Christ Teachings

CAIRO/ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (Reuters) – Coptic Christians are trying to make their voices heard in Muslim-majority Egypt's parliamentary election, fearing Islamists could sweep in and deepen their sense of marginalisation.

"In many ways, [Hathaway] has the hardest job," Bale, 37, says. "There are a number of people who feel that the Catwoman role has been defined previously. So, I always saw Anne's role as being the toughest job of any of us." Christian Bale : I ' m Done

JOS, Nigeria — Clashes between Muslim and Christian ethnic groups in central Nigeria have killed at least 12 people and left "enormous" destruction, including houses burned, officials said on Thursday. Captain Charles Ekeocha said the army had imposed

Donations are still needed to the Christmas food baskets this year assembled and distributed by the Celina Christian Men's Fellowship. Donations can be mailed to the Celina Christian Men's Fellowship care of Jim Owens at 1541 Sunset Boulevard, Celina,

At a campaign stop Friday, Cain said that he celebrated when learning his Lebanese doctor was Christian. In Iowa, he is distributing a mailer that argues he "will be the 2012 GOP nominee because he's a descendant of slaves who can garner a large share

Bush will be the keynote speaker at Plumstead Christian School's Founders Forum April 24 on the campus of Calvary Church in Hilltown. Head of School Patrick Fitzpatrick said the school community will have first access to tickets.

3 Iowa caucuses are appealing today to about 3000 evangelical Christians gathered at a church in Des Moines in a conversational forrmat in which Fox News contributor Frank Luntz is attempting to elicit not-yet-heard answers about various factors

By Reporter Staff Vacaville Christian High School's football team lost its grip on the football and fell out of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI playoffs on Friday night in a 43-30 loss at Foresthill. "We were our own worst enemy," head coach Chris

Manassas City Police arrested Stefon Rodney Christian, 48, of 10210 Oxfordshire Drive, and charged him with four counts of forcible sodomy against a juvenile, police said. The male victim, now an adult, reported the alleged sexual abuse after the Penn

By Ron Rop The Muskegon Chronicle Muskegon Lumberjack defenseman Christian Pomarico rattles off the names of three men who have deeply inspired him. His great uncle, Louie Cartelli, along with his grandfathers Enea Cartelli and John Pomarico all

From the sound and the fury surrounding Tim Tebow's displays of Christian fervour on and off the football field, one would think he is the only athlete to have ever declared Jesus as his personal Lord and teammate. The Denver Broncos' quarterback is a

LAS CRUCES, NM — With 1:50 left, Matt Christian connected with Taveon Rogers on a 37-yard touchdown pass to lift New Mexico State over Fresno State 48-45 on Saturday night. The Aggies (4-6, 2-3 WAC) were up 17-23 at halftime, but the Bulldogs (3-7,

Last week, Rick Warren sent this message to the nearly 500,000 people who follow him on Twitter: “Husbands & wives should satisfy each other’s sexual needs. 1 Cor 7:3.”

His Twitter feed lit up with amens and retweets. “Oh gosh,” exclaimed one follower.

Loading…

Weigh In Corrections?

Archive

Q&A with Lisa Miller

Evangelicals and “hot sex”

Read Now

Evangelical Christians want to talk about sex. And not in the same old punitive way. They want to talk about hot sex — as long as it’s between a man and a woman who are husband and wife. That Warren, perhaps the nation’s most prominent evangelical pastor, would take up the cause only shows how much it matters to the people who listen to him.

Warren has a huggy-bear personal style that sometimes drifts toward over-sharing, and in another tweet he recently wrote: “Sex with 1 wife for Life ISNT like playing 1 record over&over but learning 1 instrument well for yrs of beautiful music!” (I can almost see his wife, Kay, far more restrained and private than her husband, blushing.)

This sexual revolution is the inevitable result of a younger Christian generation rejecting outright the prudish “don’t do it because I said so” approach to sex and social morality of their grandfathers. According to a recent article in Christian magazine Relevant, 80 percent of self-identified Christians have sex before marriage, compared with 88 percent of the general population. According to “UnChristian,” a 2008 book by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, 44 percent of born-again Christians ages 23 to 41 believe sex outside marriage is morally acceptable, compared with 23 percent of those who are older. Divorce rates among evangelicals are the same as those in the population at large.

The model Christian marriage, moreover, has traditionally been one in which the wife bows to the will of her husband the way a Christian does to God, but many evangelical women are in the midst of their own liberation movement. They are reinterpreting Scriptural verses requiring them to “submit” and “obey,” and they’re no longer content to “be known as the quiet, meek, pathetic group that doesn’t get to experience twenty-first century freedom,” as Jonalyn Fincher writes in the afterword to “UnChristian.”

