"The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality" by Christopher J. Gordon. A Review

 

A new tool can be a pleasure to use. When hitting Estate Sales or the Hardware store I’m often looking for new tools, and once I obtain one, I quickly race home, unwrap it and start playing with it and making new projects so I can use it. Christopher J. Gordon, senior minister at Escondido United Reformed Church in California and host of Abounding Grace Radio, has given folks a new tool. It’s a teeny pamphlet, all of 31 pages: “The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality”. As a catechism, it is written in a question-answer format and has 41 of these installments. It’s handy, easy on the eyes, and filled with Scripture annotations. It’s ideal for older and younger adults and could be material for Christian education settings.

The catechism runs the gamut of subjects regarding human sexuality. From creation and God’s original design to marriage and singleness, unwanted desires and self-made “identities,” marital abuse and oppression to pornography. Gordon has sensibly moved away from a “single issue” to the larger beauty of God-created human sexuality, and how humans have taken a beautiful thing and broken it. One of the high points in this little manual is how we’re to respond to those struggling with sexual sins. No shunning and avoiding allowed! Instead, following Paul’s direction in Galatians 6:

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1-2)

There are, of course, things that could be done to tighten up this wee work. Some people will likely want other subjects covered and explained. For them I would say, it is a “work-in-progress”. As needs arise, I’m sure others will pick this brochure up and supplement it. One of the areas that would have been extremely helpful is if the author could have spent time biblically defining “Identity”. That language arises several times but is never made clear. I recall a few years back in my own denomination (the Presbyterian Church in America), that this “identity” talk caused quite a bit of nervous discussion because it means different things in different contexts.

All-in-all, “The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality” is a nifty new tool. Churches and study groups will find it beneficial. It would also make a good addition to a congregation’s book table and free-give-away booklets. I recommend the work.

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