As you know, one of my pet peeves (in general) expressed in our books, Sexual Skills For The Christian Husband and Sexual Satisfaction For The Christian Wife, is that some Christians are so quick to impose their preferences and opinions regarding sex and sexuality on their brothers and sisters.
Usually, this takes the form of what I call, “two-step inferences.” Two-step inferences look like this…
1) The Bible denounces “unnatural” sex acts.
2) I think [fill in the blank] is unnatural.
3) The Bible thinks [fill in the blank] is unnatural.
Or (my personal favorite)…
1) The Bible condemns homosexuality.
2) I associate [fill in the blank] with homosexuality.
3) Therefore, [fill in the blank] is condemned.
This type of reasoning drives me nuts. And, considering that these “opinions” and “preferences” are usually more driven by culture than Scripture, it is easy to see their irrelevance.
As you know, I always try to make Friday’s posts a little less serious. And, in the light of the above context, I want to provide my readers with a valuable resource that you will (hopefully) have an opportunity to utilize THIS VERY WEEKEND.
It is a “medieval sexual decision flowchart” that I found on the site Boing Boing.
It was submitted by one of their readers. It is taken from James Brundage’s Book “Law, Sex, and Christian Society in Medieval Europe.”
The reader says…
In his book “Law, Sex, and Christian Society in Medieval Europe,” James Brundage creates a truly fantastic flow chart explaining when one can and (mostly) cannot engage in the physical act of love.
At the time, a lot of Christian theology basically took the form of lists of things one wasn’t allowed to do, so this flow chart probably isn’t far off from the real decision making process prescribed by the church.
If you are feeling frisky this weekend, but want to ensure that you are “following the rules” (imposed by other Christians; not Scripture), then this flow chart should serve you well.
If you are going to limit yourself based upon “cultural” constraints, why not utilize medieval cultural restraints?
Have a great weekend…but don’t get TOO wild.
Posted: September 7th, 2007 under Christian Sex, Christian Sex Advice, Christian Marriage, Humor, Christian Culture.
Comments: 2