Dear Reader: This report from the Committee to Articulate a Foundation-laying Biblical Theology of Human Sexuality is made available to the CRC congregations and classes for discussion and careful review. Due to the cancellation of Synod 2021, the deadline for responses to this report, in the form of an Overture or Communication, has been extended to be considered by Synod 2022. Such documents must be processed through a church council and then through classis and then be received by the Synodical Services Office by March 15, 2022, in order to be included on synod’s agenda in 2022. If you have any questions regarding proper procedures, please refer to the Rules for Synodical Procedure (pp. 9-11) available at crcna.org/SynodResources, or you may contact the Synodical Services Office or the executive director of the CRCNA. Thank you! Mr. Colin P. Watson, Sr. Executive Director of the CRCNA 1700 28th Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508-1407 Phone: 616-224-0744 or 800-272-5125 Email: [email protected] Committee to Articulate a Foundation-laying Biblical Theology of Human Sexuality Report Outline I. Introduction II. Preamble A. Good sex B. Current context C. The church’s response III. A biblical theology of human sexuality A. Introduction: Matthew 19 B. Creation: Genesis 1-2 C. Fall: Genesis 3 D. Redemption: The Old Testament E. Redemption: The New Testament IV. Note on science and general revelation V. Pornography: Cultural Context A. Current context B. Effects of pornography VI. Pornography: Scripture A. Violence B. Exploitation of the poor C. Racism D. Sexual sin E. Creation restored, relationships redeemed VII. Pornography: Pastoral care A. Pastoral care for the whole congregation B. Practical next steps C. Mission D. In conclusion E. Selected resources VIII. Gender identity: Cultural context A. Introduction B. Use of terms C. Questions of worldview D. Gender dysphoria E. Disorders of sex development F. Implications of worldview IX. Gender identity: Scripture A. Genesis 1-2 B. Matthew 19:11-12 C. Testimony of Paul X. Gender identity: Pastoral care A. What is pastoral care, and who is responsible for it? B. Goals of pastoral care AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2021 Biblical Theology of Human Sexuality 1 C. Care for those with gender dysphoria or who identify as transgender and their families—adults and children D. Care for those with Disorder of Sex Development (DSD) E. Selected resources XI. Homosexuality: Cultural context A. A word about language B. Context XII. Homosexuality: Scripture A. Introduction B. The testimony of the Old Testament C. The testimony of Jesus D. The testimony of Paul E. Additional revisionist claims F. The testimony of progressive voices G. Conclusion of the biblical evidence XIII. Homosexuality: Pastoral care A. A word to congregations B. A word to church leaders C. A word to church members who are attracted to the same sex D. Selected resources XIV. Reflections on singleness, premarital sex and cohabitation, polyamory, and divorce A. Singleness B. Premarital sex and cohabitation C. Polyamory D. Divorce E. Selected resources XV. Sexual desire: Bodies, bonding, and boundaries in the Song of Songs A. Song of Songs helps us recover a theology of the body rooted in creation and resurrection theology B. The poem addresses the intense longing we feel for a beloved when we are apart C. The song focuses on the uniqueness and value of the beloved one D. This poetry highlights equity between female and male lovers E. Exclusivity of sexual love F. In the song, God sings the intensity of God’s love for us XVI. Confessional status A. The confessional status of church teaching on sexuality B. Conclusion XVII. Recommendations Appendices Appendix A: What Can Science Tell Us about the Biological Origins of Sexual Orientation? Appendix B: Disorders of Sexual Development and Their Implications 2 Biblical Theology of Human Sexuality AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2021 I. Introduction Synod 2016, in response to multiple overtures, adopted the following: That synod appoint a new study committee to articulate a foundation-laying biblical theology of human sexuality that pays particular attention to biblical conceptions of gender and sexuality. The central aim of this theological task will be to provide concise yet clear ethical guidance for what constitutes a holy and healthy Christian sexual life, and in light of this to serve the church with pastoral, ecclesial, and missional guidance that explains how the gospel pro- vides redemptive affirmation and hope for those experiencing sexual question- ing, temptation, and sin. a. In addition to these broad outlines, the study will include the following three components: 1) Discussion outlining how a Reformed hermeneutic does or does not comport with readings of Scripture being employed to endorse what are, for the historic church, ground-breaking conclusions regarding human sexual behavior and identification. 