1. What brought about the change in Sean Doherty’s feelings from exclusive same-sex attraction to the point of marrying a woman?
2. Summarize the findings from science showing that sexual feelings have physical correlates. What is your interpretation of these findings?
3. How does engaging in same-sex behavior logically imply a body/person dualism (even if the persons involved are not conscious of it)?
4. The text claims that a Christian sexual ethic is pro-body, while a secular sexual ethic is anti-body. How does the text defend that claim? Do you agree? Why or why not?
5. Explain Kant’s dualism. How did it pave the path to postmodernism? How does the quote from Camille Paglia capture the contrast between a secular and a biblical worldview regarding sexual morality?
6. The idea that sexual desire is fixed and central to one’s identity is a recent invention. Explain when and how it was invented. (Read endnote 29. Refer as well to chapter 4, endnote 57.) What problems are created by placing sexuality at the core of one’s identity? How has even the APA rejected the “gay script”?
7. What do scientists mean when they say that sexual desires and feelings are fluid and changeable? What are the implications of these new findings?
8. Explain the meaning of Timothy Keller’s thought experiment of the Anglo-Saxon warrior and the Manhattan urbanite. Do you agree with Keller’s point? Why or why not?
9. Christopher Yuan says the opposite of homosexuality is not heterosexuality but holiness. Explain what he means. What is the difference between temptation and sin?
10. “God made me gay.” Imagine you have a friend who makes this statement. How would you respond?
11. Jean Lloyd, a former lesbian, advises pastors on how to give a truly loving response to people with same-sex attractions. Summarize her advice. Do you agree with it? Why or why not?
12. What does the term eunuch mean when used in Scripture? What are some strategies churches can pursue to help singles, whether attracted to the opposite sex or the same sex, live out a biblical sex ethic? Do you have any examples to offer from your own experience?
13. Some argue that Bible verses such as Leviticus 18:22 refer only to temple prostitution as it was practiced in ancient Canaanite worship practices and do not apply to loving, committed same-sex relationships. How would you respond? How would you support your response?
14. Explain the three types of law contained in the Old Testament. How does this distinction clarify the Bible’s teaching on moral questions such as homosexuality?
15. Explain why biblical sexual morality actually increased Christianity’s popularity in the early church. What might be some implications for the church today?
Dialogue
“Mom, Dad, I’m gay.” Imagine it is your son or daughter talking. Or imagine a friend of yours has approached you. Using material from the text, how would you respond? Write out your conversation.
Dialogue
You are talking with someone close to you, a friend or family member, who is questioning the biblical ethic on same-sex relations. Using material from the text, in a conversational form, express your best defense of the biblical ethic.