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A friend sent me an article that was posted on CNN’s Religion Blog about, yet again, the rise in “Christians” having premarital sex. Surprise! Surprise! The author raises the question about the seemingly common late 20-something or 30-something Christian who is single and EXPECTED to stay pure. The ridiculousness of this claim baffles me to no end. Also, quite likely, it is not uncommon to meet a Christian dating couple that has been together for several years. What’s more, just a quick look through your Facebook “friends” will reveal several former committed Christians who live with their boyfriends, girlfriends, or parents, having never prepared for the pursuit of biblical manhood or womanhood, yet living in a fantasy world that they have, somehow, by age only, escaped the frightening years of adolescence–when we all know that in maturity, decision-making, and their practice of non-intenional dating, they still reflect the kids they once were as sophomores in high school.

In a recent article in Relevant magazine, this same question is brought to the forefront. Scott McKnight, the author of a few good books, has some equally good things to say about this concept.

He tells Relevant:

Sociologically speaking, the one big difference – and it’s monstrous – between the biblical teaching and our culture is the arranged marriages of very young people. If you get married when you’re 13, you don’t have 15 years of temptation.

John Blake, the author of the CNN article with equivalent title as above, states this,

So what should a Christian parent or youth pastor do? How do they convince more young Christians to wait until marriage, or should they stop even trying?

What should a Christian parent or youth pastor do?  How do we convince more young Christians to wait until marriage?  Should we stop even trying?  Are you kidding me!  No!  No!  No!  No!  And No!  As horrible as those questions are though, many parents I’m sure are continuing to ask this question all over the world.  Even more non-auspicious, many youth pastors are asking these questions as well.  Let me try my best at answering them… again. [...]

Few organizations are scrutinized more than those intending to bring people out of the homosexual lifestyle. Labeling homosexuality a sinful lifestyle choice is anathema in our modern society. Look at Apple’s recent decision to remove an iPhone app from a Christian-based organization, Exodus International. Exodus International describes itself as “helping those struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction to live a life congruent with biblical teaching.” Intense opposition from gay activist groups caused Apple to cave.

The declaration of homosexuality as biblically wrong is an indictment against the gay community –a condemnation of an immoral lifestyle. Hence, we see virulent opposition as in the case of Exodus International.

During my senior year at California Baptist University, students were privileged to hear a number of godly, well-known, influential speakers: David Platt, Voddie Baucham, and Tom Eliff were among them. These are men who have helped shape my views on missions, the family and evangelism.

But one of the most profound chapel messages came from a man that virtually none of us students had heard of. His name wasBryan. Of the 1,500 + students in the gym that morning, few anticipated what was to be shared. A normally restless crowd remained focused and attentive to the story of an incredible life transformation –a novel one for most, including myself.

Bryanhad been engaged in the gay lifestyle for many years. He told the story of being raised in church and being saved but having a father who felt his son was never the model of masculinity he envisioned. He strived for his father’s approval but always fell short. He did not excel in athletics, nor was he interested in traditionally male pursuits.

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As with many topics in theology, a discussion of homosexuality must take into account the historical redemptive metanarrative of the Bible. In this scheme, Christians begin by pondering the nature of the world as it was in the perfect and harmonious state of creation. The first two chapters of Genesis explain that God created everything that exists, and everything that he created he deemed to be good. But, this creation was never meant to be an end in itself. Instead, God intended it to bring about his worship.

The metanarrative progresses and the story unfortunately gets worse. As the third chapter of Genesis rolls around, we see that things go very wrong. Adam and Eve rebel against God’s law, and everything in the world is thrown into confusion. What was originally beautiful and harmonious becomes ugly and dreadful. The whole world is thrown out of rhythm. The hearts, minds, emotions, wills, and bodies of men are corrupted by sin. Relationships are disrupted, and everything in existence is contaminated. God would have been just in killing Adam and Eve. After all, the wages of sin is death. They deserved to die. However, God decided to show them mercy. He provided clothes for them to cover them in their shame. He cast them out of the Garden to keep them away from the tree of life, thus protecting them from an existence of eternal dying. God could have demonstrated his wrath on Adam and Eve. Yet he chose to show mercy.

As the storyline of the Bible continues, we see men and women sinning over and over again. Obviously, something is wrong with us. The good news is that God’s plan of redemption provides a remedy for the problem. As the metanarrative continues, we see glimpses of God’s plan to restore creation through the person and work of the Messiah who would come, Jesus Christ.

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I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. -The Song of Solomon 2:7

Have you ever wondered why God gives us wisdom to guide our living?  In this article, Whitney Clayton implores young people to walk with wisdom concerning sexual issues and to seek the well spring of all true wisdom, Jesus Christ himself. [...]

Have you ever wondered if what you are wearing is making the boys in the school yard look and drool?  Okay, maybe you’re not spending your weekday afternoons in the school yard anymore but what about your work, school, and your everyday casual clothes?  When you walk past a guy does he do a double take?  Tyler Smith encourages women in their dress and calls them to a countercultural approach to the clothes they wear. [...]

In this post Greg Gibson attempts to answer these tough questions theological, practically, and through the lens of a biblical worldview.   [...]

When something rocks the boat of purity in the Church, the world takes notice. If they are close to the situation, believers feel a sense of betrayal, and regardless of proximity the unbelieving world snatches the opportunity to manifest the blatant inconsistent lives of the supposed people of God. [...]

A Family Research Council poll found that 72 percent of all married “traditionalists” (those who “strongly” believe out-
of-wedlock sex is wrong) report high sexual satisfaction. [...]

Trust: if any trait should be considered imperative for a man and woman desiring a loving and lasting relationship as well as a good and God-honoring sex life trust is it. [...]