Posted on 08/25/2016 5:24:13 PM PDT by Gamecock
Bucking against conservative Christian tradition advising against extra-marital sex, the Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan, a married mother of three and associate pastor for ministry with families at Union Church of Hinsdale in Illinois, says single Christians can have sex as long as it's "mutually pleasurable and affirming."
Citing 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, many Mainline Protestant and evangelical churches like the Assemblies of God Church, advise against sexual relations among single Christians.
"Today within our society singles exist for one of two reasons by choice, or by circumstance. In either case the Bible's mandate is clear for all unmarried individuals: they are to remain sexually pure (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)," the Assemblies of God church warned.
For McCleneghan, however, whose views are comprehensively captured in her new book, Good Christian Sex: Why Chastity Isn't the Only Option And Other Things the Bible Says About Sex, single Christians don't need to abstain from sex to remain pure since being chaste is about moderation.
"American Christians sometimes conflate celibacy and chastity, too, which is a problem. Chastity is a virtue, related to temperance it's about moderating our indulgences and exercising restraint. We're all called to exercise chastity in a variety of ways, though the details will vary given our individual situations," McCleneghan said in an op-ed for The Washington Post.
"In the official teaching of the Catholic Church and some other churches, however, chastity requires restraining oneself from indulging in sexual relationships outside of the bounds (and bonds) of marriage. That is, chastity for singles means celibacy no sex. I'd argue that we can be chaste faithful in unmarried sexual relationships if we exercise restraint: if we refrain from having sex that isn't mutually pleasurable and affirming, that doesn't respect the autonomy and sacred worth of ourselves and our partners," she explained.
McCleneghan believes it's unfair to ask single Christians who haven't been called to a life of celibacy to refrain from sexual intimacy when both men and women need sex.
"There are those who feel that they are called to seasons of celibacy, or even years of celibacy, and if answering that call is life-giving and purposeful, then they should take it up as a spiritual discipline. But no call can be forced on an unwilling person, especially not if they find themselves single only by virtue of circumstance," she wrote.
"Plenty of women and men love sex, and need it we need bodily pleasure, remember and the abundant life for them will involve seeking out relationships of mutual pleasure. Chastity, or just sex, requires that whether we are married or unmarried, our sex lives restrain our egos, restrain our desire for physical pleasure when pursuing it would bring harm to self or other," she added.
The Christian Post reached out to McCleneghan to further discuss her book on Monday but she was unavailable for comment at the time this story was published.
While some Christian scholars have offered praise for McCleneghan's views, not everyone thinks her advice is sound.
"We are to be Holy people, blameless and spotless unto Jesus Christ. One man and one woman married until death, not extra-marital affairs (adulterous behavior) even fornication. That is sin that will lead anyone to eternal Hell. Please show me Scripture that backs up your belief," wrote Trish Nastasi, a longtime married Christian woman on McCleneghan's Facebook page.
McCleneghan, who began her ministry at Hinsdale in July 2015, is responsible for worship, pastoral care, ministry leadership, teaching at the church. Her special focus is on helping people with children at home better their ability and commitment to raising those children in the Christian faith, according to the Church.
Correct. It starts with the whole church's failure to comprehend the gospel.
By the same logic, I could argue that we can be chaste faithful in extramarital sexual relationships if we exercise restraint: if we refrain from having adulterous sex that isn't mutually pleasurable and affirming, that doesn't respect the autonomy and sacred worth of our married selves and our secret partners. How is her point different from endorsing adultery? How is her point even remotely biblical?
“Yep it is Mens fault, he he EVERYTHING is WASP Males fault.. heh heh”
Actually, in a way it is.
I heard about a conversation about the fact that the Bible does not mention a certain topic about living in sin.
The reply was “I can tell you with 100% certainty that nowhere does the Bible say that you should not plunge a metal stake in your eye.
Now, do you think God WANTS you to plunge a metal stake in your eye?”
Because that’s what the Bible says, yep....
Well ?
Ummm...no. The Christian’s manual says not. These shepherd’s will be accountable for leading these sheep astray.
Affirmation ? Affirmation of sex is ... children, am I right or wrong or here ?
Union Church of Hinsdale is a congregation of the United Church of Christ. ‘Nuf said.
I hate liberalism. I hate the fruity language they use. It triggers me... I want to barf now.
public school....
What is her ‘denomination’?
Old lady here,and out of the loop.
What the hell is “affirming” sex?
.
I guess if nothing is a sin, why go to church? Just to give some idiot like this your money?
God hung the responsibility on Adam.
So, yes, it is.
Marriage and intimacy are also a picture of God and Israel, and Christ and His bride, the church. IMHO, that is another reason God condemns homosexualiry...it twists the picture of the spiritual bride and the bridegroom.
“The Union Church of Hinsdale, United Church of Christ”
has that Rainbow flag (or is it Rainbow fag) flying on their front page. Her husband is apparently male (Josh).
I cringe every time I hear a pastor or priest say “who am I to judge”. That is precisely the mandate given to them by the Lord. They are sworn to guide the flock, which fundamentally means chastising those who stray into sin, lest that sin leads to eternal judgement. These ministers fear the criticism of anti-Christian activists more than they fear God.
I've usually heard 'affirming' in connection with homosexuals.
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