From Idolatry to Immorality
Writing on the state of Western civilization a little more than a decade ago, English journalist Melanie Phillips observed, “Society seems to be in the grip of a mass derangement.” There’s a “sense that the world has slipped off the axis of reason,” causing many to wonder, “How is anyone to work out who is right in such a babble of ‘experts’ and with so much conflicting information?” As I reread this book recently, I was struck by what’s missing. Phillips writes as an agnostic but observant Jew, and many of her points are profoundly helpful. Noticeably absent from her analysis, though, is any biblical recognition of how the world could’ve gone so haywire (à la Gen. 3)—in the realm of human sexuality. The subject of sexuality, as described and prescribed by Scripture, is not just difficult—to address. It is also unpopular and, in large measure, offensive. I come to it with caution and, I hope, with a measure of compassion, but also with the conviction that God’s Word and way are absolut