Reading: Sexual Empowerment Theory

Sexual Empowerment Theory – A Ministry Sciences Approach

By Henry Reyenga

The concept of Sexual Empowerment (SEM) theory emerges as a pivotal framework in the discourse of sexual identity, orientation, and response, juxtaposed against modernist and post-modernist perspectives on human sexuality. This paper explores SEM theory, advocating for a divinely inspired design of sexuality as articulated within the Biblical narrative. It contrasts SEM with the Determined Sexual Journey (modernist) and the Undetermined Sexual Journey (post-modernist), each holding distinct ontological assumptions about the nature of sexual identity and its determinants. This analysis seeks to underscore the implications of SEM in fostering a responsible, healthful, and spiritually coherent approach to sexual self-awareness and identity.

Introduction

Sexual empowerment, as defined by SEM theory, posits that sexuality is a divine gift, intended to reflect a higher design that promotes population growth, pleasure, health, and self-care. This paper delineates the foundational premises of SEM and examines how it integrates the Biblical narrative to offer a comprehensive understanding of human sexuality, contrasting sharply with the secular frameworks provided by modernist and post-modernist theories.

Theoretical Background

1. Sexual Empowerment Theory (SEM)
• Divine Design: SEM theory holds that humans are created with inherently sexual bodies designed to fulfill divine purposes, encompassing both procreation and personal fulfillment, whether in singleness or marriage.
• Biblical Integration: SEM calls for an integration of Biblical insights, viewing sexual decisions and identities through the lens of spiritual and biological creation narratives, particularly focusing on the stories of Adam and Eve.
2. Determined Sexual Journey (Modernist Perspective)
• Biological Determinism: This view posits that human sexual identity and responses are primarily the results of evolutionary biology, with certain universal truths but acknowledging biological deviations.
• Rejection of Divine Reference: Modernism dismisses spiritual narratives in understanding sexual design, focusing instead on empirical and biological frameworks.
3. Undetermined Sexual Journey (Post-Modernist Perspective)
• Narrative Construction: Emphasizes the fluid and constructed nature of sexual identity, where personal narratives and desires shape one’s sexual reality independent of biological imperatives.
• Deconstruction of Gender: Post-modernism, especially in queer theory, critiques and deconstructs traditional gender norms, arguing these were established by dominant socio-political forces.

Comparative Analysis

This comparative analysis serves to clarify how each theory conceptualizes sexual identity, and it highlights how SEM integrates elements of divine design and personal agency in a distinctive manner. Let's delve into this comparison in more detail:

Comparison of Theoretical Assumptions: Each theory’s assumptions about the origins and nature of sexual identity are explored, highlighting SEM’s unique position in valuing both divine intent and personal agency.

Theoretical Assumptions on the Origins of Sexual Identity

Sexual Empowerment Theory (SEM)

SEM theory starts from the premise that sexual identity is not just a biological or psychological trait but is inherently linked to a divine design. 

• Divine Design and Intentionality: SEM posits that sexual identity and orientation are not arbitrary but are inherent aspects of God's creation. This perspective asserts that God intentionally created humans with sexual identities that are meant to fulfill both personal, relational and procreative purposes within a marriage-oriented male/female imaginative orientation.
• Personal Agency: Unlike deterministic views that reduce human behavior to biological impulses or social constructs, SEM emphasizes personal agency within the framework of this divine design. This suggests that individuals have the freedom to make choices about their sexual identity and behaviors. In other words, individuals are empowered to make choices regarding their sexual identity, the cultivation of their sexual imaginations, and the sexual practices that journey the framework of this divine blueprint.

Determined Sexual Journey (Modernist)

The modernist approach to sexual identity often revolves around the concept of biological determinism without reference to divine design which cannot be proved by its own scientific methods.

• Biological Determinism: This approach is grounded in the belief that sexual identities and orientations are primarily the result of genetic, hormonal, and evolutionary factors. It posits that these elements are largely predetermined and that human sexuality can be understood through the study of biological sciences.
• Empirical Emphasis: Modernists often disregard spiritual or divine explanations for sexual identity, focusing instead on scientifically observable and measurable phenomena.

Undetermined Sexual Journey (Post-Modernist)

In the post-modernist framework, there are not absolutes other than there are not absolutes. 

• Social Constructionism: From this viewpoint, sexual identity is seen as highly fluid and constructed through social interactions and cultural norms rather than being rooted in biology or a divine plan.
• Narrative Fluidity: Advocates of this theory emphasize the power of personal narrative and the individual's right to define and redefine their sexual identity over time, without the constraints of biological determinism or divine design.