By the same token, the sexual satisfaction of Christian women historically has not been of high importance. Even today, the Focus on the Family Web site includes categories such as “Understanding Your Husband’s Sexual Needs” and “When Your Husband Isn’t Interested in Sex.”

The new sex talk is a way, then, of meeting Christians where they are. With explicit descriptions of the ecstasies of the married state, Christian leaders hope to persuade a younger generation that what they call “Biblical marriage” — a faithful, monogamous, heterosexual union before God — is relevant and valuable in the modern world.

To be blunt: They hope the promise of hot sex will keep young people from drifting away from church. Their worries are not unfounded. The number of young people who say they’re “unaffiliated” with any religious tradition stands at 31 percent, the fastest growing religious cohort in the country.

Now Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City has entered the conversation. He devotes the last chapter of his new book, “The Meaning of Marriage,” (written with his wife, Kathy) to sex. Keller, who ministers mainly to single professionals in Manhattan, provides readers with general (hot) guidelines on married sex, such as: “Each partner in a marriage is to be most concerned not with getting sexual pleasure but with giving it. . . . The greatest sexual pleasure should be the pleasure of seeing your spouse getting pleasure.”

The couple also confesses, in an intimate way, to their early marital struggles with sex. “We came to realize,” Kathy writes, “that orgasm is great, especially climaxing together. But the awe, the wonder, the safety, and the joy of just being one is stirring even without that. And when we stopped trying to perform . . . things started to move ahead.”

In church, Keller is an intimidating force, an intellectually demanding Calvinist who preaches frequently on sin. Passages like these compel you to imagine him at his most vulnerable. Is it uncomfortable? Yes. Do Keller, and Warren, and others fall short by failing to include gays and lesbians in their vision of married love? Yes.

But with their clinical frankness, these leaders are giving real sex to Christians the way “The Joy of Sex” gave it to the masses back in 1972.

Last week, Rick Warren sent this message to the nearly 500,000 people who follow him on Twitter: “Husbands & wives should satisfy each other’s sexual needs. 1 Cor 7:3.”

His Twitter feed lit up with amens and retweets. “Oh gosh,” exclaimed one follower.

Loading…

Weigh In Corrections?

Archive

Q&A with Lisa Miller

Evangelicals and “hot sex”

Read Now

Evangelical Christians want to talk about sex. And not in the same old punitive way. They want to talk about hot sex — as long as it’s between a man and a woman who are husband and wife. That Warren, perhaps the nation’s most prominent evangelical pastor, would take up the cause only shows how much it matters to the people who listen to him.

Warren has a huggy-bear personal style that sometimes drifts toward over-sharing, and in another tweet he recently wrote: “Sex with 1 wife for Life ISNT like playing 1 record over&over but learning 1 instrument well for yrs of beautiful music!” (I can almost see his wife, Kay, far more restrained and private than her husband, blushing.)

This sexual revolution is the inevitable result of a younger Christian generation rejecting outright the prudish “don’t do it because I said so” approach to sex and social morality of their grandfathers. According to a recent article in Christian magazine Relevant, 80 percent of self-identified Christians have sex before marriage, compared with 88 percent of the general population. According to “UnChristian,” a 2008 book by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, 44 percent of born-again Christians ages 23 to 41 believe sex outside marriage is morally acceptable, compared with 23 percent of those who are older. Divorce rates among evangelicals are the same as those in the population at large.

The model Christian marriage, moreover, has traditionally been one in which the wife bows to the will of her husband the way a Christian does to God, but many evangelical women are in the midst of their own liberation movement. They are reinterpreting Scriptural verses requiring them to “submit” and “obey,” and they’re no longer content to “be known as the quiet, meek, pathetic group that doesn’t get to experience twenty-first century freedom,” as Jonalyn Fincher writes in the afterword to “UnChristian.”

By the same token, the sexual satisfaction of Christian women historically has not been of high importance. Even today, the Focus on the Family Web site includes categories such as “Understanding Your Husband’s Sexual Needs” and “When Your Husband Isn’t Interested in Sex.”

The new sex talk is a way, then, of meeting Christians where they are. With explicit descriptions of the ecstasies of the married state, Christian leaders hope to persuade a younger generation that what they call “Biblical marriage” — a faithful, monogamous, heterosexual union before God — is relevant and valuable in the modern world.

