The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality

by Christopher J. Gordon

"I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful savior Jesus Christ.” So begins The Heidelberg Catechism.

Written by Zacharius Ursinus and published in 1563, the Heidelberg Catechism quickly became a manual for Christian living and religious instruction during the Reformation. A catechism focused on helping Christians lay hold of the deepest truths in the best ways was dearly needed during the tumultuous time of the Reformation.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Anthropology

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Michael Philliber · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Christian Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short and practical work. Worth having around.

[Tristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful little resource.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biblical answers to 41 questions about human sexuality. It's very short, with minimal detail; I would've preferred more, but it seems the intent was to stick to the essentials. The audiobook doesn’t include the Bible references, but fortunately, the text does.

It's modeled after the Heidelberg Catechism.

Gordon received input from Rosaria Butterfield, Christopher Yuan, R. Scott Clark, W. Robert Godfrey, Carl Trueman, David VanDrunen, Michael Brown, Doug Barnes, Wes Bredenhof, Chad Vegas, Mark Stromberg, Jonathan Cruse, and Jon Payne.

Notes
Foreword
We're responsible for inborn and actual sins (Ps 5:5; Rom 1:18; Deut 27:15; Heb 9:27).

Preface
Many historic creeds and confessions don't specifically address sexuality.

Creation
God created humans male and female, and to call gender a category separate from biological sex to pursue a different sexual identity is unnatural to creation order; (Gen 1:31; Ps 100:3; Rom. 1:21-27).

A small percentage of people born sexually indeterminate, but they're anomalies which don't negate objective categories, and we can't use them to redefine God's creation order (Gen. 1:26-27).

We may not change our sex because God created us male or female, and to change would be rebellion (Lev 18:21-19:28; Deut 23:1; Ps 51:3-6) and distortion of God's work (Gen 2:7, 22; Ps 100:3).

Sex is only acceptable within marriage (Gen 2:21-24; Ex 20:14; 1 Cor 7:1-2; Eph 5:3-5; Heb 13:4).

The general rule is to not divorce (Gen 2:21-14; Matt 19:6; Mark 10:7-9), but divorce is permitted in irreconcilable cases of adultery or abandonment (Matt 19:1-9; 1 Cor 7:10-17).

Governments don't have authority to change marriage into something contrary to what God instituted at creation (a man and woman together for life) (Gen 2:24; Lev 18:22; Matt 19:5; Mark 7:21; Rom 1:24-32; 1 Cor 6:9; Eph 5:31), whether same-sex marriage or anything else (Acts 5:28-29; Rom 13:1-2).

Fall
All desires, including unchosen ones, have become fallen, and are not to be unquestionably followed (Gen 3:16; Jer 17:9; 1 John 2:16; Rom 7:14-25; 2 Tim 3:6; Gal. 5:24; Eph 2:3).

Temptation isn't sin when it originates outside us (Gen 39:6-12; Matt 4:1-10). It becomes sin when we entertain and welcome sinful desires and act on them (Gen 3:6; 4:6-8; 2 Kings 5:20-27).

God condemns desires that are contrary to His law, as well as actual sins (Prov 6:25; 7; Matt 5:28; 1 Cor 10:6; Gal 5:16). Contrary desires are sinful even if unchosen, since they come from a corrupt heart (Matt 15:19; James 1:15). All impure thoughts and desires, prior to the conscious act of the will, are sin in God’s eyes (Rom 2:15-16; 8:5; Eph 4:17-19; Rev 2:23).

God condemns sinful desires and actions related to sexual immorality (Matt
15:18-20).

Redemption
Christ sets us free from slavery to any form of sexual sin (Rom 6:5-14; Heb 8:10-12), able to pursue a sexually pure life (Col 3:1-5; Rom. 6:11, 21; Eph. 5:1-17).

Restoration
Believers may continue to struggle against same-sex attraction.

Christians shouldn't avoid or shun people who struggle against any sexual sin (2 Sam 12:1-13; Luke 15:1-2).

Why porn is sinful
• Its use ruins sexual intimacy intended for marriage (Eph 5:25; Heb 13:4)
• It supports idolizing humans (Rom 1:24-25)
• It dehumanizes people, promoting abuse (Gen 1:26-27)
• It advances other forms of sexual impurity (Rom 1:18-27; James 1:14-15; 2 Pet 2:14)
• Time spent with it isn't spent on better things, harming neighbors in society (2 Thess 3:6-12)
• It degrades the mind into sin (Rom 1:28-32; Eph 4:18-19)

[Inwoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

Dr. Jon Payne writes on the back:
A comprehensive moral revolution is under way in the West. Satan is leading the campaign, and God's holy design for marriage and sexuality is a primary target. This is what makes Gordon's New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality a welcome and timely resource for churches
committed to serious biblical discipleship, and the passing down of the faith to successive generations.

