Andy's BlogThis 2:30 does a better job talking about sexuality than any sermon/lesson/book I have ever experienced. Who knew the Fox cooperation could do more on the topic of sex than find news anchorwoman with really big boobs? But seriously, I love this clip. And if sermons approached sexuality from Booth's angle, I think we would be more effective at teaching a healthy, God-oriented view of sexuality.
While I will take issue with Booth's comments about fetishes (which I am actually planning on discussing in my next blog post), I think he is spot on. Sex is a miracle. What I love about the TV show Bones is that the continual dilemma of the show is basically summarized in the rational (Bones) vs. the irrational (Booth).
I typically find myself to be a insanely rational person, which can make me a "cold" individual at times. But I have a faith that essentially asks me to be irrational, because faith by definition is trusting in what we cannot see. Now in our hyper-educated society, irrationalization is usually seen as a point of weakness. Reason is the god of the 21st century. And part of me identifies with this. But it is that same reason that eventually leads me back to faith, thus it is reason that brings me back to irrationalization. And sex is at the heart of it.
Creation I believe is the best evidence for God, and I think He wanted it that way. The complexities of our universe, and even our own bodies just could not have happened completely random. That is all fine and good, but that doesn't mean God is personal or loving or even good. But I think love and sex are the evidence of that. And I think subconsciously we know this to be true. It is why it is the one thing we all seem to long for and desire, but don't really know why (seriously, why do you desire to be loved?). And subconsciously, I think it is also why the church tries to defend it so vehemently (although usually it fails in its methods).
For example, did you know that the clitoris (as Family Guy puts it: "Nature's Rubik's Cube") has no other function whatsoever that to provide women with sexual pleasure? It is the only organ in either male or female that's sole purpose is sexual pleasure. What does that say about our Creator (other than that he is nicer to women than men)? Have you ever stopped and thought about why sex is pleasurable? Seriously. What evolutionary purpose is served by sex being pleasurable; by it being bonding; by it being, dare I say irrational.
I once read an author that said the sexual orgasm is the closest thing we come to experiencing the euphoria of God's entire goodness; or maybe better put it is the closest thing to heaven. In addition to that, the phrase, "with our bodies we worship Thee" used to be included in wedding vows. Why? Because sexuality, good sexuality, is designed to be such a transcendent experience that it can no better be described as worship. The miracle of two, trying to become one, even though physically and scientifically impossible, becomes possible through the act of sexuality. And that my friends is a God I can worship. That is a God I can trust to be irrational.
With that said, I look forward to a very interesting discussion in my next post about what good sex in marriage is like.
P.S. I think you'll have a good time with Thursdays post as well. It's a goodin.
"Time, Sex, and Power" by Leonard Shlain. Gets a little flaky but a good intro to some speculative evolutionary psychology.
"Sexual Personae" by Camille Paglia. Paglia, often called a "dissident feminist", is at her brilliant best here. Enormous and dizzying in scope.
"How the Mind Works" by Steven Pinker. Much depressing truth here.
Seriously. That's all you got. You're the married one. Am I right or wrong? Is this Bones clip a good one. The world is dying to know what Sarah thinks!
P.S. I never said I was going to tell you what good sex in a marriage is like. I said we were going to have a discussion. Read more carefully next time..sheesh! All those wildfires must be getting to you.
Now you say you can't think of an evolutionary explanation for sex being pleasurable. Well first off, it being pleasurable is a great incentive for doing it. In evolutionary terms, that means more offspring, and more genes get passed on. Now conceiving offspring is only half the battle. You have to rear them to adulthood too, where the "bonding" part of sexuality comes in.
There is much more to it, I suggest you go to a library and get yourself some books on evolutionary biology.
Now to clitoris. Many parts of human sexual anatomy start the same in males and females. For example testes and ovaries start out the same and differentiate in utero. Clitoris is analogous to a part of penis in males. It is therefore probable that clitoris, and as a consequence the female orgasm, developed just as a "left-over" of penis development in males - such as male nipples. One evolution researcher called female orgasm a "happy accident".
Anyways, I actually really liked the clip and thought that that guy had an interseting take on sex. I agree that sex is beautiful and in some weird way the two do become one - but it's weird cause it's more "wholistic" than just sex, it's life and serving and hurting and healing and well - let me think about it more and I may comment more later .