PART I: Pathways to Understanding Christianity, Morality, and Sexuality
Part one consists of six chapters that provide a basis for understanding how Christians form a moral judgment.
Chapter 1: Biblical Texts and Christian Perspectives 3
Chapter one described the formation of the Bible and different Christian groups. Based on an understanding of biblical moral and social values, contemporary groups may be classified as progressive or conservative.
Chapter 2: The Influence of Spirituality and Thinking on Morality 26
Chapters two and three examine six sources aspects of human functioning related to a holistic view of sexuality. This chapter explains two of those aspects, Christian spirituality and thinking. An acronym of SCOPES represents the six functional domains common in psychology: Spirituality, Cognition, Observable behavior, Physiology, Emotions, and Social Context. All aspects of the model are interconnected such that any aspect like thinking may influence other aspects such as emotions and behavior.
Chapter 3: The Influence of Personality, Physiology, Emotions, and Social Context on Morality 49
Chapter three continues the holistic model from chapter two. Observable behavior includes personality patterns or traits. Physiology provides a basic groundwork for human functioning. The section on emotional functioning covers frequently occurring emotions. And the section on social context explains how the environment and the people in the environment influence other aspects of personal functioning.
Chapter 4: Moral Psychology 57
After reviewing the philosophical contribution of Joshua Greene and the early work of Jean Piaget and Lawrence Kohlberg, I introduce the multidimensional model of Jonathan Haidt and his colleagues. The six components form a basis for later analysis of Christian moral judgments. The six include concerns of care-harm, fairness/ equality vs. unfairness, liberty vs. oppression, authority and respect, loyalty vs. betrayal, and purity vs. degradation.
Chapter 5: Psychology and Sexuality 79
In chapter five, I review some basic findings about love, which dominates contemporary views about the context for a happy relationship. I then look at a number of other topics including sexual arousal and desire, sexual attraction, and self-control. I close the chapter by looking at biopsychological aspects of contraception, pregnancy, and abortion.
Chapter 6: Sexuality and Healthy Relationships 96
Chapter six discusses Sexuality, Health, and Healthy Relationships. I follow a developmental progression from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood. Among the topics are sections on sex education, premarital sex, and teen pregnancy. I review psychosocial issues in marriage, divorce, and remarriage. In the next section, I look at research findings related to sexual orientation and same-sex relationships, including same-sex marriage. Then I look briefly at sex and gender differences, sex linked fear and disgust, and sexual disorders.
PART II: Christian Cultures and Contemporary Sexuality:
Biblical texts and Christian Perspectives
Chapter 7: Beginnings: From Pregnancy to Adolescence 123
In chapter seven, I examine Christian teaching about the controversial topics of sexuality during development. I present conservative and progressive views about contraception, pregnancy, abortion, circumcision, sex education, masturbation, pornography, and teen pregnancy. After considering how different Christians view these topics, I show how they may be analyzed using the six moral dimensions referred to in chapter four.
Chapter 8: Marriage, Divorce, and Sexual Relationships 149
I review conservative and progressive views on the biblical texts covering these important life events. Throughout history, Christians have struggled with biblically-based rules about divorce. Not only was divorce considered sinful in most cases, but remarriage was rarely considered acceptable. Despite a greater acceptance of divorced and remarried persons within Christian congregations, conservative groups continue to place a high value on marriage, consider all or most reasons for divorce unacceptable, and limit acceptable reasons for remarriage. Although most non-Catholic clergy are permitted to marry, conservative groups sometimes insist that their clergy never divorce or remarry As before, I will review these issues from diverse perspectives on Scripture and the six moral dimensions.
Chapter 9: Sexual Orientation and Same Sex Relationships 172
In chapter nine, Sexual Orientation and Same Sex Relationships, I look at the way Christians express their disapproval or approval of same-sex relationships and marriage based on various interpretations of the biblical texts. The analysis is somewhat detailed because people have written books and argued at length to justify one position or another about same-sex activity, lifestyles, relationships, and marriage. Following a summary of the various perspectives, I show how the six moral dimensions can promote an understanding of the positions held by people with strong opinions.
Chapter 10: Sex and Gender Roles 195
Chapter ten is about Sex and Gender Roles. It is no surprise that women have had a minor role in the history of the Christian religion just as they have had in the social, economic, and political arenas of society until recent decades. To be sure, there were exceptions, but in Christianity, a woman is not permitted to become a Catholic priest or bishop. And women are restricted from select clergy or organizational roles in many Protestant denominations and other Christian groups. I consider the texts Christians use as a basis for discrimination and analyze the moral dimensions of sex-linked discrimination.
Chapter 11: Sexual Violence and Christianity 209
Chapter eleven concerns an incredibly sad part of sexual morality. I consider the problem of Sexual Violence and Christianity. I will look at the biblical accounts of incest and rape and the attitudes toward women who are the usual victims of sexual violence. I also look at the problem of sex abuse within the church. Although there is no disagreement that sexual violence is morally wrong, I look at possible reasons behind the cover-up of abuse and the devastating consequences when such activity is not stopped.
PART III: Redemption and Reflections
Chapter 12: Sexuality, Morality, and Redemption 231
In chapter twelve, I look at Sexuality, Morality and Redemption. The purpose of the chapter is to focus on redemption. Christian leaders have made public apologies for their harmful acts throughout history. And Christian leaders continue to battle each other in the public arena over matters of sex-linked moral values. In the process, people are hurt. Redemption is called for and involves forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration.
Chapter 13: Reflections: Sexuality, Morality, and Christian Cultures 236
I close the book with a brief chapter on Reflections. I focus on some of the major concerns that continue to drive acrimonious debate in western cultures. I suggest ways that promoting an understanding of human nature and moral psychology might help lessen the intensity of the rhetoric at least among those tribal leaders willing to re-examine old beliefs and moral facts. By the time you reach the conclusion, I hope you find some value in thinking about the four factors influencing Christian moral judgment about sex-related issues: Scripture, beliefs about human nature, multidimensional moral reasoning, and beliefs about sexuality.
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