Brad Alles

The fact that Christianity changed people’s attitude toward sexuality was evident in many areas.  The wedding ceremony, the intimacy between a husband and wife, and the fidelity between then both are just a few examples.

Due to the Church’s teachings, the wedding ceremony became a dignified event.  This event was solemnized because God had instituted it at Creation.   Genesis 2:20-24 says,

But for Adam no suitable helper was found.  So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh.  Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.  The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”  That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Sex was then taught as the private expression of mutual love and respect between a husband and a wife.  It was not an act of self-serving lust.  Many biblical passages spoke to this subject.     Matthew 5:28 says, “‘But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.'”  1 Corinthians 7:3 states, “The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.”  Ephesians 5:25 says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”  And 1 Peter 3:7 says, “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”

Finally, adultery was seen as sin for both spouses.  No longer would there be a double standard, allowing men to cheat on their wives. Whether it was Old or New Testament, adultery was taught as against God’s will for both spouses:  “You shall not commit adultery, “(Exodus 20:14); and Hebrews 13:4, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”