To be blunt: They hope the promise of hot sex will keep young people from drifting away from church. Their worries are not unfounded. The number of young people who say they’re “unaffiliated” with any religious tradition stands at 31 percent, the fastest growing religious cohort in the country.

Now Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City has entered the conversation. He devotes the last chapter of his new book, “The Meaning of Marriage,” (written with his wife, Kathy) to sex. Keller, who ministers mainly to single professionals in Manhattan, provides readers with general (hot) guidelines on married sex, such as: “Each partner in a marriage is to be most concerned not with getting sexual pleasure but with giving it. . . . The greatest sexual pleasure should be the pleasure of seeing your spouse getting pleasure.”

The couple also confesses, in an intimate way, to their early marital struggles with sex. “We came to realize,” Kathy writes, “that orgasm is great, especially climaxing together. But the awe, the wonder, the safety, and the joy of just being one is stirring even without that. And when we stopped trying to perform . . . things started to move ahead.”

In church, Keller is an intimidating force, an intellectually demanding Calvinist who preaches frequently on sin. Passages like these compel you to imagine him at his most vulnerable. Is it uncomfortable? Yes. Do Keller, and Warren, and others fall short by failing to include gays and lesbians in their vision of married love? Yes.

But with their clinical frankness, these leaders are giving real sex to Christians the way “The Joy of Sex” gave it to the masses back in 1972.

Caption Lea Michele and Christian Louboutin attend the Christian Louboutin 20th Anniversary and Book Launch at Barneys New York in Beverly Hills on November 3, 2011 Soooooo…I got this really fabulous invite to a party at Barney's New York in Beverly

According to the Saratoga County Board of Elections' results, Christian Mathiesen unseated one-term incumbent Richard Wirth to head the Public Safety department Tuesday night by 317 votes — a 5.2 percent margin. With absentee ballots still to be

An undated photograph provided by the American Center for Law & Justice shows Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian pastor who faces execution for refusing to recant his Christian faith. Government officials in Iran are trying to convince a

WASHINGTON (RNS) Catholic and other Christian health care providers got their day in Congress Wednesday (Nov. 2) at a hearing Republicans called to denounce an Obama administration rule that requires insurers to cover contraception.

But mocking him for his Christian beliefs is out of bounds, according to ESPN's Jemele Hill. "I don't care if Tebow is cemented as an NFL failure," Hill wrote, "that doesn't give people license to mock his faith." Hill was referring to last Sunday's

Safe to say, everyone loves Christian Louboutin's sexy red soles. Last night, the designer celebrated his new self-titled book, Christian Louboutin, at Barneys in a sea of beautiful shoes and celebrities like Blake Lively, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen,

Controversial Christian broadcaster Harold Camping has acknowledged his faulty projections, and issued an apology to his followers. The Christian Post reports that the longtime radio evangelist has retired. Brandon Tauszik, documentarian, told the Post

JERUSALEM — Israeli archaeologists say they have found a tiny, 1400-year-old token of Christian faith among the remains of an ancient road in Jerusalem. The finding, an exquisitely made 0.8 inch-by-0.6-inch (2 centimeter by 1.5 centimeter) box of bone

Back then, during his first bid for president, he faced opposition from candidates including Mike Huckabee, a former Baptist minister and favorite of evangelical voters who billed himself as the “Christian leader.” Romney has faced questions about his

(AP) JAFFA, Israel — The schedules for Mass at the two Roman Catholic churches in Jaffa, on Israel's Mediterranean coast, reveal a change that has dramatically, if quietly, altered the face of Christianity in the Holy Land. The two Masses in Arabic

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Yucca Valley Stake is on Sage Avenue. The term "stake" comes from the prophet Isaiah and refers to a tent stake. The more stable the stake, the stronger the support of the tent, "a tabernacle that shall

Christian Laettner was "ejected" and Enes Kanter finally made his Lexington debut. Both drew huge applause from a half-full crowd of University of Kentucky fans who came to watch the group of Wildcats alumni play a team of anti-heroes from the

Florida says tight end Gerald Christian and receiver Robert Clark intend to transfer. Coach Will Muschamp announced their decisions to leave Tuesday. Christian and Clark, both sophomores, are the latest in a growing list of players to leave Florida

Leading the largest independent Evangelical Christian Arab ministry in Israel and the Palestinian territories, I believe it is time to address the issue of where the indigenous Christian population needs to place itself in this moment of sacred history

East Grand Rapids' David Drummond works for some extra yards against Grand Rapids Christian during last year's 49-48 East Grand Rapids win in the second round of the playoffs. – (TJ Hamilton The Grand Rapids Press) Those OK Conference football

It wouldn't be hyperbole to call this Friday's the most significant game in Shoals Christian's football history. In its 10th season of football, the Flame has never played for a region championship. That will change Friday,

Now we turn to the Christian case for marriage and make the claim that the "message of marriage" is even more pronounced in Christian scripture and doctrine. Jesus called for man to "leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife" and said that

Mike Huckabee won Iowa's Republican presidential caucuses partly by locking up the support of evangelical pastors, the former Baptist minister's brethren and a potent voting bloc within the state's influential Christian conservatives.

