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alienated human beings from one another. It is this alienation that distorts and
deforms the sexual relationships God intended between men and women.
Holy Scripture bears witness to God’s will regarding human sexuality. Sexual desire
is rightfully fulfilled only within the lifelong union of a man and a woman in (holy)
matrimony (Gen 2:24). Heterosexual marriage is rooted in the order of creation. It
is not just a matter of tradition. Marriage is intended to be an enduring covenantal
relationship which reflects Christ’s own unconditional commitment to the Church
(Ephesians 5:25–27). God established marriage as a union of one man and one
woman within which it is good, right, and proper to engage in sexual relations.
Matrimonial customs may differ from one culture to another but the fundamental
divine intent for marriage may not be changed on the basis of mere preference,
custom, or culture. The dictates of culture, tradition, or personal preference must
be brought into submission to the Word of God. Marriage cannot be redefined at
the caprice of public opinion and must not be allowed to shift with the changing
tide of cultural mores or social practice.
Sexual practices that have been divorced from loving, covenantal marriage
relationships between men and women pervert God’s intentions and result in
sinful, exploitive, and promiscuous behavior that ruptures relationships between
men and women, and erodes the relationship between human beings and their
Creator. Humanity’s failure to ground sexual identity in God’s creative intent and
holy character violates Biblical standards of sexual purity.
In Matthew 15:19, Jesus teaches that immoral behavior starts first in the heart and
mind. Self-indulgent thoughts of sexual fulfillment outside of God’s creative intent
constitute inward sins of lust. No sexual act can be proper if it is driven by desires
that are contrary to the best interest of another human being or if it treats persons
as impersonal objects intended only for personal gratification. Passion aroused by
producing or viewing images of a sexual nature is morally unacceptable. We reject
the idea that pedophilia, incest, voyeurism, prostitution, polygamy, or pornography
is ever morally justified.
All sexual relationships outside of marriage between one man and one woman are
condemned by Holy Scripture. They are therefore never appropriate. This includes
all forms of intimate sexual stimulation that excite passion and sexual activity
between unmarried individuals (Matthew 5:27–29; Galatians 5:19). Such behavior
offends God and often causes physical and emotional pain as well as loss in
this life. God’s blessing rests on sexual intimacy only when it occurs within the
boundaries of marriage between a man and a woman.
In the New Testament, Jesus confirms the heterosexual creation of human
beings: God made them male and female (Matthew 19:4). Throughout Scripture
heterosexual families consisting of a father, mother, and their children (unless
they are unable to bear children) are the norm of society. The New Testament
reinforces the teaching of heterosexual love and sexual relations within marriage
(Ephesians 5:22–33; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:1–5).
Alongside this clear biblical teaching on God’s design for heterosexual marriage are
found specific instructions that prohibit homosexual conduct (Lev. 18:22, 20:13).
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