Section IV – The Human Person: The Image of God Created and Restored: This is an audio reading of Section IV of the Seoul Statement, addressing critical issues of human identity, sexuality, marriage, and restoration in Christ. To read the full text, visit lausanne.org/statement/the-seoul-statement.
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.0607578828Section four of the Soul Statement the human person, the image of God, created and restored introduction. 2 00:00:09,530.0607578828 --> 00:00:17,600.060757883 Today, the world is absorbed with the question, what does it mean to be human? This makes the Christian doctrine of the human person critically important. 3 00:00:18,200.060757883 --> 00:00:24,50.060757883 How we answer this question has profound implications for our witness in the world and our life in the church. 4 00:00:24,590.060757883 --> 00:00:30,20.060757883 It goes to the very heart of the great upheavals in the world with regard to issues such as identity. 5 00:00:30,440.060757883 --> 00:00:34,400.060757883 Human sexuality and the implications of advancing technologies. 6 00:00:34,880.060757883 --> 00:00:43,910.060757883 A sound doctrine of the human person is also vital for dealing with the growing phenomenon of leaders that claim superhuman powers and godlike authority within the church. 7 00:00:45,110.060757883 --> 00:00:47,930.060757883 One, the image of God is the essence of being human. 8 00:00:49,820.060757883 --> 00:00:53,390.060757883 Scripture teaches that human beings are uniquely created in God's image. 9 00:00:53,990.060757883 --> 00:00:57,440.060757883 This uniqueness includes stewardship, roles and responsibilities in the world. 10 00:00:58,10.060757883 --> 00:01:13,370.060757883 The gift of image bearing provides all human beings with inherent dignity, equality, and worth, regardless of gender, ethnicity, race, cast, age, physical and mental capacities, and socioeconomic and cultural contexts. 11 00:01:13,910.060757883 --> 00:01:25,760.060757883 The triune God created human beings to be relational, including personal relationships with God and the formation of communities for reference, see Genesis 1 26 to 28 and two 15. 12 00:01:26,435.060757883 --> 00:01:33,575.060757883 Human beings are an integrated physical and spiritual unity, possessing a spiritual dimension that compliments the physical. 13 00:01:34,235.060757883 --> 00:01:38,585.060757883 We therefore reject any privileging of body or spirit over and against the other. 14 00:01:39,425.060757883 --> 00:01:44,675.06075788 We acknowledge that sin affects the degree to which human beings can fully reflect the image of God. 15 00:01:45,155.06075788 --> 00:01:48,5.06075788 Sin corrupts our inherent human nature and capacities. 16 00:01:48,425.06075788 --> 00:01:51,785.06075788 Our relationships with others and our human vocation in the world. 17 00:01:52,295.06075788 --> 00:01:58,115.06075788 Sin adversely influences people to treat other humans as objects, not as persons of intrinsic worth. 18 00:01:58,835.06075788 --> 00:02:06,35.06075788 At times, even Christians have sinfully misinterpreted the image of God outta self-interest to marginalize and dehumanize others. 19 00:02:07,595.06075788 --> 00:02:15,95.06075788 Two, the image of God is restored In Christ, we affirm that Jesus Christ, the son of God is the image of God. 20 00:02:15,620.06075788 --> 00:02:18,530.06075788 By his incarnation, he became fully human as the second Adam. 21 00:02:19,280.06075788 --> 00:02:29,240.06075788 Unlike the first Adam, he lived a sinless life and thus qualified to redeem humanity from sin and its alienation from God as the preeminent and perfect image of God. 22 00:02:29,660.06075788 --> 00:02:34,550.06075788 Jesus Christ is the human ideal to which every believer is being transformed by the Holy Spirit. 23 00:02:35,330.06075788 --> 00:02:40,250.06075788 As we partake in God's nature, we are being conformed to Christ's likeness by grace. 24 00:02:40,835.06075788 --> 00:02:51,665.06075788 This Christ likeness is revealed in the renewing of our character practice, desires and aspirations, and at is second coming in the transformation of our bodies into the likeness of Christ's resurrected body. 25 00:02:52,385.06075788 --> 00:02:54,365.06075788 For reference, see Colossians one 15. 26 00:02:54,845.06075788 --> 00:02:58,85.06075788 Hebrews one, one to three, John 1, 1 14. 27 00:02:58,745.06075788 --> 00:03:01,685.06075788 Philippians two, one to 11, Ephesians one 10. 28 00:03:02,285.06075788 --> 00:03:09,35.06075788 Romans five, 12 to 14, one Corinthians 15, 45 to 49, and verse 50 to 54. 29 00:03:09,455.06075788 --> 00:03:15,95.06075788 The church is God's new humanity created by Christ who reconciles believers to God and to each other. 30 00:03:16,55.06075788 --> 00:03:22,265.06075788 This new humanity is being transformed to bear the image of Christ, the one who defines true and full humanity. 31 00:03:22,985.06075788 --> 00:03:25,535.06075788 For reference, see Ephesians two, 14 to 16. 32 00:03:26,75.06075788 --> 00:03:29,915.06075788 Romans eight, nine, Romans 12, one to two. 33 00:03:30,425.06075788 --> 00:03:32,15.06075788 Second Corinthians three 18. 34 00:03:33,335.06075788 --> 00:03:41,675.06075788 As bearers of God's image redeemed, human beings are endowed with gifts and ministries in order to serve the common good of the church and bring glory to God in the world. 