Here are some facts about the city of Corinth (modern day Greece). We took some time and studied this briefly last night in youth group. As you’ll see, the Corinthian Christians faced a lot of sexual immorality in their day and age. And we think America is bad. Corinth makes Las-Vegas look like Disneyland.
- Located on a large isthmus about 50 miles from the city of Athens.
- The city was destroyed by the Romans in 146 B.C. but re-built in 44 B.C.
- It became one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire. It was considered one of the richest cities in the world by the end of the 2nd century. It was a thriving place commercially and politically.
- The Isthmian Games were played in Corinth (like the Olympics). Paul was even in town during the games. Many believe his imagery in 1 Cor. 9:24-27 came from his time in Corinth when the games were being played.
- Official language of Corinth was Latin.
- Corinth had several pagan temples one could go and worship at. The most famous was the temple of Aphrodite (goddess of love). Several centuries before Paul, one could go to the temple of Aphrodite and hook up with one of the thousands of temple prostitutes.
- Prostitution was legal and acceptable in Corinth. Visiting a prostitute did not constitute adultery.
- Corinth was so well known for sexual immorality that the Greek verb “to Corinthainize” came to mean, “to practice sexual immorality.” Maybe this sheds some light on some of the immorality problems in the Corinthian church.
- Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthian church that was lost (1 Cor. 5:9).
- The Christian church at Corinth was established on Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-11, 1 Cor. 2:1-2). The church consisted of wealthy individuals and slaves. Paul wrote the Corinthian church (1 Cor.) while in Ephesus on his third missionary journey (1 Cor. 16:8).
Well, some facts about the city of Corinth. What do you think it would have been like for a Christian growing up in Corinth?
Showing posts with label Sexuality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sexuality. Show all posts
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Sex (part 2)
Ever have your perspective changed? By perspective I mean your view or stance on something.
On a mission trip several years ago we went to a state park on one of our off days. There was a trail there that led 3.5 miles up a mountain. Several of us (myself and some teens in the youth group) decided to hike it. I was with a couple guys (Dion, Chris, Jon) as I hiked and climbed (we kept each other encouraged and pushed each other to go further). The view from the bottom was kind of bland. There were some interesting trees to look at and you could look out over the lake too (I was looking for fish!), but nothing really out of the ordinary to see. However, once we hiked to the top of the mountain, our perspective changed. We were no longer limited to just trees and the lake. Now we were looking down on the trees and the lake. You could see the whole countryside. It was a breathtaking view!
There’s a more recent time in my life where I noticed change in my perspective. I used to be able to listen to someone talk about the gruesome procedure known as partial birth abortion. I had my first child (a girl) three weeks ago and now when I hear someone talking about any type of abortion procedure I get queasy and have to turn the radio station or TV channel. My perspective has been forever changed.
God’s Word, if we let it, can change our perspective about a myriad of things. Take the whole issue of sex we’ve been discussing. I never knew how positive a stance the Bible took in regards to sex. From the Scriptures you would think God wants us to enjoy sex. Song of Songs, a poetry book in the Old Testament, is all about sex and love. There isn’t one mention of God, sin, salvation, or prayer in the entire book! Can you believe that? Why? Well, God is the designer of our sexuality and God is love. Real love originates from Him. If it weren’t for Him, we wouldn’t have a clue as to what real love is. This book takes delight in God’s gift of sex, sexuality, and love. It reveals to us that there is such a thing as holy sex. Sex isn’t a naughty little three-letter word. God never intended it to become that. Sex is a gift from God to be enjoyed within the confines of marriage (between a man and woman; you have to clarify that nowadays). You should read Song of Songs sometime this week. If you have a negative view towards sex maybe you need your perspective changed.
Your thoughts?
On a mission trip several years ago we went to a state park on one of our off days. There was a trail there that led 3.5 miles up a mountain. Several of us (myself and some teens in the youth group) decided to hike it. I was with a couple guys (Dion, Chris, Jon) as I hiked and climbed (we kept each other encouraged and pushed each other to go further). The view from the bottom was kind of bland. There were some interesting trees to look at and you could look out over the lake too (I was looking for fish!), but nothing really out of the ordinary to see. However, once we hiked to the top of the mountain, our perspective changed. We were no longer limited to just trees and the lake. Now we were looking down on the trees and the lake. You could see the whole countryside. It was a breathtaking view!
There’s a more recent time in my life where I noticed change in my perspective. I used to be able to listen to someone talk about the gruesome procedure known as partial birth abortion. I had my first child (a girl) three weeks ago and now when I hear someone talking about any type of abortion procedure I get queasy and have to turn the radio station or TV channel. My perspective has been forever changed.
God’s Word, if we let it, can change our perspective about a myriad of things. Take the whole issue of sex we’ve been discussing. I never knew how positive a stance the Bible took in regards to sex. From the Scriptures you would think God wants us to enjoy sex. Song of Songs, a poetry book in the Old Testament, is all about sex and love. There isn’t one mention of God, sin, salvation, or prayer in the entire book! Can you believe that? Why? Well, God is the designer of our sexuality and God is love. Real love originates from Him. If it weren’t for Him, we wouldn’t have a clue as to what real love is. This book takes delight in God’s gift of sex, sexuality, and love. It reveals to us that there is such a thing as holy sex. Sex isn’t a naughty little three-letter word. God never intended it to become that. Sex is a gift from God to be enjoyed within the confines of marriage (between a man and woman; you have to clarify that nowadays). You should read Song of Songs sometime this week. If you have a negative view towards sex maybe you need your perspective changed.
