The Gift of Sex

Religion and Theology: The Gift of Sex Name Course Institution Date Religion and Theology: The Gift of Sex Introduction One of the most driving factors of human life is religion. Believers of religion experiences some hope in life and this gives them reasons to hold on and wait for another dawn whenever dusk arrives. It is very difficult to define religion no wonder Albert Einstein expressed it as knowledge of the existence of a being human beings cannot penetrate. Every person has a way of expressing religion according to him or her own conviction. In simple terms, religion can be termed as the cultural system relating humanity to beliefs and values essential for creating a powerful and long lasting meaning to an individual. Religion is believed to be rooted in whilst deriving its power from the encounter with the natural world capable of provoking fear and threatening orders. On the other hand, theology can be termed as the study or religion. Many communities have existed with religion for quiet some time and they still hold onto the same. In the world, various people believe in varied perceptions and convictions thus yielding too many religions within the world. Examples of religion include Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, amongst others. This paper focuses on religion and its study, theology in an attempt to review a book "The Gift of Sex" by Penner and Penner (2003). It attempts to give an analysis of the various themes found within the text as corresponds to matters of religion and its study. Theme of Sexuality as a Gift from God Penner and Penner (2003) are so much convinced that sexuality came from God. The authors are Christians as they use the Bible as a way of supporting the perceptions and conviction especially in regards to the sexuality. According to the authors, the Bible confirms that it is God who gave humanity the gift of sex. Sexuality, which entails the maleness and femaleness within human being, is something that God created and never arose as a result of any sinful actions or they were never added as man and woman grew up. They were created with that difference within them. After being convinced that sexuality was obtained from creation, the authors then assert that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God. The maleness and femaleness we experience are all creation of God in his own image. The image of God is the particular design upon which man and woman were created thus sexuality is a gift from God and not any other action or creation that is picked or discovered as one grows. God had planned everything from the word go concerning the issue of sexuality within human beings. He knew very well that it was the only sure way of enhancing the generations to come and thus filling the earth. God designed humanity in such a way that the emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of a person are together. There is no such a time when He separated any of the aspects (Penhollow, Penhollow & Young, 2010). For that matter any sexual activity involves the three aspects of the body and in cases where there is only one aspect being employed then that does not amount to sexuality granted by God. Lovemaking is not a mere physical contact between man and a woman but it goes deep into ones` soul, spirit, emotion, and this leads to fulfilled relationships between the two parties involved in sex. It is therefore true that sex is a gift from God. God was so perfect in His creations that He also gave sexual intercourse as a gift to humanity. It would have been meaningless having created man and woman with all the two separate reproductive and sexual organs without giving them a go ahead to enjoy sexual intercourse by making use of the varied reproductive organs. That is why the Bible being the reference point states clear that a man shall leave his parents and be united with his wife and the two shall become one flesh. What this means is that God gave man and woman authority to engage in sexual intercourse. We have established above that lovemaking entails the holistic nature of a person in totality with his or her emotions, soul, spirit, and physical well being. It is only through bringing all these four together between a man and a woman that the two separate bodies become one flesh. This confirms beyond reasonable doubt that sexuality is a gift from God and everyone should be convinced about this (Heather, Oberne, Fuhrmann & Buhi, 2011). In any case, the relationship between man and woman is used as an imagery representing the God-man relationship. The Bible in puts it clear that when sin interrupted the communication between God and man it also interrupted the communication between man and woman. After Adam and Eve sinned they were never close to God and they were chased away from the Garden of Eden. This means the relationship between God and man grew sour. It is surprising seeing Adam blaming Eve for his misfortune and this leads to a sour relationship between man and woman (Marsh, 2010). Hence, it comes out clear that the relationship between man and woman is the symbol of the relationship between God and man and whenever the latter grows sour the former as well. This indicates that God was so much happy ad convinced having created a man and a woman. Theme of Sexuality within Marriage Even though it is true that sex is a gift from God and that it was meant for people for strengthening relationships and bonding, very clear directives are given concerning the sex issue. Man and woman were commanded by God to be fruitful and fill the earth. Reading through the scripture tells of the sole reason of sexual experience is to enhance relationship while that of sex is only meant for unity, procreation, and pleasure as well. Whereas animals have sexual intercourse for reproduction purposes, human beings have it for pleasure, unity, and procreation as well (Heather, Oberne, Fuhrmann & Buhi, 2011). It should be however noted that there is no way a person can unite with someone he or she is not living with neither is it recommended for a person to bear a child he or she is not going to take care of. Some aspects of sex that comes out within the Bible are that it should be more for pleasures than just for making babies. Nonetheless, there is need to note that sex is meant only for the married and not the unmarried. Indulging in sexual intercourse by the unmarried is termed as fornication and this is regarded as a sin. The Bible puts it clear that the body is the temple of the Lord and anyone who indulges in sexual activity is committing fornication, which is a serious sin as it destroys the temple of the body. In fact, amongst all the sins sexual intercourse is considered to be the most detrimental as it happens right inside a person`s body (Marsh, 2010). We should struggle always to avoid the urge for sexual intercourse and this will surely mean that we are waiting until we are married. It is therefore important that one of the themes discussed within this text is the fact that sexuality though is a gift from God and that people are meant to enjoy should only be so for the married people. Unmarried people who engage in sexual activities commit fornication, which is a sin that destroys the temple of the Lord (Heather, Oberne, Fuhrmann & Buhi, 2011). Sex within married couple is meant for pleasure, procreation, and bonding the two. The married man and woman need to become one flesh just like the Bible say. The only way of becoming one flesh is through the sexual intercourse where every part of the body is involved that is emotional, spiritual, soul, and physical as well. God gave the gift of sex for the married people to bond them more as they become one body and flesh through the memorable a...