It's Greek to Me! -- Unmasking the Roots of Sexual Taboo in Christianity, part 1 [176]

Send us Fan MailMatt and Jenn explore how ancient Greek philosophy has shaped modern Christian attitudes toward sexuality, creating an unbiblical culture of shame and stigma around sexual desire.• Plato's dualism in the 4th century BC separated body and soul, viewing bodily desires as inferior to spiritual pursuits• Stoicism further emphasized suppression of passions, teaching that sex was only acceptable within marriage and solely for procreation• The Apostle Paul directly confronted these philosophies, calling those who forbid marriage and require abstinence "liars" devoted to "deceitful spirits"• Paul teaches in 1 Timothy 4 that everything created by God is good and should be received with thanksgiving• The biblical solution to misdirected desire isn't suppression but redirection toward what truly fulfills• Proverbs 5 instructs husbands to "be intoxicated" by their wives' love—language of abundance, not restraint• Sexual desire isn't worldly or dangerous but God-designed to teach us about our need for connection• Modern Christians must examine where their beliefs about sexuality come from—Scripture or Greek philosophyJoin us for our annual retreat, September 18-20th, focusing on ONEness in marriage. Register at intimatecovenent.com/retreat.Please support these companies that support Intimate Covenant:Married Dance — https://marrieddance.com/?aff=29 Shop from this link for special savings and part of your purchase will support Intimate Covenant.  Coconu — http://www.coconu.com  Your purchase helps support Intimate Covenant AND you get 15% OFF. Coupon Code: intimateconvenantDating Divas — https://thedatingdivas.myshopify.com?sca_ref=6278443.H6eWDeXGfx Shop from this link and your part of your purchase will help support Intimate Covenant. Check out their Sexy Subscription Boxes!Honoring Intimates — https://www.honoringintimates.com/?ref=INTIMATECOVENANT Get 20% off and support Intimate Covenant with your purchase.Ginger & Peach — https://www.gingerandpeachlingerie.com/ Get 10% off your order and support Intimate Covenant with code: “INTIMATECOVENANT"  To send your comments, questions and suggestions, go to our website: www.intimatecovenant.com/podcast and click on the button: “Contact the Podcast” for an ANONYMOUS submission form. Or, send an email: [email protected]   Thanks for sharing, rating, reviewing and subscribing!    Cherishing,  Matt & JennPS — If you have been blessed by the message of this podcast, we would deeply appreciate your support by donating to our mission of spreading God’s plan for intimate marriage and holy sexuality.Join us at Patreon: www.patreon.com/intimatecovenant www.intimatecovenant.com Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn SchmidtSupport the show