis in our periodicals and from ourpulpits to such fundamental biblical truths as will develop the faculty of discrimination between the evil and the good.”Some of my life verses come from Psalm 1.Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wickedor stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,and who meditates on his law day and night.That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yields its fruit in seasonand whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.Not so the wicked!They are like chaff that the wind blows away.Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.Ilearned this Psalm as a child; its truth sunk deeply in my mind and soul. Itreminds me of the need to avoid destructive paths. It urges us to develop strategies that recognize and understand the difference between good and evil. Itreminds me that good and evil coexist in my world. However, as a child of God,I am called to shun evil and live a holy life. In reading this Psalm, I used to hear thewords evil and wickedness only in relation to people who do not profess to be fol1 “The critical objectives of the Church of the Nazarene are ‘holy Christian fellowship, the conversionof sinners, the entire sanctification of believers, their upbuilding in holiness ” Church of the NazareneManual 2017 – 2021, 5.AS A CHILD OF GOD, I AMCALLED TO SHUN EVILAND LIVE A HOLY LIFE.6HT N/D 19
lowers of Christ. However, over the years, I have come to know that, if given room,wickedness can also infiltrate the lives of those who profess faith in Christ.Evil often appears harmless. If we are not firm in our beliefs, the cultural voicesaround us (intentionally or unintentionally) can suggest that we are on the rightpath; later we realize that such detours have led us astray from fundamental biblicaltruths. God’s truth matters! Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really mydisciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:3132). Jesus implies that when we hold to His teachings, we will know the truth.To live faithfully as Christlike disciples, we must give attention to biblicaltruth. “The most basic decision to follow God’s direction makes it possible to be rooted, grounded, and fruitful. The wisdom teacher in Psalm 1operates from the belief that God created a moral order to life. He hasobserved that openness to divine instruction brings the possibility for full living.What directs life — how people live — matters. Thus, the poet places before hearersand readers the most basic decision about living. The psalmist’s hope is that readers and hearers will choose life in connection with God and God’s Torah, and soembrace life’s fruitful possibilities.”2As people living new life in Christ, we must put off the old patterns of conduct aswell as the carnal mind and put on a new and holy way of life as well as the mindof Christ.3 The Lord, our God, who saved us from sin and transformed us into thelikeness of Christ, continues to work with us. He transforms us, both individuallyand collectively, to live an alternative way of life in this world where good and evilcoexist.Christ empowers us to live a holy life. “His divine power has given us everything weneed for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own gloryand goodness. Through these, he has given us his very great and precious promises,so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped thecorruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:3-4).2 Peter 1 invites us to deepen our walk with the Lord. This requires spiritual discipline and reminds us that we are on a journey with the Lord. God continuouslytransforms us in Christlikeness. Thus, teaching and preaching about moral issues isvital for building the body of Christ. We must speak biblical truth in our crazy worldthat offers confusing moral messages. May God grant us the courage to speak thetruth in love to our generation.Fili Chambo is a general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene.2 Walter Brueggemann and William H. Bellinger, Jr., Psalms (New Cambridge Bible Commentary), (NewYork: Cambridge University Press, 2014).3 Church of the Nazarene Manual 2017 – 2021, ¶28; Ephesians 4:17-24H O L I N E S S T O D AY. O R G7
8HT N/D 19