35 00:03:42,185.06075788 --> 00:03:50,495.06075788 Every Christian has been granted the privilege of participating in and being an ambassador for the kingdom of God through their various gifts and callings. 36 00:03:51,110.06075788 --> 00:04:02,810.06075788 However, all of these manifestations and practices are to be weighed against the apostolic witness to the gospel and scripture so that no one is deceived by a false gospel or participates in the robbing of God's glory. 37 00:04:03,530.06075788 --> 00:04:20,390.06075788 For reference, see one Corinthians 12, four through seven, Romans 12, four through eight, Ephesians four, 11 to 16, one Corinthians one, four to eight, one Peter four, 10 to 11, Matthew seven, 15 to 16, Galatians one, six to nine. 38 00:04:21,20.06075788 --> 00:04:39,50.06075788 One John two 19 and Jude three to four, we lament any false notions of the new humanity that contradict the Christlike ideal and grieve for Christian leadership that moves away from Christlikeness, as is evident in prosperity and fame based ministries where some even make claims to possessing divinity. 39 00:04:39,650.06075788 --> 00:04:46,460.06075788 Christ's leadership example challenges such claims and the manipulation of others as a sign of spiritual authority. 40 00:04:47,390.06075788 --> 00:04:50,150.06075788 Life in the kingdom of God is characterized by humility. 41 00:04:50,480.06075788 --> 00:04:54,800.06075788 Repentance and reliance on God's grace for reference. 42 00:04:54,800.06075788 --> 00:04:56,210.06075788 See Luke 9 23. 43 00:04:56,600.06075788 --> 00:04:59,750.06075788 Philippians two, eight through 11 and three 18 through 19. 44 00:05:00,380.06075788 --> 00:05:07,10.06075788 One Corinthians 15, nine to 10, one John one, eight to 10 be await the resurrection of the body and the consummation of the new creation. 45 00:05:07,310.06075788 --> 00:05:15,560.06075788 When the image and likeness of God and human beings will be fully renewed, then God's people will enjoy fullness of life and communion with God, with each other, and with all creation. 46 00:05:16,280.06075788 --> 00:05:19,880.06075788 For reference, see Isaiah 65, 17, 66, 22. 47 00:05:20,690.06075788 --> 00:05:22,370.06075788 Two Peter three 13. 48 00:05:22,880.06075788 --> 00:05:25,520.06075788 Revelation 21, 1 to four. 49 00:05:26,510.06075788 --> 00:05:29,60.06075788 Three, the image of God and human sexuality. 50 00:05:31,400.06075788 --> 00:05:32,270.06075788 3.1. 51 00:05:32,660.06075788 --> 00:05:34,790.06075788 The Christian understanding of sexual identity. 52 00:05:36,500.06075788 --> 00:05:47,240.06075788 The biblical account of creation recognizes that humans are created as sexual beings with clearly identifiable physical characteristics as male and female, and relational characteristics as man and woman. 53 00:05:48,230.06075788 --> 00:06:00,200.06075788 The sex of an individual refers to the biological characteristics that distinguish male from female, whereas gender refers to the psychological, social and cultural associations with being male or female. 54 00:06:01,250.06075788 --> 00:06:10,250.06075788 The Bible unambiguously affirms that human beings, both male and female, bear the image of God representing the creator in the care of his created earth. 55 00:06:10,730.06075788 --> 00:06:16,700.06075788 For reference, see Genesis 1 26 to 28 and 2 22 to 23. 56 00:06:18,155.06075788 --> 00:06:20,195.06075788 We lament any distortion of sexuality. 57 00:06:20,795.06075788 --> 00:06:25,655.06075788 We reject the notion that individuals may determine their gender without regard to our creativeness. 58 00:06:26,135.06075788 --> 00:06:30,335.06075788 Although biological sex and gender may be distinguished, they are inseparable. 59 00:06:30,905.06075788 --> 00:06:36,875.06075788 Maleness and femaleness are an inherent fact of human creativeness, a fact to which cultures give expression. 60 00:06:37,235.06075788 --> 00:06:41,735.06075788 In distinguishing between men and women, we also reject the notion of gender fluidity. 61 00:06:42,65.06075788 --> 00:06:43,295.06075788 The claims are fluctuating. 62 00:06:43,295.06075788 --> 00:06:45,455.06075788 Gender identity or gender expression. 63 00:06:45,830.06075788 --> 00:07:01,550.06075788 Depending on situation and experience throughout history, however, persons whose sex is not observably clear at birth, broadly designated today as intersex individuals have faced significant psychological and social challenges in the scriptures. 64 00:07:01,550.06075788 --> 00:07:14,360.06075788 God expresses his deep concern for eunuchs in their experience of alienation and pain, and has prepared a better future for those who put their trust in God, promising them the restoration of their dignity in this same way. 65 00:07:14,705.06075788 --> 00:07:20,285.06075788 The people of God are called to respond with compassion and respect towards those who face similar circumstances. 66 00:07:20,285.06075788 --> 00:07:27,65.06075788 Today, for reference, see Isaiah 56, 4 through five, 3.2, 67 00:07:27,695.06075788 --> 00:07:30,155.06075788 the Christian understanding of marriage and singleness. 68 00:07:31,895.06075788 --> 00:07:39,125.06075788 The first reference to marriage in the Bible indicates that marriage is God ordained and depicts marriage as the exclusive bond of one man and one woman. 