Puritan Perspectives on Marriage and Sexuality

In today's exploration of the Puritans' views on sex and marriage, we delved into the often misunderstood and misrepresented beliefs of these historical figures. Contrary to popular belief, the Puritans did not despise pleasure or view sex as inherently sinful. Instead, they held a nuanced understanding that placed sexual pleasure within the context of marriage, emphasizing its role in companionship, procreation, and protection against immorality. The Puritans believed that all pleasures, including sexual ones, should be subordinate to the ultimate pleasure found in God. They saw marriage as a divine institution meant to reflect God's love and glory, and they encouraged spouses to delight in each other as a means of honoring God.

The Puritans' teachings remind us that sex is a gift from God, intended to be enjoyed within the boundaries of marriage. They were clear that sexual sins could be repented of and forgiven through Christ, offering hope and redemption to those who have strayed. Their emphasis on the importance of mutual delight and benevolence between spouses highlights the significance of love and affection in marriage. Moreover, the Puritans viewed sex as a preview of the everlasting love we will experience with God, urging us to live in anticipation of that eternal union.

In a world where sexual morality is often distorted, the Puritans provide a countercultural perspective that calls us to align our desires with God's design. They challenge us to view sex not as an end in itself but as a means to glorify God and strengthen our marriages. By understanding and embracing the Puritans' teachings, we can cultivate healthier, more fulfilling relationships that reflect God's love and purpose.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Sexual Pleasure in Context: The Puritans taught that sexual pleasure is a gift from God, meant to be enjoyed within the confines of marriage. They emphasized that all pleasures should be subordinate to the ultimate pleasure found in God, reminding us that our desires should align with His design. [21:42]
• 2. Repentance and Forgiveness: The Puritans were clear that sexual sins could be repented of and forgiven through Christ. They offered practical advice for overcoming lust and emphasized the importance of accountability and humility in the process of repentance. [29:21]
• 3. Mutual Delight in Marriage: The Puritans encouraged spouses to delight in each other, viewing mutual affection and benevolence as essential components of a healthy marriage. This emphasis on love and companionship highlights the significance of nurturing a deep, affectionate bond with one's spouse. [33:13]
• 4. Sex as a Preview of Eternal Love: The Puritans saw sex as a foretaste of the everlasting love we will experience with God. They urged believers to live in anticipation of that eternal union, allowing the promise of future glory to shape their present relationships. [41:36]
• 5. Glorifying God through Marriage: The Puritans believed that marriage and sexual intimacy should ultimately glorify God. They challenged us to view our relationships as opportunities to reflect God's love and to use our marriages as a means of evangelism, demonstrating the beauty of God's design to the world. [39:29]
  ** [39:29]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:15] - Introduction to Puritans and Misconceptions
• [01:48] - Historical Views on Pleasure and Sex
• [03:18] - Erosion of Christian Sexual Morality
• [04:42] - Protestant Reformation's Impact
• [06:20] - Luther's Positive View on Marriage
• [07:29] - Puritan Views on Marriage and Simplicity
• [09:19] - Love and Marriage in Puritan Thought
• [11:02] - Affectionate Language in Puritan Writings
• [13:40] - Puritan Realism about Death and Love
• [15:03] - Encouragement of Marital Relations
• [17:14] - Puritan Warnings on Flesh Pleasing
• [19:48] - The Ultimate End of Flesh Pleasing
• [23:14] - Qualifications for Lawful Pleasures
• [25:28] - Purpose of Marriage in Puritan Thought
• [27:53] - Lessons on Sex and Marriage
• [32:41] - Sex for Spouses and God's Glory
• [41:36] - Sex as a Preview of Everlasting Love
• [45:14] - The Promise of Seeing God
• [47:03] - Closing Prayer

1. 1 Corinthians 7:2 - "But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband."
2. Genesis 2:18 - "The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'"
3. Hebrews 13:4 - "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral."

1. According to the sermon, how did the Puritans view sexual pleasure within marriage? [21:42]
2. What were some of the misconceptions about the Puritans' views on sex and marriage mentioned in the sermon? [00:15]
3. How did the Puritans' understanding of marriage differ from the Roman Catholic Church's views during the Reformation? [04:54]
4. What role did the Puritans believe marriage played in reflecting God's love and glory? [39:29]

1. How does the Puritan view of sexual pleasure as subordinate to the pleasure found in God challenge modern cultural perspectives on sex? [21:42]
2. In what ways did the Puritans emphasize the importance of mutual delight and benevolence between spouses, and how does this compare to contemporary views on marriage? [33:13]
3. How might the Puritans' belief that sex is a preview of the everlasting love we will experience with God influence a Christian's approach to marriage and intimacy? [41:36]
4. What practical advice did the Puritans offer for overcoming sexual sin, and how might these suggestions be applied today? [29:21]

1. Reflect on your own views of sexual pleasure within marriage. How do they align or differ from the Puritan perspective that all pleasures should be subordinate to the ultimate pleasure found in God? [21:42]
2. Consider a time when you have struggled with sexual sin. How can the Puritan emphasis on repentance and forgiveness through Christ offer hope and guidance in your journey? [29:21]
3. In what ways can you and your spouse cultivate mutual delight and benevolence in your marriage, as encouraged by the Puritans? What specific actions can you take this week to nurture this bond? [33:13]
4. How can the idea of sex as a preview of eternal love with God shape your current relationships and your anticipation of future glory? [41:36]
5. The Puritans viewed marriage as an opportunity to glorify God and demonstrate His design to the world. How can you use your marriage as a means of evangelism in your community? [39:29]
6. Identify one area in your life where your desires may not align with God's design. What steps can you take to realign your desires with His will? [21:42]
7. How can you incorporate the Puritan teachings on sex and marriage into your daily life to cultivate a healthier, more fulfilling relationship that reflects God's love and purpose? [39:29]