“Drink Your Fill.” – Christian Sex Shouldn’t Be Boring
Sex is fun. Good sex is really fun. I don’t think these truths would come as a surprise to people with healthy sex lives. Between hormonal chemistry and nervous [...]
sin
My Joseph Journey – The Prison Staff
I use the term prison staff to keep the label deliberately ambiguous. Most outsiders would simply call them “guards” collectively. Most insiders call them [...]
Confronting Boundaries — Part 1
I recently wrote about my recognition that some boundaries aren’t as universally absolute as some Christians believe. Murder is wrong across the board, but can the same [...]
Confronting Boundaries — Part 2
I take a systematic, methodical approach when confronting boundaries (or assessing any potential truth) because it produces reliable results. I've adapted John Wesley's quadrilateral to this task, since my personal boundaries are essentially doctrine or truth applied to me personally. [...]
Scripture on Masturbation
The dreaded “m” word. There are so many colloquial labels for the act. My personal favorite is used at my church’s men’s groups: “Taking matters [...]
S&M: Sinister & Malignant or Sexy & Mysterious – Part 2
We’re considering the viability of sadism and masochism (commonly referred to as S&M) in a Christian marriage. The prospect is daunting — after all, the whole [...]
Strip Club Witness
In a theological discussion about the more relative aspects of sin and temptation, a friend once posed an unexpected question to me. In this, he postulated a scenario wherein [...]
1 Corinthians 6:9 – Effeminate (malakos)
The word malakos in 1 Corinthians 6:9 is one of the more difficult to translate on the list. The NASB and KJV use “effeminate” while the NIV offers “male [...]
On the Boundaries of Sin
The nonbeliever often perceives Christianity as being a set of arbitrary rules and regulations to follow in order to meet some equally arbitrary goal that permits some reward called "heaven" after one's death. The mature believer, apart from knowing no obedience to a set of rules (arbitrary or not) is sufficient for heavenly rewards, recognizes the Law of God to be not arbitrary at all. Rather, His rules are for our best interests. [...]
On Christian Modesty in Dress
Are Christians supposed to dress modestly? And what does that even mean? Can my wife wear a plunging neckline or a miniskirt for me to enjoy on a date night? What is [...]
Ramifications of Hebrews 13:4 – Free [Indeed] Sex
Previously, I wrote about the precise language used in Hebrews 13:4 that offers a clearly-drawn line in how we as married couples can honor or defile our marriage bed or the [...]
The Novelty of Nudity
When I became a parent, I determined I would not raise children who would be ashamed of their bodies. Modesty, privacy, and self-respect were qualities I wanted to pass on to [...]
Sin of the Mouth – Is Oral Sex Sinful?
Sodomy. Not good, right? I mean, look how it turned out for Sodom. Their sin was “grievous” according to the outcry reported by the Lord, and He destroyed the [...]
1 Corinthians 6:9 – Idolaters (eidōlolatrēs)
Idolatry. The word just sounds rustic. Ancient. It brings to mind images of giant golden statues of animals surrounded by people in robes and other period attire. It [...]
Rearing Familiarity
Last week, I posted about my prior soul (and Bible and lots of other) searching about strategically raising children who don’t enter adulthood weighed down by body [...]
Sinister & Malignant or Sexy & Mysterious – Part 1
Stigma & Menace S&M, or sadism and masochism, has developed a heavy reputation for creeps with superiority complexes, emotionally challenged women in leather, and a [...]
Adultery with Your Wife
Prior to writing the Latin Vulgate, St. Jerome was so haunted by sexual fantasies of “bands of dancing girls” he was unable to quench his own “fires of [...]
1 Corinthians 6:9 – Fornicators (pornos)
The first word Paul uses in his 1 Corinthians 6:9 list of kingdom-noninheritors is pornos, a word translated as “fornicators” in the NASB and KJV and as the [...]
1 Corinthians 6:9 – Summary
In Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth, he offers a lot of tough but encouraging words of instruction regarding how to live life. Within these few chapters, he [...]
Procreation, Not Recreation – Is Sex for Procreation Only?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reads, “A child does not come from outside as something added on to the mutual love of the spouses, but springs from the [...]