SEXUAL ETHICS
THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY
Sex Outside of Marriage
Christianity traditionally condemns extra- and premarital sex. It is considered to be
against the will of God and contrary to the need for self-control against physical
desires.
‘It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual
immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way
that is holy and honourable’ – Thessalonians 4:3-4
Sex is also considered to be fundamental to the binding contract of marriage. This
exclusive bond cannot be made with more than one person because sex makes two
people inseparably one flesh.
‘That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wide, and
they become one flesh’ – Genesis 2:24
Sexual relations are therefore intended to take place solely within marriage. In such
an environment, sexual relationships can be something to be celebrated, especially
when the result in childbirth.
In the New Testament, Jesus does not say very much about sexual ethics. Paul
emphasised the spiritual value of celibacy and encouraged marriage as a measure
only for those unable to achieve this.
The Catholic Church today emphasises the importance of sex exclusively within
marriage, which itself cannot be dissolved through divorce.
Modern, evangelical Christian groups have also promoted abstinence until marriage,
including organisations such as Silver Ring Thing and True Love Waits.
However, not all Christians hold this traditional view of sex, prohibiting it outside of
marriage. While the Church of England encourages people to have sex only within
marriage, it now accepts couples in long-term relationships cohabiting and having
sex before marriage as a step on the path to marriage. Many liberal Protestants
accept loving couples having sex before marriage, and some accept any consensual
sexual relationships
Contraception
There is no explicit mention of contraception in the Bible, apart from the emphasis
that God wants humans to procreate, and contraception is obviously contrary to this.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY
Sex Outside of Marriage
Christianity traditionally condemns extra- and premarital sex. It is considered to be
against the will of God and contrary to the need for self-control against physical
desires.
‘It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual
immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way
that is holy and honourable’ – Thessalonians 4:3-4
Sex is also considered to be fundamental to the binding contract of marriage. This
exclusive bond cannot be made with more than one person because sex makes two
people inseparably one flesh.
‘That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wide, and
they become one flesh’ – Genesis 2:24
Sexual relations are therefore intended to take place solely within marriage. In such
an environment, sexual relationships can be something to be celebrated, especially
when the result in childbirth.
In the New Testament, Jesus does not say very much about sexual ethics. Paul
emphasised the spiritual value of celibacy and encouraged marriage as a measure
only for those unable to achieve this.
The Catholic Church today emphasises the importance of sex exclusively within
marriage, which itself cannot be dissolved through divorce.
Modern, evangelical Christian groups have also promoted abstinence until marriage,
including organisations such as Silver Ring Thing and True Love Waits.
However, not all Christians hold this traditional view of sex, prohibiting it outside of
marriage. While the Church of England encourages people to have sex only within
marriage, it now accepts couples in long-term relationships cohabiting and having
sex before marriage as a step on the path to marriage. Many liberal Protestants
accept loving couples having sex before marriage, and some accept any consensual
sexual relationships
Contraception
There is no explicit mention of contraception in the Bible, apart from the emphasis
that God wants humans to procreate, and contraception is obviously contrary to this.
