Excerpts from Spirit and Sexuality
by the Rev. Dr. David Bridges

Heated debates concerning same-sex unions have separated humans and weakened the ability of the Church to demonstrate Christ to all the World.  In this article, I propose another Christian paradigm as a possible avenue to peace and unity among persons of all sexual orientations.  Let us explore Spirit and Sexuality.

The….dialogue between Jesus and the Sadducees demonstrates the Christian belief that the soul of a human continues to live with and without the benefit of a fleshly body.  Jesus is focusing the argument on the higher, spiritual existence that is eternal.  That being said, one could argue that there is no death, only life in different states of being………
Given the previous example, in the resurrected spiritual life, all seven husbands and the woman would be in relationship with one another, since they had all been married. 

However, since they would be like angels, it could be assumed that there would be no dissention, strife, envy, competition, or gender/sexuality related issues to distort the relationship. 
In the spirit form, there is no need for earthly human legal or religious systems to either condone or condemn relationships of any kind.  The earthly, human Church would no longer have the opportunity to exercise power over humans, rather, the love of God in Christ would be the only governing rule……..
   
The practice of vilifying and even persecuting same-sex partners seems to assume the right of some persons or organizations to enforce their values and beliefs on others in any way possible.  This is called works-based theology and is especially dangerous when applied to the subjects of human love and relationships. 
   
The free gift of grace promised by Christian Scripture cannot be limited by our human understanding.  It would be completely opposite of the scriptural understanding of grace to believe that God cannot bless any truly loving relationship between two humans.  The Christian spiritual bond of love and relationship is uniquely Christ-centered and does not depend on specific gender for validation.
   
Likewise, the gifts of love and relationship must not be limited by our human understanding.  The example of love given to us by Christ Jesus is one of infinite, all encompassing nature.  At John 13:34, Jesus is quoted as leaving a new commandment, one identical to the greatest commandment: ……
   
Genuine love is an integral part of relationship.  The perfect Christian example of love in relationship is the revelation of God through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.  The unselfish, undeserved, and unconditional love of God, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 
   
The covenantal relationship between two humans is far more spiritual than fleshly.  The fleshly, sexual interaction among humans can and will end as age increases, yet the relationship is intended to remain intact, in fact, to grow stronger.  Elderly persons who no longer engage in sexual intercourse are still very interested in maintaining loving relationships and in cohabitation for companionship and support…..

“…no single language, no single theology or theory, no single cultural mind-set has ever been adequate to the task of interpreting reality as a whole or even a single important text.  Because of limitations inherent to human existence, there is always some need for change – a need to break open existing prejudgments and discover where they are wanting and how we might move toward a deepening understanding of God, our world, our communities, and ourselves.  Though chaos is a distressing state, it is also an opportunity for just such discovery.”

Interpreting the Truth, L. William Countryman (Trinity Press Int., New York, 2003), page 7………
   
Devotion and commitment to relationship is the key element in the example of Jesus Christ, and in the human desire to commit to one special person; a soul mate as some would say.  Can soul mates be restricted by gender or sexual orientation? ……..     In recent years, increasing numbers of same-sex partners are speaking out publicly concerning their love and rights as partners. 

Previously, such openness would not be safe or in most cases advisable.  Since the beginning of recorded history, same-sex relationships have been a reality.  Some cultures do not condemn such practice.  More and more, thinking Christians are beginning to consider new understandings…….
   
The arguments surrounding same-sex relationships and marriage include those that interpret time-full texts to justify their viewpoint.  Issues of right and wrong, good and evil, ordained of God or condemned to torment.  These extreme absolutes leave little room for the love of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit to work their miracles in the lives of “all flesh” (Luke 3:4-6; John 6:53-58; Acts 2:17-18; Romans 8:37-39; Romans 11:6).
   
In every situation where scripture is asked to answer questions of religion and society, the interpreter(s) have no choice but to interpret in the light of their personal and societal pre-understanding and doctrinal constraints.  Society and Christianity been so absorbed in the fight for right and wrong answers that we have paid little attention to the real people involved in the struggle……

Email Bridges for a copy of the full article at davidbridges@comcast.net.