👉 Just Think About This:
Modern Society’s Approach to Sexual Ethics & Marriage
( Trends):   ↓
Modern society normalizes premarital and extramarital sex, views divorce as a common solution, increasingly accepts same-sex marriage and unions, and embraces fluid gender identities and expressions (like non-binary and transgender). There’s a strong emphasis on individual sexual liberation and self-expression as paramount.
The Church’s Adaptation
(Examples & Theological Stances):   ↓
Some Mainline Protestant denominations now ordain openly LGBTQ+ clergy and perform same-sex marriages (e.g., Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, United Methodist Church (as of 2024)). They often have more relaxed stances on divorce and remarriage, prioritizing compassion and individual circumstances. Their underlying theology often interprets biblical texts on sexuality as culturally bound or less prescriptive for contemporary contexts.
The Biblical Mandate
(Scriptural Guidance & Traditional Interpretation): ↓
👉 Just Think About This: The Bible institutes marriage as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9). It calls for sexual intimacy exclusively within the bounds of marriage (1 Corinthians 6:18-20; Hebrews 13:4) and condemns homosexual acts (Romans 1:26-27; Leviticus 18:22, 20:13). Divorce is generally prohibited with limited exceptions (Matthew 5:32, 19:9), with a strong emphasis on reconciliation.