69 00:07:39,995.06075788 --> 00:07:43,865.06075788 This results in a new entity that the Bible refers to as one flesh. 70 00:07:44,495.06075788 --> 00:07:57,65.06075788 We affirm therefore, that according to God's design, marriage is a unique and exclusive covenant relationship between one man and one woman who commit themselves to a lifelong physical and emotional union of mutual love and sharing. 71 00:07:57,875.06075788 --> 00:08:02,645.06075788 For reference, see Genesis 2 24, Matthew 19, four through six. 72 00:08:03,245.06075788 --> 00:08:09,305.06075788 Furthermore, the biblical teaching is consistent, that covenant marriage is the only legitimate context for sexual intercourse. 73 00:08:09,755.06075788 --> 00:08:16,115.06075788 Sex outside the bounds of marriage is declared to be a sinful violation of the creator's design and intent. 74 00:08:16,805.06075788 --> 00:08:22,445.06075788 We lament all attempts in the church to define same sex partnerships as biblically valid marriages. 75 00:08:23,75.06075788 --> 00:08:31,955.06075788 We grieve that some Christian denominations and local congregations have acquiesced to the demands of culture and claim to consecrate such relationships as marriages. 76 00:08:32,465.06075788 --> 00:08:35,945.06075788 We affirm that marriage is intended by God to serve human flourishing. 77 00:08:36,305.06075788 --> 00:08:40,415.06075788 By providing the necessary context for the nurture of succeeding generations. 78 00:08:40,985.06075788 --> 00:08:50,315.06075788 Faithful marriages allow for strong bonds of family life, appropriately, delimiting freedom, and creating the bounded and nurturing environment that enables children to thrive. 79 00:08:50,945.06075788 --> 00:08:58,895.06075788 The biblical vision of marriage includes the fulfillment of the creator's mandate to procreate, and simultaneously provides companionship and pleasure. 80 00:08:58,895.06075788 --> 00:09:04,805.06075788 For the couple we are saddened that the pursuit of sexual freedom is a perceived personal and social good. 81 00:09:05,225.06075788 --> 00:09:13,895.06075788 Has downplayed the procreation aspect of marital sex, which has often led to the devaluing of children and the dramatic increase in abortions globally. 82 00:09:14,855.06075788 --> 00:09:19,925.06075788 For reference, see Genesis 1 28 and Genesis two 18 to 25. 83 00:09:20,705.06075788 --> 00:09:34,775.06075788 Uh, the Christian marriage is modeled on the relationship of Christ and the church, and therefore constitutes a unique means of witness to the outworking of the gospel as the husband and wife fulfill their responsibilities to one another as disciples under the lordship of Jesus Christ. 84 00:09:35,405.06075788 --> 00:09:45,485.06075788 Therefore, Christians who choose to marry must invest the necessary effort to care for their marital relationship and for the upbringing of children who may be born to them or adopted by them. 85 00:09:46,55.06075788 --> 00:09:48,365.06075788 See Ephesians 5 22 to 31. 86 00:09:49,265.06075788 --> 00:09:55,175.06075788 While marriage has been the assumed ideal for adults in all societies and in marriage, husband and wife compliment each other. 87 00:09:55,625.06075788 --> 00:09:58,925.06075788 Marriage is not an essential step to make a person complete. 88 00:09:59,585.06075788 --> 00:10:03,815.06075788 Both married and single persons are fully able to fulfill the creator's will. 89 00:10:04,220.06075788 --> 00:10:05,840.06075788 And bear witness to Jesus Christ. 90 00:10:06,380.06075788 --> 00:10:14,570.06075788 Each individual created in the image of God is a complete person with maximum potential within the context of other human relationships. 91 00:10:14,930.06075788 --> 00:10:19,700.06075788 The Lord Jesus, the ideal human, exemplified this truth about the life of singleness. 92 00:10:20,210.06075788 --> 00:10:31,760.06075788 The Apostle Paul positively argued that singleness, whether circumstantial or vocational, offered the Christian unique opportunities to serve the cause of the kingdom of God in ways not possible for those who are married. 93 00:10:32,495.06075788 --> 00:10:34,985.06075788 C one Corinthians 7 32 to 35. 94 00:10:36,95.06075788 --> 00:10:46,685.06075788 We call all local churches to support both singles and married couples within the community of Christian believers through teaching, mentoring, and networks of mutual encouragement and practical support. 95 00:10:47,225.06075788 --> 00:10:55,295.06075788 Such a community witnesses to the power of the gospel by modeling the biblical values of deep friendships, love and faithfulness in marriage. 96 00:10:55,820.06075788 --> 00:11:03,800.06075788 The honoring of parents and the dedicated nurture of children within the context of loyalty to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and to the glory of God. 97 00:11:05,870.06075788 --> 00:11:06,710.06075788 3.3, 98 00:11:07,580.06075788 --> 00:11:23,420.06075788 the Christian understanding of same sex, sexual relations, sexual intimacy between persons of the same sex is a phenomenon that is as old as human civilization and the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments shows its awareness of such practices. 99 00:11:24,380.06075788 --> 00:11:28,760.06075788 On six occasions, we find the explicit mention of same sex sexual behavior in the Bible. 