Additional Books and eBooks by the Director
Many issues are discussed that are related to sex, including but not limited to: monogamy, marital sex, polygamy, incest, homosexuality, premarital sex (fornication), extramarital sex (adultery), celibacy, transsexualism, reproduction, infertility, contraception, abortion, sexual harassment and assault, masturbation, pornography, gender roles, and school and other mass shootings (yes, those are related to this topic).
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Notes:
Different formats and publishers might have different covers, but the content is the same in all of them.
The links to Amazon are advertising links, for which I receive a commission in addition to my royalty if a product is purchased after following the link.
Sex and the Bible
The Three Books in this Series
The Bible and Sexual Relationships Issues
God’s Sex Plan: Volume One: What the Old Testament Teaches About Human Sexuality
God’s Sex Plan: Volume Two: What the New Testament Teaches About Human Sexuality
All three of these books were updated in 2023. The text is mostly the same, except to update the covers and appendixes and to correct a few minor typos. Also, an Epilogue was added to the final book.
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Introductory Pages
Table of Contents
Introductory Pages … 5
Preface
………...………………………………………..… 7
Terminology .....………………………………………..…. 8
Analytical–Literal Translation …………………………... 9
Abbreviations .....………………………………………… 11
About the Author/ Dedication ………………………….. 16
The New Testament
The Gospels and Acts … 17
#16 – The Gospel According to Matthew .…………. 19
#17 – The Gospel According to Mark .………………. 45
#18 – The Gospel According to Luke .………………. 63
#19 – The Gospel According to John and Acts ……. 95
The Pauline Epistles … 113
#20 – The Major Pauline Epistles …………………… 115
#21 – 1Corinthians 6:9-11 and Bible Translations … 155
#22 – 1Corinthians 7: Celibacy, Courting, and More .. 189
#23 – The Minor Pauline Epistles …………..……… 215
#24 – The Pauline Pastoral Epistles ………..……… 251
The General Epistles and The Revelation … 281
#25 – The General Epistles ...…..……………………. 283
#26 – The Revelation ……………………………….... 307
Concluding Thoughts … 317
#27 – Author’s Feelings, Situation, Thoughts ...…….... 319
#28 – Conclusion ………………………..……………. 337
Appendixes … 341
#1 – Bibliography.……………………………………. 343
#2 – Current Books by the Author …………………. 361
#3 – Proposed Books by the Author ………………. 369
#4 – Author’s Websites, Newsletters, Social Sites/
Contacting the Author …………………………………. 377
Note:
This book is Volume Two of a two-volume set. The first volume is: God’s Sex Plan: Volume One: What the Old Testament Teaches About Human Sexuality. The chapters are numbered consecutively through both volumes. That is why the first chapter of this book is Chapter 16, as Volume One contained 15 chapters. But the page numbering restarts with page 1 in this volume.
Preface
Does God have a sex plan? By that is meant, did God design the human race to function best by following a specific plan for how human beings are to interact sexually and to reproduce? What happens when this plan is followed, and when it is not followed? Are different varieties of sexual behaviors just as legitimate as God’s original sex plan? This two-volume set explores these controversial questions.
The bulk of this two-volume set consists of looking at relevant Scripture passages, studying them more or less in Biblical order, starting with the Book of Genesis moving on through to the Book of The Revelation. The verses are quoted then commented upon, with the focus on what the passage is teaching and the implications thereof.
Along the way, extra-Biblical arguments for and against the Biblical position are addressed. Shorter such discussions are indicated in the text as being a “side note,” while longer discussions are separated by the subtitle “Extra-Biblical Discussion.” But the focus is on the Scriptures.
The addressed issues are often controversial, provoking strong emotions and heated arguments. But they are dealt with in as a congenial manner as possible. However, no attempt is made to be “politically correct.” Instead, fidelity to the Scriptures is the goal. This exposition of the Scriptures is not meant to offend, but if someone is offended, it is because they are offended by the Scriptures or sound reasoning, not by this writer’s opinion.
It is this writer’s hope and prayer that this set will be received by both Christians and non-Christians as an honest attempt to understand what the Bible has to say on these topics and the implications thereof, while also considering relevant extra-Biblical arguments and material.
