Christopher Yuan and Alisa Childers Discuss the Pillars of Side B "Theology"

Panel Discussion: The Christian Sexual Ethic

Recommended Resources:

The Lust of the Flesh by Jared Moore

Book Review: Holy Sexuality and the Gospel by Christopher Yuan

As far as I can remember when I became a Christian, the issue of sex and sexuality has also be a hot topic. Most sermons I heard on the subject was on why Christians should not have premarital sex and that was the end of it. Now a days, the talk in our churches have gone from sex within marriage to why God's standard of sexuality is pure and acceptable in one man, one woman covenant marriage relationship.

Christopher Yuan takes a look at God's standard of sexuality, the meaning of marriage, and this applies to the gospel in his latest book, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel. Yuan introduces his own story of how God transformed him and helped him embrace the Biblical view of sexuality, which you see more about in his first book, Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son's Journey to God. A Broken Mother's Search for Hope, which he co-wrote with his mother, Angela. Yuan shows us that we are God's image bearers who reflect the image of God. God's image bearers are the ones who desire to showcase God in everything they do and everything they are.

Yuan wrote that the image of God is essential to understanding what human sexuality is and who we are as human beings. Yuan stresses that the image of God is show who His image bearers who are male and female which brings us the issue of gender. The Bible shows only two genders, male and female who are created in the image of God. Regarding the issue of same-sex attraction, Yuan addresses it with grace and truth without coming across as one who is condemning those struggling with it. He does say there is nothing innocent about this temptation. He wrote that same-sex desires are not to played with. They should be resisted and mortified which is sexual immorality of all kinds should be put to death as Colossians 3:5 tells us.

In the issue of marriage, Yuan warns that can be used as an idol if one is not careful. Marriage is an expression of love, however, Yuan wrote, that highest ideal of love is God Himself. Marriage was given to us by God and should be used in service to our spouse. Marriage is a reflection of Christ's love for the church. Yuan then addresses the theology of marriage which is more than a man and woman saying, "I do" on their wedding day. It is a covenant between a man and a woman to remain faithful to each other and marriage is when a man and a woman become one flesh.

Yuan does address the issue of singleness. Many may think singleness are some form of taboo. Many singles feel they must be outside of God's will because they are not married. Nothing could be further from the truth. Singleness is a gift from the Lord. Singles will be able to have more time to serve and do things for the Lord, not that married people don't already. Some even choose singleness for various reasons. For some singles, it is not forever. If you are single, do not give up on your desire to marry, but use this time wisely.

Yuan tackles some tough issues in this book and does them with clarity. He speaks the truth in love without pointing an accusing finger. He always points back to Jesus and does not compromise the Bible.

Thanks Waterbrook Multinomah for letting me review this book.

Book Review: Out Of A Far Country by Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan

The story of the Prodigal Son is one of my favorite parables that Jesus taught in the Bible. In that parable we see a son who wanted his father's inheritance and squandered it until he reached a breaking point where he returned to his father. What makes this parable so amazing is the father embraced his son and restored him. This parable speaks to many Christians because it is their story or someone else's story. For Christopher Yuan, and his mother, Angela, this is their story.

The book Out Of A Far Country tells their story of how they were lost and came to the loving arms of the Father. Christopher is the son of Chinese immigrants, who noticed at an early age that he was different. He was attractive to boys. He kept this secret for a long time until he came forward to tell his parents the truth about himself. Angela could not accept what was happening in her son and she seek to change him which ended up in him in rebellion. Christopher left his home and embraced a life of drugs and porn. Angela was a woman who lost all hope.

Each chapter is written from either Angela or Christopher recalling how their lives were going out of control till one day God got a hold of them. Angela was the first to get saved and Christopher could not accept she was a Christian. Christopher ended up in prison where he discover that he was HIV positive. During his time in prison, Christopher embraced the gospel message and Christ forgave him of his sin.

Christopher went on to Moody Bible Institute, where he is now teaching. He and Angela travel all over the world telling their story how their life was a wreck yet Jesus redeemed both of them.

I have heard portions of Christopher's story before, but never had the chance to read this book until now. I highly recommend and pray this will be encouragement to those who are going through a similar situation.

Thanks Waterbrook Multnomah for letting me review this book.