100 00:11:29,450.06075788 --> 00:11:49,400.06075788 Because of the extraordinary importance of the subject for society and the church today, it is vital that Christians become familiar with all the references to same sex, sexual intimacy in the Bible and their meanings in context for reference to these scriptures, see Genesis 19, one through three, Leviticus 18, 20, and 2013. 101 00:11:49,970.06075788 --> 00:11:52,130.06075788 Romans 1 24 to 27. 102 00:11:52,805.06075788 --> 00:11:56,465.06075788 One Corinthians six, nine to 11, and one Timothy one to nine to 11. 103 00:11:57,35.06075788 --> 00:12:00,515.06075788 The Old Testament refers to sex between persons of the same sex. 104 00:12:00,815.06075788 --> 00:12:11,195.06075788 In the account of Genesis 19, one through three, where the life of Abraham and his family intersected with the culture of Sodom, which God had declared to be grievously, wicked Sodom. 105 00:12:11,195.06075788 --> 00:12:14,705.06075788 S notoriety had been due to multiple forms of social evils. 106 00:12:15,215.06075788 --> 00:12:23,105.06075788 Including the attempted male rape of lots guests by all the townsmen being highlighted in the narrative as evidence of the abysmal moral condition of the city. 107 00:12:23,855.06075788 --> 00:12:39,995.06075788 For reference, see Ezekiel 1649 to 50, Genesis 18, 20 to 21, and 19 1 13 and Jude seven in the apostolic witness of the New Testament same sex behavior is referenced in Romans one 18 to 27. 108 00:12:40,595.06075788 --> 00:12:44,345.06075788 One Corinthians six, nine to 11 and one Timothy one, nine to 11. 109 00:12:44,735.06075788 --> 00:12:57,635.06075788 Against the backdrop of Greek and Roman culture, the historical record makes clear that sex between persons of the same sex was a well-known practice during this period, having been normalized, especially in the upper strata of society. 110 00:12:58,325.06075788 --> 00:13:13,265.06075788 In this context, it is striking that Paul places sex between persons of the same sex in the same category of sexual sin as fornication and adultery, and within a broader list of sins that included thieving, greed, drunkenness, slander, and swindling. 111 00:13:14,910.06075788 --> 00:13:16,415.06075788 One Timothy one, nine to 11. 112 00:13:16,745.06075788 --> 00:13:24,695.06075788 The list that prescribes same sex behavior includes petro side murder, fornication, slave trading, and perjury. 113 00:13:25,715.06075788 --> 00:13:31,985.06075788 All who do such things are called law breakers, rebels, ungodly, sinful, unholy, and irreligious people. 114 00:13:32,375.06075788 --> 00:13:41,375.06075788 In one Corinthians six, nine, Paul coined a term to describe sex between men from two references in Leviticus 18, 20 and 2013. 115 00:13:42,320.06075788 --> 00:13:50,180.06075788 These texts state that sex between persons of the same sex violates God's standards for the Israelites who have been bound by their covenant to God. 116 00:13:50,960.06075788 --> 00:14:02,720.06075788 When Paul refers to sex between people of the same sex in Romans 1 24 to 27, he does so to express how humanity's rebellion against God has led to the rejection of his created order. 117 00:14:04,430.06075788 --> 00:14:12,440.06075788 As indications of humanity's total moral bankruptcy, he cites the widespread practice of idle worship and sexual immorality. 118 00:14:13,400.06075788 --> 00:14:24,590.06075788 With regards to sexual impurity, Paul specifically condemned sex between women and sex between men, which were clearly well-known practices in what was considered the sophisticated culture of the time. 119 00:14:25,340.06075788 --> 00:14:31,430.06075788 All the biblical references to sex between persons of the same sex lead us to the inescapable conclusion. 120 00:14:32,60.06075788 --> 00:14:40,280.06075788 God considers such acts as a violation of his intention for sex and a distortion of the creator's good design and therefore sinful. 121 00:14:40,850.06075788 --> 00:14:53,270.06075788 However, the gospel assures us that those who have by ignorance or knowingly given into temptation and sinned, will find forgiveness and restoration of fellowship with God through confession, repentance, and trust in Christ. 122 00:14:53,750.06075788 --> 00:14:59,780.06075788 We recognize that a number of people, both within and outside the church experience same sex attraction. 123 00:15:00,470.06075788 --> 00:15:18,320.06075788 That for some, this is the only or dominant attraction, the biblical insistence that Christians must resist temptation and so maintain sexual holiness in both desire and behavior applies equally to heterosexually attracted individuals as it does to same sex attracted persons. 124 00:15:19,100.06075788 --> 00:15:24,500.06075788 We acknowledge, however, that Christians who are same-sex attracted face challenges even in Christian communities. 125 00:15:24,980.06075788 --> 00:15:29,0.06075788 We repent of our lack of love towards our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. 126 00:15:29,585.06075788 --> 00:15:43,85.06075788 We urge Christian leaders and local churches to recognize within our communities the presence of believers who experience same sex attraction and to support them in their discipleship by pastoral care and by developing healthy communities of love and friendship. 127 00:15:44,520.19709122 --> 00:15:55,455.19709122 If you have enjoyed this reading of the Soul Statement and would like to engage further with our resources, then we invite you to visit our website@wwwanne.org.
