Historically, particularly among Christians, chastity was considered a virtue. Kleinig observes that in recent history it has been viewed, possibly even among Christians, as a burden. Those who defend the virtue of chastity are on the defensive. They are fighting against the mass of public opinion. Sadly, it appears that often Christian pastors, teachers, and parents are not always defending chastity as we might. Those young people who value chastity are made to feel like something at a freak show, some sort of social oddity, if they avoid extramarital sexual activity.
Kleinig tries to form a positive case for chastity, hoping that he can help provide the positive ammunition needed by people committed to chastity. I'll just try to format the points he makes in a set of bullet points.
- Sexual intercourse is often viewed as a merely natural activity. Yet it involves more than one person. It is clearly not merely a matter of individual physicality.
- Sexual intercourse is often viewed as a means of self-fulfillment. We don't have cultural rites of passage. Sexual activity has seemed to become a rite of passage. But in fact it doesn't fulfill. Studies have actually shown the opposite. It tends to accentuate existing feelings of confidence, respect, or disrespect.
- Chastity is an important aspect of self-giving in marriage. It allows both people to release themselves and their entire past to each other in marriage.
- Unchastity can be seen as apostasy. It is a departure from God's commands and standards. Like any other sin it must be dealt with.
- Chastity is an aspect of our relationship with God. It enhances that relationship. There is spiritual value of faithfulness, not that it earns any merit before God, but that it encourages and nurtures our positive relationship with God. The relationship with God is one of faithfulness, like a chaste life.
Chastity is not the supreme Christian virtue. Love is the greatest gift of the Spirit. But "Christian chastity is a byproduct of that kind of love" (p. 140). It is a good thing to defend.
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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com and http://alex-kirk.blogspot.com
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