2) Dialogue with, and potential critique of, untraditional conclusions aris- ing from arguments about a new movement of the Spirit (e.g., Acts 15), as well as conclusions arising from scientific and social scientific studies. 3) Reflection and evaluation of whether or not, with respect to same-sex behavior and other issues identified in the study, it will be advisable for future synods to consider – changing the main text of Church Order Article 69 (see Overtures 18, 19, 20, 21, 31, 38). – declaring a status confessionis (see Overture 16). – appointing a team of individuals to draft a statement of faith, perhaps in the style of the Contemporary Testimony, on human embodiment and sexuality that reflects and secures the teachings and conclusions of the report (see Overture 28). (Acts of Synod 2016, pp. 919-20) b. The committee will be constituted of up to twelve individuals, CRC mem- bers who represent diversity in gender, ethnicity, binationality, and ministry location, and who adhere to the CRC’s biblical view on marriage and same- sex relationships. These individuals will be gifted and suited for this task. c. That synod provide the study committee with a five-year window to complete their task, such that the committee will present their final report to Synod 2021. In consideration of this extended time frame, a written summary of the committee’s work will be provided by February 1, 2019, for inclusion in the Agenda for Synod 2019 in order for Synod 2019 to dialogue with and provide feedback to the committee. Grounds: 1) The scope of the task assigned to the committee needs more time to be completed than the typical three-year window allows. 2) The consideration of status confessionis is a weighty matter that requires extended and careful deliberation. (Acts of Synod 2016, pp. 926-27) The following people were appointed to the committee: Rev. Mary-Lee Bouma, Pastor Charles Kim, Rev. Jose Rayas, Rev. Paula Seales, Dr. Matthew Tuininga, Dr. Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen (as promotor fidei), Dr. Mary Van- den Berg, Dr. Jim Vanderwoerd, Mr. Rick Van Manen, Dr. Jeff Weima, and Dr. Al Wolters. In an effort to represent the types of diversity noted in item b of the mandate, these eleven members include persons from the following groups: an African American pastor, a Hispanic pastor, a Korean pastor, three faculty members from Calvin Theological Seminary, a same-sex attracted person, a chaplain, a philosopher, and a social scientist. AGENDA FOR SYNOD 2021 Biblical Theology of Human Sexuality 3 At its first meeting in October 2016, the committee chose Drs. Weima and Wolters as cochairs, Dr. Tuininga as reporter, and Dr. Vanderwoerd as recording secretary. Mr. Van Manen resigned from the committee in February 2018 after accepting an academic position in South Korea. After consultation with the denominational executive director, the committee decided not to replace him. In carrying out its mandate, the committee as a whole met on the follow- ing dates: October 21-22, 2016; February 3-4, June 2-3, October 20-21, 2017; February 16-17, June 15-16, October 19-20, 2018; February 1-2, June 21-22, October 25-26, 2019; January 31-February 1, 2020. With two exceptions, these meetings took place at Calvin Theological Seminary until February 2020. After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee met by Zoom on June 13, July 30, August 20, and September 11, 2020. At four of our meetings we set aside time to interact with people in spe- cialized ministries or life situations whose input we sought. On October 21, 2017, we spoke with three CRC-related members of sexual minorities, as well as with Dr. Wendy VanderWal-Gritter, executive director of Generous Space Ministries. On June 18, 2018, we spoke with two representatives of the CRC’s Chaplaincy and Care Ministry, and on October 20, 2018, with two CRC uni- versity chaplains. On May 28, 2020, we met via Zoom with a FtM (female to male) transgender person and his father. In fulfillment of item c of our mandate, we submitted an interim eportr to Synod 2019 (see Agenda for Synod 2019, pp. 403-44; Acts of Synod 2019, pp. 716-17). Three of our members (Mary-Lee Bouma, Matt Tuininga, and Jeff Weima) were present to facilitate discussions at table groups to solicit feedback. Each table group provided written feedback, which was collected and sent to our committee. In addition, we received email feedback from approximately forty-five persons. We reviewed this feedback as part of our work on the final report. Dr. Tuininga participated extensively in the committee’s work, but he withdrew from the committee before that work was complete. He affirms that the sections of the report summarizing biblical teaching on human sexuality and its confessional status are accurate. However, he believes the pastoral care sections fail to provide the church with much-needed guidance on how to discipline erring members with love and grace and incorporate them into the sacramental community of the body of Christ.