How Sex Unlocks the Meaning of the Universe | Joshua Butler
Jul 18, 2023
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Joshua Butler, author of Beautiful Union, explores the symbolism of sex in creation and its connection to the meaning of the universe. They discuss how sex serves as a gateway to a deeper reality, the significance of unity and diversity in creation, and the metaphorical connection between the union of a husband and wife and Christ and the Church. They also delve into the theology of the body and bridal mysticism, addressing concerns around sex and God's love, and emphasizing healing and restoration through the family and church community.
Sex symbolizes the union of opposites and holds deep mysteries of creation and its Creator.
The gospel aims to bring diversity into union with God, as represented by the wedding imagery in Revelation.
Sex is a sacred act that reveals the beauty and significance of God's plan for creation and reflects the unity and diversity of the Triune nature of God.
Deep dives
Sex as an Iconic Symbol
Sex is seen as an iconic symbol that represents creation, salvation, and God's love for his people. It is a sign that points to the structure of creation, the nature of salvation, the abundance of the kingdom, and the identity of God. In the act of love, sex represents the mystical image of the union between God and man, where forces older and less personal than us work through us, and all aspects of masculinity and femininity are momentarily focused.
Diversity in Union
The theme of diversity in union is prevalent in the gospel and the biblical narrative. It is essential to understand that diversity and union are held together in love, which originates from the triune God. The end goal of the gospel is to reconcile and bring diversity into union with God. This concept is reflected in the wedding imagery found in Revelation, representing the union of heaven and earth, night and day, and weak and strong. The Church itself embodies diversity in union, with members from different nations and backgrounds, united by the Holy Spirit.
Sex as an Invitation to the Greater Reality
Sex is not the ultimate purpose, but a signpost pointing to something greater. It is a metaphor that reveals the love of God for his people and the mysterious union of the persons in the Trinity. The ultimate reality is union with God, and sex serves as an invitation to that reality. The iconic vision of sex frees us from placing the weight of fulfillment on the sign itself, as we can have the reality without the specific physical act. Approaching sex and marriage with reverence and understanding its symbolism helps us grasp the purpose of creation and our union with Christ.
The Significance of Sex as an Icon of Creation
Sex is seen as a powerful symbol that carries an intuitive sense of importance. Drawing from biblical stories, the author argues that sex is a reflection of God's desire for covenant and union with humanity. Sex is not just about rule-keeping or personal desires, but an arena to reflect the image of God, particularly in the context of faithfulness and love. Sex is viewed as a sacred and significant act that can reveal the beauty and significance of God's plan for creation.
Sex as an Icon of the Trinity and God's Love
The podcast discusses how the family unit and sexual union within it exemplify the Triune nature of God. The family's unity of substance and the distinct persons bound together in love mirrors the unity and diversity of God in the Trinity. The act of love within the marital embrace is seen as an opportunity to reflect the profound love between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The podcast also explores how various sexual practices that deviate from this iconic vision, such as divorce, same-sex sexual activity, adultery, premarital sex, and pornography, can distort or diminish the original beauty and significance intended in God's design for sex.
Creation is bursting with Divine symbolism, especially where opposites unite—and nowhere do we find a more profound, sacred, or fruitful symbolism than in sex. Shane welcomes Joshua Butler, author of Beautiful Union, to explore how God’s vision for the one flesh relationship displays deep mysteries about creation and its Creator.
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