Christian doctrine on sexuality: a moral-level, rather than ceremonial or civil-law, teaching

Erick Erickson has an important column at Townhall today entitled "This Stuff Actually Matters." He takes a certain kind of Christian pastor to task for shying away from Biblical teaching about sexual morality.

You see, when they remain mum, we're not offering anything to counter the postmodern secular taunt along the lines of "What about David's concubines? And aren't we supposed to avoid shrimp?"

Erickson, who is currently in divinity school, explains that there are three levels of Old Testament rules, and that that the second level, the ceremonial, was largely rendered obsolete by what Christ came to do:

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. That is not just a quote, but fact for Christians. God himself ordained marriage in the beginning and made it between one man and one woman. His people did not always get it right, but God was clear. In the desert of Sinai, God expanded his moral laws and made it clear that sex outside of marriage is a sin and sex between two people of the same sex is, too.

Yes, it is true that God also issued other laws, including not wearing mixed fabrics and eating shellfish, but God was issuing three components of law. First, he issued the moral law founded in the Ten Commandments. Second, he issued ceremonial laws involving purification and cleanliness related to sin. Third, he issued civil law relevant to the governing of the tribes of Israel.

Fast forward to the New Testament and Jesus affirms the moral law is still in place; sets aside the ceremonial law as he is the living sacrifice for sin and we are made clean through him; and bound Christians to the laws of their state by rendering unto Caesar, unless Caesar demands Christians violate the moral law.

The issues of marriage, sex outside of marriage, and homosexuality are in the moral law, not the ceremonial or civil laws of the Old Testament. They still bind Christians. In fact, Christians accept "progressive revelation" whereby they acknowledge some things changed between the Old and New Testament. The position of women in society improved. The relation of slaves to master improved from servitude to family. Paul writes to Philemon to take back his slave Onesimus "as a beloved brother." The New Testament more fully reveals the relationship of God's people to God. We become "heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ." (Rom 8:17) 

Though some things change from Old Testament to New, marriage remains between a man and a woman. Sex outside of marriage and homosexuality remain sins. Though some might quote "judge not lest ye be judged," Jesus goes on to say in that very passage "to take the speck out of your brother's eye." Christians are supposed to discern. Christians are not supposed to embrace worldliness. Our lives, our sexual relationships and our personal relationships should not reflect the world but reflect God. 

In the Roman era, pagans routinely left children at the city dumps to die. Christians defied Roman custom and rescued the children, raising them as their own. Christians also rejected Roman imperial sexual norms. Christians in the United States have not had to think about our sexual mores and behavior. As hostility to the faith grows, many will choose to be liked by the world instead of choosing to honoring God. They won't want to be called bigots or homophobes or risk their livelihoods. But Christian sexual ethics still matter.

Too many pastors fail to preach on these things, and too many former Christians preach a false faith that rejects Christian sexual morality. While the nation is celebrating "pride," Christians need to remember the breadth and depth of their faith. Big things fall when small things give way. 

I've heard the rationale put forth that a minister can't afford to alienate anyone who might be considering attending a service and starting to explore the faith. (Think gay couple.) But the fullness of the Truth must at some point be spoken, or what is it that we're inviting the mildly interested to explore?