Description or Prescription? (Part Six) – What does Jesus think about all this?

Among theologically-Evangelical scholars, Hebrew scriptures usually take second place to the Greek testament. The question, despite all we glean from Genesis 1-3, is “What did Jesus think about all this?”

Jesus’ radical views on marriage constantly raised theological controversy and political conflict. For that reason alone, all of those teachings are worthy of careful consideration. But one in particular, His contradiction of the Sadducees’ beliefs in Matthew 22:23-33, is richly layered, addressing multiple misunderstandings. For our topic, Jesus’ key statement is, “in the resurrection (we) neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” (Verse 30.)

Some assume from this that after this life we will all be celibate. The key to correcting this misunderstanding is to consider those “angels in heaven.” Biblically, angels are not dead humans, nor are they harp-carrying chubby babies with wings. Angels in scripture are mighty messengers, openly carrying their weapons, and routinely intervening in human lives—including sexually. (See 2 Peter 2:4-11; Jude 6-7; and arguably Genesis 6:1-8.) Seeing angels’ sexual behavior portrayed in these passages (and considering the impregnation of The Virgin Mary by The Holy Spirit) angels are no more celibate than humankind were prior to The Fall. Otherwise, why would the Apostle Paul seek to protect angels from the sexual temptation to abuse submissive women in 1 Corinthians 11:10?

Originally, sex was not confined to monogamous couples. That damage resulted from The Fall. In the afterlife, sex is also not confined to monogamous couples. That state results from Christ’s restoration. What about the here and now? That restoration to be fulfilled in The (future) Resurrection of everyone has been occurring since The (historical) Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Living as we were originally intended, and as we will be finally fulfilled, is a life to which even theologically-Evangelical Christians should aspire, even sexually.

About the images: As angelic a vision as can be, with red lacy lingerie…and then not. Paige’s portrayal marries Creation and Eternity in the here and now. More of her images, of course, are available at the Crooked Container site.