개혁주의 신학에 따르면 남녀가 가진 성(性)은 하나님의 신비로운 창조물이며, 믿음의 자손을 낳는 수단이고, 부부관계를 견고하게 하는 합법적 연합의 수단이다. 어거스틴은 주체할 수 없는 성정 욕구를 인간의 타락의 결과라고 하였다. 자녀 생산 이외의 목적을 가진 부부의 성 관계는 개인적으로 회개해야 할 연약한 죄라 하였다. 아퀴나스도 자녀 생산에 제한하여 인간의 성 행위를 인정하였으며, 그 목적을 벗어난 성적 쾌락은 이성의 통제나 자연의 법을 벗어난 동물적 쾌락이라고 하였다. 그들은 독신 생활을 더 숭고하게 여겼으며, 자연의 목적에서 벗어난 쾌락 추구는 죽음에 이르는 죄라 했다. 그러나 칼빈은 성이 자녀 생산뿐만 아니라 부부에게 즐거움을 주도록 허락하신 하나님의 선물이므로 거기에 비롯된 쾌락은 마땅히 감사함으로 누려야 하며 양심의 괴로움을 느낄 것이 아니라고 말한다. 흔히 성적 죄책감을 일으키는 마태복음 5장의 말씀은 인간의 성적 욕구 자체를 정죄는 것이 아니라 간음의 목적을 가지고 고의적으로 이성을 보는 것을 가리켜 죄라고 말한다. 성경에서 부부의 성은 서로를 더둑 깊이 알아가는 평생의 과정이며, 신비롭고 건강한 교제가 실현될 때 안전하고 회복된 성을 누릴 수 있다.
The human sexuality of male and female is a God’s special creation in which God makes the human race continue to exist on earth. Sexuality helps the husband and his wife experience physical and spiritual union,which was embodied in the relationship between Jesus Christ and his church. St. Augustine regards a strong sexual desire as a result of the human Fall. He believes that any sexual relationship without an intention of childbirth is sin. Aquinas recommends a celibate life as being purer than marriage. They commonly warn against ‘excess’ of sexual desire or pleasure in a person’s life because it is against the natural law and the human reason. However, John Calvin claims that human sexuality is a God’s gift for family, so the husband and his wife have to enjoy the sexual union instead of feeling guilty about the experience. A sexual union among Christian couples is a lifelong process of knowing each other widely, deeply and holistically. Agape love can never replace the love of eros in the family, so sexual union among married couples must be more encouraged than be condemned not without sensitive cautions.
The human sexuality of male and female is a God’s special creation in which God makes the human race continue to exist on earth. Sexuality helps the husband and his wife experience physical and spiritual union,which was embodied in the relationship between Jesus Christ and his church. St. Augustine regards a strong sexual desire as a result of the human Fall. He believes that any sexual relationship without an intention of childbirth is sin. Aquinas recommends a celibate life as being purer than marriage. They commonly warn against ‘excess’ of sexual desire or pleasure in a person’s life because it is against the natural law and the human reason. However, John Calvin claims that human sexuality is a God’s gift for family, so the husband and his wife have to enjoy the sexual union instead of feeling guilty about the experience. A sexual union among Christian couples is a lifelong process of knowing each other widely, deeply and holistically. Agape love can never replace the love of eros in the family, so sexual union among married couples must be more encouraged than be condemned not without sensitive cautions.
