Issues in Sexual Ethics

Continuation

A Theology of Sexuality

(continue from Oct.3^rd)

3. a theological justification for having children

1. God commands "to be fruitful and multiply"--a moral dimension
2. Just as the genders are made for each other so that they will not be

1. a command to create community
2. God's triune community reflected in the human family and society

1. the command make it obligatory to make the world better so to welcome

3. why should intercourse only be in marriage?

1. Leviticus 20--the uniqueness of Israel
2. Genesis 2.24--the norm for sexual activity

1. Jesus adopts it in Matthew 19.5-9
2. Divorce cannot violate the norm

1. Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy. 5--Seventh Commandment

1. Israel condemned for acting like an adulterous

1. Ephesians 5--the parallel between marriage and triune God

1. the virtue of fidelity
2. sex is a sign of faithfulness

e. I Corinthians 7.35-31--the relative value of marriage and the right of "singlehood"

Sex and The Virtue of Temperance

1. Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics III)--temperance is a "cardinal virtue"
2. It deals with natural pleasures and drives/necessities
3. The excess--delights more than what one should
4. The defect--is pained more than he ought at not getting pleasant things
5. Temperance--not pained at the absence of what is pleasant and its abstinence

1. do not love pleasures more than they are worth
2. pleasures are justified by contributing to what is noble
3. eating--health
4. intercourse--marriage

Sex and Love

1. Eros and Agape

1. sex is usually associated with eros
2. with the physical--involuntary and natural
3. with the social--voluntary and moral
4. the issue--does the "form" promote love
5. love as philia--friendship
6. love as agape--gelassenheit: an abandonment to the other as to a higher truth

1. Romantic Love

1. under a spell--overwhelmed; vacillates between bliss and agony and tragedy
2. seen to be involuntary and hence is morally dubious
3. a weak justification for love

1. Natural Love (Freudian)

1. a basic instinct
2. human relations--to reconcile sexual ambiguities
3. hence either frustrating or sensual without love to the other

1. A Theology of Love

1. doctrine of creation--sex is part of the goodness of creation (not concupiscence carnis; St. Augustine)
2. "one flesh"--eros transformed into philia

1. fornication--against nature
2. adultery--against the norm

1. doctrine of the church--sex becomes an exemplification of Christ's love

1. philia is transformed into agape

1. doctrine of eschatology--resurrection of the Body