Sexual ethics old Testament

Question 1

Ancient Greece - Cyreniacs (not Christian)?

Answer 1

celebrated physical pleasure

Question 2

Ancient Greece - why did some reject physical pleasure?

Answer 2

distracted from/obstacle to spiritual or philosophical progress

Question 3

Ancient Greece - relationships between adults and adolescents?

Answer 3

this would have been acceptable

Question 4

Fertility?

Answer 4

important - man’s position and power measured in land + property he owned as well as number of offspring he had

Question 5

Fidelity and monogamy?

Answer 5

not highly valued for men - their responsibility = maintain power and authority e.g. Biblical example - patriarch Jacob and 2 wives (Leah + Rachel) and 2 concubines (Bilbah + Zilpah)

Question 6

Sex before the fall?

Answer 6

Eve had sex because it was good in itself

Question 7

Reason why God is invited to be a 3rd party in Christian marriages - related to story of Adam and Eve?

Answer 7

Adam and Eve ‘walked’ with God in the Garden of Eden - God = part of foundation of Adam and Eve’s relationship

Question 8

Relationship between Adam and Eve after the Fall?

Answer 8

God said to Eve ‘your desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you.’

Question 9

Sex after the Fall?

Answer 9

sex could no longer be good in itself - must have purpose of reproduction

Question 10

Men superior?

Answer 10

more important women = virgins before marriage - men = superoir

Question 11

Incestuous relationships?

Answer 11

Incestuous relationship between Lot and his daughter (Genesis 19)

Question 12

Adulterous relationships?

Answer 12

Adulterous relationship between King David and Bathsheba - consequence = death of her husband, Uriah - David punished, yet it provides the path from which the birth of Jesus would eventually come