Here are some questions and answers that come from the catechism:

24. Q. How does the truth of the gospel set us free with regard to sexual sin?

A. Since I died, was buried, and have been raised with Christ through his death and resurrection,

I am set free from slavery to any form of sexual sin.

Christ has broken its dominion over me, and I now live with a renewed desire
to reckon myself dead to my old way of sexual immorality, but alive to God in pursuing a sexually pure life for his glory.
— Gordon, The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality, 21.


27. Q. What does God call us to do when we fall to sexual sin?

A. When I commit any form of sexual sin— even the slightest desire or thought contrary to any of God's commandments—

I should confess my sins to him, eagerly turn away from all sexual sin, and seek to walk in the newness of life.

28. Q. Is God angry with his children who still struggle in their striving to put away sexual immorality?

A. God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness.

When we come to God with a broken and contrite heart, confessing and turning away from our sins, God promises to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

He has declared,
"a bruised reed he will not break,
and a faintly burning wick he will not quench."
— Gordon, The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality, 22–23.

32. Q. Why is pornography so destructive?

A. Because the use of such images
ruins the sexual intimacy intended for marriage,
supports idolatry in the worship of the creature,
dehumanizes men and women promoting abuse, especially of women,
advances other forms of sexual impurity,
creates idleness in society to the harm of our neighbors, and degrades the mind into darkness.

33. Q. Can those be saved who do not turn to God from their unholy desires and are unrepentant of their sexual ways?

A. By no means.
Scripture tells us that
no sexually immoral person,
no adulterer,
no fornicator,
no homosexual,
no abuser of women,
or the like
will inherit the kingdom of God.

34. Q. What is involved in genuine repentance of all sexual sin?

A. Two things:

The dying-away of the old self, by hating all forms of sexual immorality and fleeing from it;

And the rising-to-life of the new self, by finding great joy in leading a sexually pure life and, if married, by properly loving our spouses.
— Gordon, The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality, 26–27.

[Joe Koehler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author makes clear that this volume is not to be mistaken as an "official, ecclesiastical confession," but as a tool for families to train and educate in what Scripture teaches with regard to sexuality.The language at points certainly sounds less official. That said, the catechism is really helpful at points. A little less helpful/unclear in others. It Left more to be desired on some points. But this is for sure a good step in the right direction for the Church's maintaining sound doctrine regarding God's good design in sexuality. The absence of more "official ecclesiastical statements" is somewhat curious to me.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very short, succinct set of biblical answers and ways of thinking regarding this very important topic. I found it easy to understand if you are already very familiar with the world-views being negated but I do wonder if someone less familiar would know what is being implied. However, since it is biblically sound, I think that it's useful to be familiar with even if all the nuances aren't immediately clear. This definitely needs to be supplemented with some more comprehensive works but it may be a very good reference for a quick re-grounding of yourself before a conversation with someone.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book(let) #35 in 2022
4 stars

This is a solid effort to help the church address the confusing currents of sexual thinking in our culture with biblically sound teaching (based on the form/structure of the Heidelberg Catechism).

So why the 4 stars and not 5?

It has more to do with some quibbles here and there, not the substance. I’m going to read through this several more times and hopefully return here to leave a fuller review.

[Pig Rieke · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a shame that catechisms have gone out of use. It is a much greater shame that one such as this must be written. Nevertheless, I’m thankful it has been. A simple but great resource on what the Bible teaches about human sexuality.

[Joshua Sunderland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done! I affirm the theology represented in this catechism. I wish it expanded a bit more in the section about our identity in Christ, as that is the major discussion within the PCA, but it is satisfactory.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, concise, and biblical. A book I will keep going back to as a useful reference

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic, biblical catechism that is much needed for the times we live in. A sobering reminder, inspiring charge, and important truths of the good in marriage and the badness of sin.

[Shaun MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent information for Christians seeking to honor God and addresses the struggles in the Church in regard to sexuality

[Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource. One to keep on hand for brief biblical responses and teachings on all things sexual amidst modern confusion or abuse of creation.

[John Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two small quibbles, but otherwise really useful. Clear and concise. Happy to hand this out to church members

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear and very concise. I wish I had this a few years ago when I taught theology and sexuality together. I had made my own lists of verses, this would have been a great resource! Very very good

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short and concise. Helpful catechism, particularly in light of today’s culture. I appreciate the scripture references.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super helpful little resource