REFLECTINGHIS IMAGEby J A N E T D E A N“Because all humans are beings created in the image ofGod, they are of inestimable value and worth. As a resultwe believe that human sexuality is meant to include morethan the sensual experience, and is a gift of God designed toreflect the whole of our physical and relational createdness.”Church of the Nazarene 2017-2021 Manual ¶31.Who am I?Each of us wrestles with this fundamental question.Society, bound by identity politics, tells us our iden-tity is found in what we do, what we look like, whowe love, what we enjoy, or what we believe. We mighteven convince ourselves this is true. Yet, each ofthese false sources of identity hinders us from fully becoming who God createdus to be because each source is rooted in our fallen human nature rather than inGod Himself.We hear this identity question echoed throughout Scripture. Moses asks God,“Who am I?” (Exod. 3:11), but then the deeper question, “Who are You?”(Exod. 3:13). The Lord answers, “I am Who I Am’” (Exod. 3:13–15). KingDavid asks, “Who am I, O Lord God?” (2 Sam. 7:18b), and the Psalmist asks,“What is mankind that You are mindful of them?” (Ps. 8:4a). Jesus asks Hisdisciples, “Who do you say I am?” (Luke 9:18-20). And, on the Damascus road,Saul cries out, “Who are you, Lord?” (Acts 9:5a), and receives his own newidentity in return.Because “God created humankind in His image” (Gen. 1:27a), to truly knowourselves, we must first know who our Creator is. We can do that reliably onlyH O L I N E S S T O D AY. O R G9
through God’s written Word, the Bible, and what it revealsabout Christ Jesus, who “became flesh and made His dwellingamong us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one andonly Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth”(John 1:14).Too often, we begin with our own nature and our own desires,projecting these onto God as if He must be like us. Weattempt to contort Him into our image rather than allowingourselves to be transformed into His.BOTH MALE AND FEMALEInterestingly, God uses sex and sexuality to tell us both howwe were created and how He relates to us. In Genesis 1:27b,we’re told “male and female He created them,” and that thismale and female “become one flesh” in a garden they sharewith God (Gen. 2:24-25). Scripture is filled with additionalreferences to sexuality and marriage. In the heart of Scripture(Song of Songs), we find a beautiful story of passionate love—emotional, physical, relational, and spiritual—between a husband and a wife, a story celebrating “martial intimacy [which]is intended to reflect the union of Christ and the Church, amystery of grace.”1 The first miracle of Christ was at a wedding ceremony, an act that foreshadows the importance of themystical union of Christ and His Church (John 2:1-11). Thismarriage analogy will be used again throughout Christ’s ministry and by His apostles. In Revelation, we
views human sexuality as one expression of the holiness and beauty that God the Creator are beings created in the image of God, they are of inestimable value and worth. As a result we believe that human sexuality is meant to include more than the sensual experience, and is a gift of God designed to re ect the whole of our physical and
live a pure and sanctified life. God’s love and His holiness inseparably belong together. Without . God’s holiness, His love would be in danger of sentimentalism; with-out His love, God’s holiness would be stern and unapproachable. Both attributes, His love and His holiness, are foundational to His nature.
attributes of God: holiness, faithfulness, truthfulness, righteousness, justice, mercy, love-kindness, and love. I. The Holiness of God. If there is any difference in the importance of God’s attributes, it is evident that God’s holiness occupies first place. Holiness is the one attribute which our God would have,
holiness is the soul's right state toward God, it does not seem possible that a man can be holy so long as there is no conscious reconciliation between God and him. A spurious holiness there may be, founded upon a spurious peace, or upon no peace at all; but true holiness must start from a true and authentic peace.
THE HOLINESS OF GOD by RC SPROUL Central to God’s character is the quality of holiness. Yet, even so, most people are hard-pressed to define what God’s holiness precisely is. Many preachers today avoid the topic altogether because people today don’t quite know what to do with words like “awe” or “fear.” R. C.
National Sexuality Education Standards Introduction and Background The goal of the National Sexuality Education Standards: Core Content and Skills, K–12 is to provide clear, consistent and straightforward guidance on the essential minimum, core content for sexuality education that is developmen-
historical overview of sexuality education in the modern world. This also includes a brief account of single-sex education in America. The second chapter deals with the Islamic philosophy of sexuality education. It gives some indications about sexuality education during the contemporary as well as the early periods of Islamic history.
roles, sexuality, attractiveness, relationships, and sexual orientation. 8.3.G Support others in making positive and healthful choices about sexual behaviors. Lesson 3: Human Sexuality Be Real. Be Ready. 2 . today. The sexual decisions we make in life are not only connected to if we are attracted to someone or not,
MaMa Internal Power Centers Mastering the Energy of Body & Mind A. Thomas Perhacs