Your thoughts?
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Sex (part 1)
We are kicking off a 4-week series on sex in youth group this week. Here are several of the points to be discussed.
- God created our sexuality when He made us in His image and likeness and made us male and female.
- God created sex.
- God designed sex to be a good thing within the confines of marriage.
- Marriage between a man and a woman can/should last a lifetime.
- Like other good things (e.g., being able to drive), sex must have boundaries to keep it healthy and safe.
- We find God’s boundaries for sex in our Bible.
- God is willing to listen to us talk about our frustrations, our questions, and any confusion we have over sex. He is also willing to guide us into truth about sex.
At the closing we wrote a thank you letter to God for His gift of sex. Here is mine.
Thank you God for creating men and women. I thank you that we are different. I thank you for the marriage relationship we can have with one person for the rest of our lives. I thank you for the gift of sex. I pray I am a good steward of Your gift and never do anything to show you disrespect or contempt. You were a genius when You created sex. It’s a beautiful thing and may I always remember that. I thank You for thinking of us when You gave us the unique gift of sex. Thanks!
- God created our sexuality when He made us in His image and likeness and made us male and female.
- God created sex.
- God designed sex to be a good thing within the confines of marriage.
- Marriage between a man and a woman can/should last a lifetime.
- Like other good things (e.g., being able to drive), sex must have boundaries to keep it healthy and safe.
- We find God’s boundaries for sex in our Bible.
- God is willing to listen to us talk about our frustrations, our questions, and any confusion we have over sex. He is also willing to guide us into truth about sex.
At the closing we wrote a thank you letter to God for His gift of sex. Here is mine.
Thank you God for creating men and women. I thank you that we are different. I thank you for the marriage relationship we can have with one person for the rest of our lives. I thank you for the gift of sex. I pray I am a good steward of Your gift and never do anything to show you disrespect or contempt. You were a genius when You created sex. It’s a beautiful thing and may I always remember that. I thank You for thinking of us when You gave us the unique gift of sex. Thanks!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Demon Sex? (Genesis 6)
I know the title is provocative and probably offensive to some of you. But, it’s in reference to the events in Genesis 6. Were the fallen angels (demons) having sex with humans? It’s a serious question to be explored.
Genesis 6 opens with the human race growing and expanding. Still fulfilling God’s mandate to multiply and fill the earth (Gen 1:28). The Sons of God saw how beautiful the daughters of men looked and took wives. Genesis 6:1-2 (NASB) reads
Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose.
So, what’s going on here? Does the phrase Sons of God refer to fallen angels? Was it possible for fallen angels to marry humans? Were demons marrying the daughters of men just to have sex with them? Would God allow such a thing to happen to His beloved creation? Does a fallen angel having sex with humans fit in to the rest of the Bible? Is there another way to interpret this?
When you dive into the culture of this time you discover a gruesome and sickening practice. The Gilgamesh Epic describes kings as having a right to have sex with any bride being married. The husband would have no control over such tyranny. Apparently kings did this as a form of oppression and control. Pretty disgusting isn’t it? This reveals a little of what was taking place in the culture during Genesis. If you apply this horrific practice to Genesis you would see that the Sons of God, which would be kings, were picking and choosing women, brides to be, from across the land to sleep with. This would be detestable to God and surely bring a response like what is given in verse 3 (NASB) of Genesis,
Then the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years."
So, fallen angels weren’t going around having sex with the daughters of men. Surely God would have mentioned them in verse 3 if they were. It was the kings of the land. Who knows how out of control this practice may have grown? Things must have really deteriorated for God to send forth a flood. One commentary I’ve been reading pointed out a rather interesting flow of thought through these beginning chapters of Genesis:
Genesis 3: The fall of mankind
Genesis 4: The fall of the family
Genesis 6: The fall of society
What are your thoughts?
Genesis 6 opens with the human race growing and expanding. Still fulfilling God’s mandate to multiply and fill the earth (Gen 1:28). The Sons of God saw how beautiful the daughters of men looked and took wives. Genesis 6:1-2 (NASB) reads
Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose.
So, what’s going on here? Does the phrase Sons of God refer to fallen angels? Was it possible for fallen angels to marry humans? Were demons marrying the daughters of men just to have sex with them? Would God allow such a thing to happen to His beloved creation? Does a fallen angel having sex with humans fit in to the rest of the Bible? Is there another way to interpret this?
When you dive into the culture of this time you discover a gruesome and sickening practice. The Gilgamesh Epic describes kings as having a right to have sex with any bride being married. The husband would have no control over such tyranny. Apparently kings did this as a form of oppression and control. Pretty disgusting isn’t it? This reveals a little of what was taking place in the culture during Genesis. If you apply this horrific practice to Genesis you would see that the Sons of God, which would be kings, were picking and choosing women, brides to be, from across the land to sleep with. This would be detestable to God and surely bring a response like what is given in verse 3 (NASB) of Genesis,
Then the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years."
So, fallen angels weren’t going around having sex with the daughters of men. Surely God would have mentioned them in verse 3 if they were. It was the kings of the land. Who knows how out of control this practice may have grown? Things must have really deteriorated for God to send forth a flood. One commentary I’ve been reading pointed out a rather interesting flow of thought through these beginning chapters of Genesis:
Genesis 3: The fall of mankind
Genesis 4: The fall of the family
Genesis 6: The fall of society
What are your thoughts?
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