- Joly Fahim
OCCM Webinar: Sexuality and Society – Defining Love in Modern Times by Fr. Samuel Varghese
Updated: Mar 22, 2022
Joly Fahim | 14 February 2021
Joly is a graduate student studying Biomedical Engineering at the University of Houston. In this post, she summarizes the OCCM webinar led by Fr. Samuel Varghese, which discussed love in modern times.
God’s Design
God is the determiner of reality. Therefore, what God says is reality is what we must accept. Deviations from this reality is corrected through repentance to bring it back into accordance with God
In Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:23-24, God begins to describe the reality of the nature of male and female relationships. When Eve was created, it is evident through these verses that there something salvific about marriage
God reiterates this complementariness message in the old testament in Mark 10:6-9
Our Identity
We are made in the image of God
All humans are endowed with the capacity for love and good
All humans possess freedom to choose how these capacities are utilized
These two elements allow us to be like God
Christian Identity
In Galatians 3:26-28, St. Paul highlights that there are no limitations on becoming like God. This is highlighted in our baptismal liturgy in the it is the same regardless of gender
The above, however, is not a denial of gender, yet it points that we all share the same access to salvation
Effects of the Fall
Disorder
There is distinction from God and creation and between man and woman
Our resemblance to God has also been obscured due to sin
Sin is a perversion of the things God gave us to use (ex. Love)
Issues Related to the Fall
Sexual addiction, pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex, homosexuality, pornography, abuse, identity and gender
Realities of Christian Struggle after the Fall
Deny yourselves
This is mentioned in Matthew 16:24-26 where denying ourselves is the path towards Christ-likeness
Joy in Trials
In James 1:3-4, our struggles and temptations are chances to follow Christ
Abba Anthony also mentions that “without temptations, no one can be saved”
Satan tries all of us and nourishes the sins which the soul goes towards. We must then ask God not “why me?” but “How must I react?”
Lacking One Thing
In Mark 10:17-22, like Christ tells the man what to do so he can gain salvation, we must correct those we love to help them gain salvation
Judgement within the Church
In 1 Corinthians 5, St. Paul says it is not a kindness to individuals to say that this is the way they are. It is a kindness to them to allow them to gain God’s mercy
Language of Love: The Greek
Eros
The romantic love which, when perverted, leads to sin
Phileo
Brotherly love
This type of love was used in John 21 when Christ asked “Do you love me?”
Agape
The love we must achieve to even those who hate us
Christ used this in Matthew 5: 43-48 when He said “Love your enemies” and additionally in John 15:13 and John 13:34-35
Homosexuality
When it comes to homosexuality, St Paul highlights in 1 Corinthians 6:9-12 that although “all things are lawful”, “not all things are helpful” and this verse is yet another reiteration of the nature of relationships which God intended
In Romans 1:22-27, it says the “God gave them up to dishonorable passions” where God will not take away your free will, yet being in a spiritual environment is what allows us to repent
Gender
World Health Organization Definition
The WHO defines gender as a social construct. However, as a Christian, this is not truly what gender is as evident from our reproductive organs and capabilities
Why is Transgender Equality Important?/ How to Respect Non-Binary people
Because unrighteous treatment of individuals living in sin does not conform to our ideals as Christians since we all live in sin (ex. Being denied critical care, being fired from a job, etc.)