Some readers might be tempted to skip Volume One on the Old Testament and jump to this Volume Two on the New Testament. Others might want to jump to the comments on specific verses. But please don’t. Volume Two and the comments on each passage build on Volume One and preceding comments and presupposes knowledge of them, so it is best to read this two-volume set straight through. It is long, but that is because the Bible has much to say on the subject of human sexuality. And I hope it is worth the effort to read it all the way through.
Chapters Excerpts
Chapter Fifteen:
The Gospel According to Matthew
Matthew 1:12-16:
12And after the Babylonian captivity, Jeconiah fathered Shealtiel, and Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel, 13and Zerubbabel fathered Abiud, and Abiud fathered Eliakim, and Eliakim fathered Azor, 14and Azor fathered Sadok, and Sadok fathered Achim, and Achim fathered Eliud, 15and Eliud fathered Eleazar, and Eleazar fathered Matthan, and Matthan fathered Jacob, 16and Jacob fathered Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom [Gr., es, feminine, singular] was born Jesus, the One being called Christ [“the Anointed One”].
Most of the names mentioned here would not be familiar to Bible readers, as the time period covered by these names is the intertestamental period, i.e., the time between the close of the OT [Old Testament] with Malachi in 400 BC and the opening of the NT with the mention of the births of John the Baptist and Jesus in about 4-5 BC.
The last verse then brings us to Joseph and Mary, the human parents of Jesus. But we have a hint here that Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus in the Greek word for “whom” (es). As indicated in the ALT note, it is feminine, singular, indicating Jesus was only born of Mary. If He had been born of both Joseph and Mary, Greek grammar would have required the masculine plural.
Note also that Jesus is the Christ, which means “the Anointed One,” the Messiah promised long ago and throughout the OT, starting with Genesis 3:15.
Matthew 1:18f:
18Now the generation [or, birth] of Jesus Christ was in this manner: For His mother Mary, having been promised in marriage to Joseph, before they came together [fig., had sexual relations], was found having in [the] womb [fig., to have become pregnant] by [the] Holy Spirit. 19But Joseph her husband being righteous and not wanting to publicly disgrace her, intended to privately send her away [or, to secretly divorce her].
Mary and Joseph were betrothed to be married, yet they had not engaged in sexual intercourse. This was the norm for the time, not the exception. Betrothed couples waited to be married before having sex.
A betrothal was more binding than today’s engagement period. Today, if a member of an engaged couple wants to call off the wedding, he or she just backs out. But back then, a betrothal was as legally binding as a marriage, so to back out of it required a legal divorce. But again, despite being so bound, Mary and Joseph had not yet engaged in sex.
Matthew 1:20f:
20But while he was thinking about these [things], look!, an angel [or, a messenger] of [the] Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, you should not be afraid to take Mary [as] your wife, for the [Baby] in her was conceived by [the] Holy Spirit. 21And she will give birth to a Son, and you will call His name Jesus [“Yahweh saves”], for He will save His people from their sins.”
Here, an angel confirms that Mary was in fact a virgin and that Joseph and she had never engaged in sexual relations. But nevertheless, Mary is miraculously pregnant and will bear the Savior. The name she is to give her Son declares His mission, He will save His people from their sins. This is the long awaited Jewish Messiah, who will save not just Jews but anyone who believes on His name.
Matthew 1:22f:
22Now this whole [thing] has happened so that the [word] spoken by the Lord through the prophet should be fulfilled, saying, 23“Look! The virgin will have in [the] womb [fig., will conceive], and she will give birth to a Son, and they will call His name Emmanuel,” which is, being translated, “God with us.” [Isaiah 7:14]
We now have a third confirmation that Mary was in fact a virgin when she conceived Jesus. Such was a fulfillment of OT prophecy, a prophecy that was written some 700 years prior to this time.
We also have here another indication of the nature of Jesus. He is “God with us” showing His deity. This is not a name, as Jesus is never called Emmanuel. This is a declaration of His attribute of being fully God. But being born of a woman means He is also fully human, two natures in the one Person of Jesus.