.0607578828Section four of the Soul Statement the human person, the image of God, created and restored introduction. 2 00:00:09,530.0607578828 --> 00:00:17,600.060757883 Today, the world is absorbed with the question, what does it mean to be human? This makes the Christian doctrine of the human person critically important. 3 00:00:18,200.060757883 --> 00:00:24,50.060757883 How we answer this question has profound implications for our witness in the world and our life in the church. 4 00:00:24,590.060757883 --> 00:00:30,20.060757883 It goes to the very heart of the great upheavals in the world with regard to issues such as identity. 5 00:00:30,440.060757883 --> 00:00:34,400.060757883 Human sexuality and the implications of advancing technologies. 6 00:00:34,880.060757883 --> 00:00:43,910.060757883 A sound doctrine of the human person is also vital for dealing with the growing phenomenon of leaders that claim superhuman powers and godlike authority within the church. 7 00:00:45,110.060757883 --> 00:00:47,930.060757883 One, the image of God is the essence of being human. 8 00:00:49,820.060757883 --> 00:00:53,390.060757883 Scripture teaches that human beings are uniquely created in God's image. 9 00:00:53,990.060757883 --> 00:00:57,440.060757883 This uniqueness includes stewardship, roles and responsibilities in the world. 10 00:00:58,10.060757883 --> 00:01:13,370.060757883 The gift of image bearing provides all human beings with inherent dignity, equality, and worth, regardless of gender, ethnicity, race, cast, age, physical and mental capacities, and socioeconomic and cultural contexts. 11 00:01:13,910.060757883 --> 00:01:25,760.060757883 The triune God created human beings to be relational, including personal relationships with God and the formation of communities for reference, see Genesis 1 26 to 28 and two 15. 12 00:01:26,435.060757883 --> 00:01:33,575.060757883 Human beings are an integrated physical and spiritual unity, possessing a spiritual dimension that compliments the physical. 13 00:01:34,235.060757883 --> 00:01:38,585.060757883 We therefore reject any privileging of body or spirit over and against the other. 14 00:01:39,425.060757883 --> 00:01:44,675.06075788 We acknowledge that sin affects the degree to which human beings can fully reflect the image of God. 15 00:01:45,155.06075788 --> 00:01:48,5.06075788 Sin corrupts our inherent human nature and capacities. 16 00:01:48,425.06075788 --> 00:01:51,785.06075788 Our relationships with others and our human vocation in the world. 17 00:01:52,295.06075788 --> 00:01:58,115.06075788 Sin adversely influences people to treat other humans as objects, not as persons of intrinsic worth. 18 00:01:58,835.06075788 --> 00:02:06,35.06075788 At times, even Christians have sinfully misinterpreted the image of God outta self-interest to marginalize and dehumanize others. 19 00:02:07,595.06075788 --> 00:02:15,95.06075788 Two, the image of God is restored In Christ, we affirm that Jesus Christ, the son of God is the image of God. 20 00:02:15,620.06075788 --> 00:02:18,530.06075788 By his incarnation, he became fully human as the second Adam. 21 00:02:19,280.06075788 --> 00:02:29,240.06075788 Unlike the first Adam, he lived a sinless life and thus qualified to redeem humanity from sin and its alienation from God as the preeminent and perfect image of God. 22 00:02:29,660.06075788 --> 00:02:34,550.06075788 Jesus Christ is the human ideal to which every believer is being transformed by the Holy Spirit. 23 00:02:35,330.06075788 --> 00:02:40,250.06075788 As we partake in God's nature, we are being conformed to Christ's likeness by grace. 24 00:02:40,835.06075788 --> 00:02:51,665.06075788 This Christ likeness is revealed in the renewing of our character practice, desires and aspirations, and at is second coming in the transformation of our bodies into the likeness of Christ's resurrected body. 25 00:02:52,385.06075788 --> 00:02:54,365.06075788 For reference, see Colossians one 15. 26 00:02:54,845.06075788 --> 00:02:58,85.06075788 Hebrews one, one to three, John 1, 1 14. 27 00:02:58,745.06075788 --> 00:03:01,685.06075788 Philippians two, one to 11, Ephesians one 10. 28 00:03:02,285.06075788 --> 00:03:09,35.06075788 Romans five, 12 to 14, one Corinthians 15, 45 to 49, and verse 50 to 54. 29 00:03:09,455.06075788 --> 00:03:15,95.06075788 The church is God's new humanity created by Christ who reconciles believers to God and to each other. 30 00:03:16,55.06075788 --> 00:03:22,265.06075788 This new humanity is being transformed to bear the image of Christ, the one who defines true and full humanity. 31 00:03:22,985.06075788 --> 00:03:25,535.06075788 For reference, see Ephesians two, 14 to 16. 32 00:03:26,75.06075788 --> 00:03:29,915.06075788 Romans eight, nine, Romans 12, one to two. 33 00:03:30,425.06075788 --> 00:03:32,15.06075788 Second Corinthians three 18. 34 00:03:33,335.06075788 --> 00:03:41,675.06075788 As bearers of God's image redeemed, human beings are endowed with gifts and ministries in order to serve the common good of the church and bring glory to God in the world. 35 00:03:42,185.06075788 --> 00:03:50,495.06075788 Every Christian has been granted the privilege of participating in and being an ambassador for the kingdom of God through their various gifts and callings. 