Directed by MATTHIJS VAN HEIJNINGEN, it stars MARY ELIZABETH WINSTEAD, JOEL EDGERTON, ULRICH THOMSEN, ADEWALE AKINNUOYE-AGBAJE and ERIC CHRISTIAN OLSEN. During our recent interview, OLSEN talked about the extensive special effects he went through on

Justin Moore is electric and Alex Ball kicks five field goals for Westlake in 43-21 victory over Oaks Christian. By Eric Sondheimer A standing-room-only crowd of more than 5500. A national television audience. Neighbor playing against neighbor.

Wolfe garnered the most votes earning her the right to present her charity of choice, the Christian Associates of Table Rock Lake, with the $100000 grant. "Oscar Mayer has not only brought $100000 to build homes in Joplin, but given hope!

Valor Christian's Wynd- ham Clark liked his 64 on Monday so much, he repeated his 8-under-par round Tuesday and won another state 4A boys golf title. (RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post ) WINDSOR — From the moment Wyndham Clark stepped on the

Time was when you risked being thrown to the lions if you were a Christian. Back then, the church was persecuted for spreading a message of faith, hope and love. As the Bible says, “the greatest of these is love”, and the idea scared the authorities

Robertson's decision marks a significant departure for the founder of the Christian Coalition, who was once a central figure in Republican politics. Robertson, 81, was frequently sought out by GOP candidates hoping to curry favor with religious

(Christian Solidarity World) Iran state media put out a stunning report Saturday claiming that imprisoned Christian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani is facing the death sentence for rape and extortion, not for apostasy and refusing to renounce his religion,

By Michael DiRocco GAINESVILLE — Florida might have found a playmaker in the passing game in tight end Gerald Christian. The sophomore from West Palm Beach had two impressive catches in UF's victory over Kentucky on Saturday, including a 45-yarder on

Pierre Ducharme / AP Lakeland Police and Polk County Sheriff's Deputies converged on Greater Faith Christian Center Church after the shootings. LAKELAND, Fla. — A Florida pastor has returned to the pulpit one week after he and another minister were

ASHBURN, Va. – America is in what evangelical leader Chuck Colson is calling an "ethical mess" and it's time for Christians and the rest of the population to start "doing the right thing.

At a time when the world is upside down, both morally and spiritually, it would be a great time for some Christian man or woman to step up and remind of us who we are, and whose we are. That voice of reason and words of wisdom will not be coming from

EDMOND — Oklahoma Christian University officials dedicated the new Bobby Murcer Indoor Training Facility on Friday, the latest step in the revival of the school's baseball program. OC officials and members of Bobby Murcer's family gathered to

SAN ANGELO, Texas — Renowned Christian pastor Rick Warren observed what churchgoers really want in a pastor. He saw a church sign that said: "Come hear our pastor! He's not very good but he's brief" The national magazine Christianity

Rick Perry in order to pray for God to help save "a nation in crisis" referring to America (Brandon Thibodeaux – GETTY IMAGES) Evangelical Christians are leading an international campaign against theocracy, the very system of government we are accused

Rick Perry in order to pray for God to help save "a nation in crisis" referring to America (Brandon Thibodeaux – GETTY IMAGES) Evangelical Christians are leading an international campaign against theocracy, the very system of government we are accused

San Francisco Giants' Chris Stewart is congratulated by teammates after he scored on a double by Justin Christian during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011, in Los Angeles.

For those of you familiar with the California's FAIR Education Act (SB48), it is the latest target for many Christian groups who believe that homosexuality is a sin. Motivations are far more complex than that but for me to try and capture what my

15 (Bloomberg) — Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry, in an appeal to evangelical voters, said “Christian values” and not “a bunch of Washington politicians” should be the touchstone guiding how Americans conduct their lives.

Aragon High grad Justin Christian was rewarded for his tenacity and perseverance when the San Francisco Giants called him up from their Triple-A farm club in Fresno on Sept. 6. He was in the starting lineup in center field and leading off