Read pages 135-139, from the middle of the last paragraph on page 135, "Pastor Charles had talked about how the abortion debate ..." down through the first full paragraph on page 139, "'I don’t ever want you to think that ...'"
This discussion is in a young adults' fellowship. Find the passage that Pastor Charles uses to open the discussion. Read it in context. Find the other passages that talk about Molech. Do you agree with Pastor Charles initial premise? What about the discussion that follows? Take time to carefully consider all the statements made. Don't just rest on what you already believe; seriously consider that you may have some flawed thinking.
What do you think of the link between selfishness and promiscuity and abortion discussed at the bottom of page 136? Do you agree with Sally's statement: “When you run around having sex with just anybody, you’re living for the momentary pleasure, not the long term. You’re worshiping your own body, your own pleasure. Of course it’s not going to bother you to abort a baby.”? Why or why not? Read the context. Does that help flesh out Sally's premise?
The conversation doesn't directly stay on sexual purity, but it is still closely related. Charles talks about how the frequent inflexibility and judgmentalness of many American Christians doesn't help the abortion debate. Carefully consider his ideas. Can those same types of attitudes influence sexual purity in the church? Is it possible that sexual purity is given too high a standing in the American church? If we treat virginity like a holy grail, what happens when young people slip and lose it? Virginity cannot be restored. What might be a more moderate, realistic, healthy approach? Can we teach about sexual purity without putting virgins on a pedestal?
If you have any questions or comments about "A Novel Approach," please email me at cheryl@cherylokimoto.com.
More questions about sexual purity.
