DESCRIPTION:

This course will examine human sexuality from a Christian perspective. The biblical foundations for sexuality will be covered as well as a variety of topics within the field. We are living in a time of great cultural confusion about sex. The church has been silent, except for negative admonitions, for centuries. Students will develop tools for dealing with sexuality in the local church.

Sexual sin has been one of the most prevalent causes of harm to the church in the last few decades. This should not surprise us as it has also been one of the chief ways great leaders were tempted in the Old Testament (Joshua, David, and Solomon). This has not just been a problem in the Catholic Church. A recent study revealed that 40% of all evangelical pastors struggled with Internet pornography. Members of our churches are longing for answers to tough sexual issues. Young people want to know what healthy sexuality is and what boundaries should they practice and for what reasons. This course will challenge the students to develop their own model of healthy sexuality that they can use in their ministries.

Class sessions will consist of lectures by the professor and by guest lecturers, discussion, case study analysis, video tape presentations, and small group participation. The class will meet on campus 8:00-11:50 June 20-21, 27-30 and July 1. Wednesday June 22-Saturday June 25 students will participate in STEPS 2005, a national conference for Christians in recovery to be held at Lake Avenue Church, Pasadena. Conference fees are waived for students enrolled in CN558.

Fortune, Marie. Is Nothing Sacred? Harper-Collins, 1989.

Laaser, Mark. Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction. Zondervan, 2004.

Nelson, Tommy. The Book of Romance. 1998.

Penner, Joyce and Cliff. The Gift of Sex. Word, 1981.

Additional recommended reading will be listed in the course syllabus.

1. Read all required texts plus additional reading for a total of at least 1200 pages.

2. Submit brief one-page critiques of each of the required books; first due June 28, second due June 30, other two due July 15.

3. Write an 8-10 page research paper including both a personal reflection on a model of healthy sexuality and this model's relevance for the local church, due August 15.

4. Brief final exam, multiple choice and true and false, on July 1.

5. Class participation.

None.

Elective.

Yes.