36 00:03:51,110.06075788 --> 00:04:02,810.06075788 However, all of these manifestations and practices are to be weighed against the apostolic witness to the gospel and scripture so that no one is deceived by a false gospel or participates in the robbing of God's glory. 37 00:04:03,530.06075788 --> 00:04:20,390.06075788 For reference, see one Corinthians 12, four through seven, Romans 12, four through eight, Ephesians four, 11 to 16, one Corinthians one, four to eight, one Peter four, 10 to 11, Matthew seven, 15 to 16, Galatians one, six to nine. 38 00:04:21,20.06075788 --> 00:04:39,50.06075788 One John two 19 and Jude three to four, we lament any false notions of the new humanity that contradict the Christlike ideal and grieve for Christian leadership that moves away from Christlikeness, as is evident in prosperity and fame based ministries where some even make claims to possessing divinity. 39 00:04:39,650.06075788 --> 00:04:46,460.06075788 Christ's leadership example challenges such claims and the manipulation of others as a sign of spiritual authority. 40 00:04:47,390.06075788 --> 00:04:50,150.06075788 Life in the kingdom of God is characterized by humility. 41 00:04:50,480.06075788 --> 00:04:54,800.06075788 Repentance and reliance on God's grace for reference. 42 00:04:54,800.06075788 --> 00:04:56,210.06075788 See Luke 9 23. 43 00:04:56,600.06075788 --> 00:04:59,750.06075788 Philippians two, eight through 11 and three 18 through 19. 44 00:05:00,380.06075788 --> 00:05:07,10.06075788 One Corinthians 15, nine to 10, one John one, eight to 10 be await the resurrection of the body and the consummation of the new creation. 45 00:05:07,310.06075788 --> 00:05:15,560.06075788 When the image and likeness of God and human beings will be fully renewed, then God's people will enjoy fullness of life and communion with God, with each other, and with all creation. 46 00:05:16,280.06075788 --> 00:05:19,880.06075788 For reference, see Isaiah 65, 17, 66, 22. 47 00:05:20,690.06075788 --> 00:05:22,370.06075788 Two Peter three 13. 48 00:05:22,880.06075788 --> 00:05:25,520.06075788 Revelation 21, 1 to four. 49 00:05:26,510.06075788 --> 00:05:29,60.06075788 Three, the image of God and human sexuality. 50 00:05:31,400.06075788 --> 00:05:32,270.06075788 3.1. 51 00:05:32,660.06075788 --> 00:05:34,790.06075788 The Christian understanding of sexual identity. 52 00:05:36,500.06075788 --> 00:05:47,240.06075788 The biblical account of creation recognizes that humans are created as sexual beings with clearly identifiable physical characteristics as male and female, and relational characteristics as man and woman. 53 00:05:48,230.06075788 --> 00:06:00,200.06075788 The sex of an individual refers to the biological characteristics that distinguish male from female, whereas gender refers to the psychological, social and cultural associations with being male or female. 54 00:06:01,250.06075788 --> 00:06:10,250.06075788 The Bible unambiguously affirms that human beings, both male and female, bear the image of God representing the creator in the care of his created earth. 55 00:06:10,730.06075788 --> 00:06:16,700.06075788 For reference, see Genesis 1 26 to 28 and 2 22 to 23. 56 00:06:18,155.06075788 --> 00:06:20,195.06075788 We lament any distortion of sexuality. 57 00:06:20,795.06075788 --> 00:06:25,655.06075788 We reject the notion that individuals may determine their gender without regard to our creativeness. 58 00:06:26,135.06075788 --> 00:06:30,335.06075788 Although biological sex and gender may be distinguished, they are inseparable. 59 00:06:30,905.06075788 --> 00:06:36,875.06075788 Maleness and femaleness are an inherent fact of human creativeness, a fact to which cultures give expression. 60 00:06:37,235.06075788 --> 00:06:41,735.06075788 In distinguishing between men and women, we also reject the notion of gender fluidity. 61 00:06:42,65.06075788 --> 00:06:43,295.06075788 The claims are fluctuating. 62 00:06:43,295.06075788 --> 00:06:45,455.06075788 Gender identity or gender expression. 63 00:06:45,830.06075788 --> 00:07:01,550.06075788 Depending on situation and experience throughout history, however, persons whose sex is not observably clear at birth, broadly designated today as intersex individuals have faced significant psychological and social challenges in the scriptures. 64 00:07:01,550.06075788 --> 00:07:14,360.06075788 God expresses his deep concern for eunuchs in their experience of alienation and pain, and has prepared a better future for those who put their trust in God, promising them the restoration of their dignity in this same way. 65 00:07:14,705.06075788 --> 00:07:20,285.06075788 The people of God are called to respond with compassion and respect towards those who face similar circumstances. 66 00:07:20,285.06075788 --> 00:07:27,65.06075788 Today, for reference, see Isaiah 56, 4 through five, 3.2, 67 00:07:27,695.06075788 --> 00:07:30,155.06075788 the Christian understanding of marriage and singleness. 68 00:07:31,895.06075788 --> 00:07:39,125.06075788 The first reference to marriage in the Bible indicates that marriage is God ordained and depicts marriage as the exclusive bond of one man and one woman. 69 00:07:39,995.06075788 --> 00:07:43,865.06075788 This results in a new entity that the Bible refers to as one flesh. 