Human Sexuality in a Sexually Polymorphous World

Abstract

There is no question about the fact that human sexuality in our world today manifests an incredibly broad spectrum of values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Our own nation is host to hundreds of different ethnic and cultural groups, each with its own views and practices of sexuality. In the world at large, almost 200 different nations have an array of cultures within them as well (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2002). Such incredible diversity gives clear evidence of the polymorphism of human sexuality (Satinover, 1996). Historically, traditional cultures had maintained fairly strict control over the ways in which human sexuality was viewed and practiced. With the intrusion of those from other cultures into the narrow confines of host cultures, such cultural distinctions have been diluted or, in the minds of those accountable for maintaining the status quo, violated and contaminated. The latter view was held by the Taliban in Afghanistan, which resulted in harsh subjugation and treatment of women (Daniszewski, 2002). The fact is, while various traditional cultures continue to hold fast to their historic sexual views and practices, there is a significant increase in sexual polymorphism being manifested in essentially all cultures exposed to the outside world. Rathus et al. (2002) note that the worldwide AIDS epidemic has been one significant contribution to the current heightened interest in understanding sexuality. Yet, for Christians in the West, significant departure from a Biblical approach to sexuality is a more valid re ason for interest in and concern about human sexuality because this is typically seen as the cause behind such tragedies as the prevalence of AIDS, the millions of abortions carried out each year, and other significant social problems. It is our belief that only a sound integration of Biblical perspectives and the latest understanding of biological, psychological, and social data can result in both an adequately informed Christian community and adequately prepared professionals who minister to this community via their respective roles. To that end, we offer a special issue of the Journal of Psychology and Theology in two parts, each focusing on a limited number of concerns that we perceive as helpful in the current cultural context in which we live and work. We begin Part I with the work of Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen entitled Of Hoggamus and Hogwash: Psychology and Gender Relations. We see Van Leeuwen's work as a fitting lead for this issue, which follows the previous special issues, devoted to a consideration of evolutionary psychology, edited by Christopher Grace. In this piece, Van Leeuwen reflects upon the degree to which evolutionary psychology can provide a valid perspective on the critical matter of gender identity and the relationship between the sexes. She begins with a helpful overview of what evolutionary psychology is and what it is not, including a brief critique of the field as to whether or not it can be considered a true science. She then considers the specific variables of sexual selection and rape as a reproductive strategy in her examination of what evolutionary psychology cannot do in defining what is vital to understand about the nature of human sexuality, which was designed and created by God with the intention that it be lived out in a safe, productive, and satisfying manner. We have followed Van Leeuwen's article with two responses, one from a physiological psychologist, Sherwood 0. Cole, and the other from a theologian, Robert L. Saucy. In the first response, entitled Evolutionary Psychology, Sexual Ethics, and our Embodied Nature, Cole affirms Van Leeuwen's perspective. In addition, he challenges us not to underestimate the significance of our bodies, created by God as part of our essential nature, and figuring significantly into our sexual identity and functioning. …