Matthew 1:24f:
24Now Joseph, having been awakened from his sleep, did as the angel of [the] Lord ordered him, and he took his wife, 25and he was not knowing her [fig., was not having sexual relations with her] until which [time] she gave birth to her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
This passage is a source of much controversy, but the most natural way to read it is that after Mary gave birth to Jesus, Mary and Joseph began to engage in sexual relations and would go on to have other children. This is seen in Jesus being called Mary’s firstborn Son. If Jesus was her only Son, the text would have been worded that way.
It is also seen in the phrase “until which [time].” Every time this exact phrase occurs, it always indicates a change of behavior after the indicated behavior. It occurs in this Gospel in 14:22; 17:9; 18:30,34; 26:36. Now some will say the word “until” does not always indicate a change of behavior. But again, what is used here is not just the word “until” but the phrase “until which [time],” and that phrase always indicates a change of behavior.
Moreover, it is perfectly natural and normal for a married couple to engage in sex. This has been the norm throughout human history. Married couples have sex. That is just what happens. If this had not been the case with Mary and Joseph, the text would have made it clear. But there is no indication that it was not the case with Mary and Joseph.
Chapter Twenty-three:
The Minor Pauline Epistles
Philippians 4:8f:
8[As to] the rest [or, Finally], brothers [and sisters], as many [things] as are true, as many as [are] dignified [or, honorable], as many as [are] righteous, as many as are pure [or, innocent], as many as [are] lovely, as many as [are] commendable, if [there is] any moral excellence [or, virtue], and if any[thing] deserving to be praised, be meditating on [or, be thinking about] these things. 9What [things] you* both learned and received, and heard and saw in me, these [things] be practicing, and the God of peace will be with you*.
True, dignified, honorable, righteous, pure, innocent, lovely, commendable, moral excellence, commendable. Does this describe the TV shows, movies, and Internet videos you have been watching, the websites you have been visiting, the video games you have been playing, the books and social media posts you have been reading, and the music you have been listening to? If not, then what are you doing utilizing such media? You are filling you mind with the exact opposite of what God commands. How then do you expect to live for God and to avoid sin?
…
Colossians 3:1-4:
1Therefore, since you* were raised together with Christ, be seeking the [things] above, where Christ is, sitting at [the] right [hand] of God. 2Be setting your* minds on the [things] above, not [on] the [things] on the earth. 3For you* died, and your* life has been hid with Christ in God. 4Whenever Christ, [who is] our life, is revealed, then also we will be revealed with Him in glory!
If you have trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, you have been raised to newness of life with Him. Therefore, you should be seeking to live a life worthy of that position. You do that by seeking the things of God, not the things of this world. And due to your new life, a glorious future with Christ awaits you.
Colossians 3:5-8:
5Therefore, put to death your* members, the ones on the earth: fornication, impurity [or, immorality], lustful passion, evil desire, and the covetous desire [or, greed], which is idol worship, 6because of which [things] the wrath of God is coming upon the sons [and daughters] of disobedience, 7in which you* also at one time walked about [fig., conducted yourselves], when you* were living in them. 8But now you* yourselves also put off [fig., cease from] all these [things]: anger, rage, malice, blasphemy, [and] obscene language out of your* mouth. [cp. Gal 5:19-21]
Also due to your new life, you should be avoiding all sins of the flesh, and that includes fornication, impurity, and lustful passion. The last of course leads to the first two. It is lust in the heart that must be put to death, or it will lead to fornication, which will lead to impurity. These sins of lustful desire and action are equivalent to idol worship, as they are placing sexual desire and sin as lord of your heart rather than God.
Those who are still living in sexual lust and sinful sex acts are under the wrath of God. But that is no longer you if you have newness of life delivering you from such sins. But you need to walk in that newness of life and put off all of our old sinful behaviors. It is possible, through the strength of the Holy Spirit, to stop engaging in sexual and other sins.
Note also the last line, “put off … obscene language out of your* mouth.” This takes us back to the Access Hollywood recording and crude talk about the opposite sex. Such should never characterize the Christian, and neither should swearing or the use of any foul language. And that takes us back to the media you are viewing. If it uses such crude and foul language, you will inevitably pick it up and start using it yourself. That is another reason to avoid such sin-glorifying media.
The above Book Preview was posted on this site April 15, 2018.
It was last updated January 2, 2024.
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