70 00:07:44,495.06075788 --> 00:07:57,65.06075788 We affirm therefore, that according to God's design, marriage is a unique and exclusive covenant relationship between one man and one woman who commit themselves to a lifelong physical and emotional union of mutual love and sharing. 71 00:07:57,875.06075788 --> 00:08:02,645.06075788 For reference, see Genesis 2 24, Matthew 19, four through six. 72 00:08:03,245.06075788 --> 00:08:09,305.06075788 Furthermore, the biblical teaching is consistent, that covenant marriage is the only legitimate context for sexual intercourse. 73 00:08:09,755.06075788 --> 00:08:16,115.06075788 Sex outside the bounds of marriage is declared to be a sinful violation of the creator's design and intent. 74 00:08:16,805.06075788 --> 00:08:22,445.06075788 We lament all attempts in the church to define same sex partnerships as biblically valid marriages. 75 00:08:23,75.06075788 --> 00:08:31,955.06075788 We grieve that some Christian denominations and local congregations have acquiesced to the demands of culture and claim to consecrate such relationships as marriages. 76 00:08:32,465.06075788 --> 00:08:35,945.06075788 We affirm that marriage is intended by God to serve human flourishing. 77 00:08:36,305.06075788 --> 00:08:40,415.06075788 By providing the necessary context for the nurture of succeeding generations. 78 00:08:40,985.06075788 --> 00:08:50,315.06075788 Faithful marriages allow for strong bonds of family life, appropriately, delimiting freedom, and creating the bounded and nurturing environment that enables children to thrive. 79 00:08:50,945.06075788 --> 00:08:58,895.06075788 The biblical vision of marriage includes the fulfillment of the creator's mandate to procreate, and simultaneously provides companionship and pleasure. 80 00:08:58,895.06075788 --> 00:09:04,805.06075788 For the couple we are saddened that the pursuit of sexual freedom is a perceived personal and social good. 81 00:09:05,225.06075788 --> 00:09:13,895.06075788 Has downplayed the procreation aspect of marital sex, which has often led to the devaluing of children and the dramatic increase in abortions globally. 82 00:09:14,855.06075788 --> 00:09:19,925.06075788 For reference, see Genesis 1 28 and Genesis two 18 to 25. 83 00:09:20,705.06075788 --> 00:09:34,775.06075788 Uh, the Christian marriage is modeled on the relationship of Christ and the church, and therefore constitutes a unique means of witness to the outworking of the gospel as the husband and wife fulfill their responsibilities to one another as disciples under the lordship of Jesus Christ. 84 00:09:35,405.06075788 --> 00:09:45,485.06075788 Therefore, Christians who choose to marry must invest the necessary effort to care for their marital relationship and for the upbringing of children who may be born to them or adopted by them. 85 00:09:46,55.06075788 --> 00:09:48,365.06075788 See Ephesians 5 22 to 31. 86 00:09:49,265.06075788 --> 00:09:55,175.06075788 While marriage has been the assumed ideal for adults in all societies and in marriage, husband and wife compliment each other. 87 00:09:55,625.06075788 --> 00:09:58,925.06075788 Marriage is not an essential step to make a person complete. 88 00:09:59,585.06075788 --> 00:10:03,815.06075788 Both married and single persons are fully able to fulfill the creator's will. 89 00:10:04,220.06075788 --> 00:10:05,840.06075788 And bear witness to Jesus Christ. 90 00:10:06,380.06075788 --> 00:10:14,570.06075788 Each individual created in the image of God is a complete person with maximum potential within the context of other human relationships. 91 00:10:14,930.06075788 --> 00:10:19,700.06075788 The Lord Jesus, the ideal human, exemplified this truth about the life of singleness. 92 00:10:20,210.06075788 --> 00:10:31,760.06075788 The Apostle Paul positively argued that singleness, whether circumstantial or vocational, offered the Christian unique opportunities to serve the cause of the kingdom of God in ways not possible for those who are married. 93 00:10:32,495.06075788 --> 00:10:34,985.06075788 C one Corinthians 7 32 to 35. 94 00:10:36,95.06075788 --> 00:10:46,685.06075788 We call all local churches to support both singles and married couples within the community of Christian believers through teaching, mentoring, and networks of mutual encouragement and practical support. 95 00:10:47,225.06075788 --> 00:10:55,295.06075788 Such a community witnesses to the power of the gospel by modeling the biblical values of deep friendships, love and faithfulness in marriage. 96 00:10:55,820.06075788 --> 00:11:03,800.06075788 The honoring of parents and the dedicated nurture of children within the context of loyalty to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and to the glory of God. 97 00:11:05,870.06075788 --> 00:11:06,710.06075788 3.3, 98 00:11:07,580.06075788 --> 00:11:23,420.06075788 the Christian understanding of same sex, sexual relations, sexual intimacy between persons of the same sex is a phenomenon that is as old as human civilization and the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments shows its awareness of such practices. 99 00:11:24,380.06075788 --> 00:11:28,760.06075788 On six occasions, we find the explicit mention of same sex sexual behavior in the Bible. 100 00:11:29,450.06075788 --> 00:11:49,400.06075788 Because of the extraordinary importance of the subject for society and the church today, it is vital that Christians become familiar with all the references to same sex, sexual intimacy in the Bible and their meanings in context for reference to these scriptures, see Genesis 19, one through three, Leviticus 18, 20, and 2013. 101 00:11:49,970.06075788 --> 00:11:52,130.06075788 Romans 1 24 to 27. 102 00:11:52,805.06075788 --> 00:11:56,465.06075788 One Corinthians six, nine to 11, and one Timothy one to nine to 11. 103 00:11:57,35.06075788 --> 00:12:00,515.06075788 The Old Testament refers to sex between persons of the same sex. 104 00:12:00,815.06075788 --> 00:12:11,195.06075788 In the account of Genesis 19, one through three, where the life of Abraham and his family intersected with the culture of Sodom, which God had declared to be grievously, wicked Sodom. 105 00:12:11,195.06075788 --> 00:12:14,705.06075788 S notoriety had been due to multiple forms of social evils. 106 00:12:15,215.06075788 --> 00:12:23,105.06075788 Including the attempted male rape of lots guests by all the townsmen being highlighted in the narrative as evidence of the abysmal moral condition of the city. 107 00:12:23,855.06075788 --> 00:12:39,995.06075788 For reference, see Ezekiel 1649 to 50, Genesis 18, 20 to 21, and 19 1 13 and Jude seven in the apostolic witness of the New Testament same sex behavior is referenced in Romans one 18 to 27. 108 00:12:40,595.06075788 --> 00:12:44,345.06075788 One Corinthians six, nine to 11 and one Timothy one, nine to 11. 109 00:12:44,735.06075788 --> 00:12:57,635.06075788 Against the backdrop of Greek and Roman culture, the historical record makes clear that sex between persons of the same sex was a well-known practice during this period, having been normalized, especially in the upper strata of society. 110 00:12:58,325.06075788 --> 00:13:13,265.06075788 In this context, it is striking that Paul places sex between persons of the same sex in the same category of sexual sin as fornication and adultery, and within a broader list of sins that included thieving, greed, drunkenness, slander, and swindling. 111 00:13:14,910.06075788 --> 00:13:16,415.06075788 One Timothy one, nine to 11. 112 00:13:16,745.06075788 --> 00:13:24,695.06075788 The list that prescribes same sex behavior includes petro side murder, fornication, slave trading, and perjury. 113 00:13:25,715.06075788 --> 00:13:31,985.06075788 All who do such things are called law breakers, rebels, ungodly, sinful, unholy, and irreligious people. 114 00:13:32,375.06075788 --> 00:13:41,375.06075788 In one Corinthians six, nine, Paul coined a term to describe sex between men from two references in Leviticus 18, 20 and 2013. 115 00:13:42,320.06075788 --> 00:13:50,180.06075788 These texts state that sex between persons of the same sex violates God's standards for the Israelites who have been bound by their covenant to God. 116 00:13:50,960.06075788 --> 00:14:02,720.06075788 When Paul refers to sex between people of the same sex in Romans 1 24 to 27, he does so to express how humanity's rebellion against God has led to the rejection of his created order. 117 00:14:04,430.06075788 --> 00:14:12,440.06075788 As indications of humanity's total moral bankruptcy, he cites the widespread practice of idle worship and sexual immorality. 118 00:14:13,400.06075788 --> 00:14:24,590.06075788 With regards to sexual impurity, Paul specifically condemned sex between women and sex between men, which were clearly well-known practices in what was considered the sophisticated culture of the time. 119 00:14:25,340.06075788 --> 00:14:31,430.06075788 All the biblical references to sex between persons of the same sex lead us to the inescapable conclusion. 120 00:14:32,60.06075788 --> 00:14:40,280.06075788 God considers such acts as a violation of his intention for sex and a distortion of the creator's good design and therefore sinful. 121 00:14:40,850.06075788 --> 00:14:53,270.06075788 However, the gospel assures us that those who have by ignorance or knowingly given into temptation and sinned, will find forgiveness and restoration of fellowship with God through confession, repentance, and trust in Christ. 122 00:14:53,750.06075788 --> 00:14:59,780.06075788 We recognize that a number of people, both within and outside the church experience same sex attraction. 123 00:15:00,470.06075788 --> 00:15:18,320.06075788 That for some, this is the only or dominant attraction, the biblical insistence that Christians must resist temptation and so maintain sexual holiness in both desire and behavior applies equally to heterosexually attracted individuals as it does to same sex attracted persons. 124 00:15:19,100.06075788 --> 00:15:24,500.06075788 We acknowledge, however, that Christians who are same-sex attracted face challenges even in Christian communities. 125 00:15:24,980.06075788 --> 00:15:29,0.06075788 We repent of our lack of love towards our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. 126 00:15:29,585.06075788 --> 00:15:43,85.06075788 We urge Christian leaders and local churches to recognize within our communities the presence of believers who experience same sex attraction and to support them in their discipleship by pastoral care and by developing healthy communities of love and friendship. 127 00:15:44,520.19709122 --> 00:15:55,455.19709122 If you have enjoyed this reading of the Soul Statement and would like to engage further with our resources, then we invite you to visit our website@wwwanne.org.
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