2. Nature of Sexual Identity

Sexual Empowerment Theory (SEM)

• Balanced Perspective: SEM advocates for a view of sexual identity that respects both the biological aspects of being created male or female and the personal experiences that influence individual sexual development.
• Moral and Spiritual Dimensions: It also considers the moral and spiritual dimensions of sexual identity, encouraging individuals to explore and align their sexual lives with their spiritual beliefs.

Determined Sexual Journey (Modernist)

• Fixed Traits: In the modernist perspective, sexual characteristics and orientations are seen as traits that are largely fixed and categorizable. This view supports the idea of universal sexual norms based on biological factors.

Undetermined Sexual Journey (Post-Modernist)

• Rejects Fixed Categories: Post-modernists challenge the existence of universal or fixed sexual identities. They argue for a spectrum of identities that are ever-changing and dependent on individual choice and cultural context.

3. Unique Position of SEM

The analysis highlights SEM's unique position in valuing divine intent—that there is a purposeful design in how humans are created sexually—while also respecting the agency of individuals to navigate their sexuality within this framework. This dual emphasis on divine design and personal choice sets SEM apart from the solely biological determinism of modernist views and the radical fluidity of post-modernist perspectives. By integrating spiritual understanding with personal experience, SEM offers a comprehensive approach that respects both inherited traits and individual narratives in the exploration of sexual identity.

Ethical Assumptions on Sexual Identity

Ethical Implications: The ethical implications of SEM are discussed, particularly how it frames sexual identity as part of a broader moral and spiritual journey, contrasting with the existential and often relativistic approaches of modernist and post-modernist theories.

Ethical Implications of Sexual Empowerment Theory (SEM)

Framing Sexual Identity in SEM

Integration of Morality and Spirituality: In SEM, sexual identity is not merely a biological or social construct but an integral part of an individual's moral and spiritual journey. This framing posits that decisions about sexual conduct and identity should be informed by ethical considerations that transcend personal preference or societal norms. The ethical framework in SEM is deeply rooted in a theological perspective, which views human behaviors, including sexual behaviors, as elements that have implications for both personal integrity and relational dynamics within a community.

Divine Design and Moral Order: SEM suggests that there exists a divine blueprint for human sexuality, which is intended to guide individuals towards fulfillment and ethical living. The notion of a divine design introduces a normative dimension to sexual ethics, where certain such as abstinence, holy masturbation, and hot monogamous married living, aligned or misaligned with this design. This alignment is not just about following a set of rules but about achieving a deeper harmony with the creator's intentions for human flourishing.

Contrast with Modernist and Post-Modernist Approaches

Existential and Relativistic Approaches:

Modernist Theories: These generally emphasize empirical science and often adopt a utilitarian approach to ethics, where the outcomes of actions determine their moral value. In terms of sexual ethics, this might translate into focusing on consent and harm reduction as the primary ethical considerations, without a broader metaphysical or moral framework.

Post-Modernist Theories: In post-modernist thinking, morality is frequently seen as subjective and constructed by societal narratives. Ethical relativism prevails, suggesting that what is considered right or wrong can vary dramatically between different cultures and personal perspectives. In sexual ethics, this can lead to a focus on personal expression and identity validation as the highest goods, often without a unifying moral foundation.

Ethical Implications of SEM

Accountability to a Higher Standard: SEM holds individuals accountable to a standard that is believed to be set by a divine authority. This accountability introduces a dimension of ethical responsibility that extends beyond individual or societal approval. It encourages individuals to consider their actions in the context of a spiritual relationship and a community’s well-being, providing a stable reference point that remains constant despite changing social norms.

Holistic Well-being: SEM promotes a view of sexuality that considers the whole person, including their physical, emotional, spiritual, and social dimensions. This holistic approach suggests that true empowerment in sexual identity and behavior comes from alignment with divine design, which is posited to lead to greater personal peace, relational harmony, and communal health.

Guidance for Complex Issues: In addressing complex sexual ethical issues such as gender identity, orientation, and sexual behavior, SEM provides guidance that includes compassion, understanding, and a call to reflect deeply on one’s life choices in relation to a divine plan. It advocates for an approach that is both respectful of personal experiences and mindful of larger existential questions about purpose and meaning.

In summary, the ethical implications of SEM contrast sharply with the existential flexibility of modernist and post-modernist approaches by proposing a structured, divinely influenced framework for understanding and navigating sexual identity. This framework emphasizes ethical consistency, spiritual alignment, and the pursuit of holistic well-being, aiming to guide individuals in a moral and spiritually aware exploration of their sexuality

Narrative Case Study and Biblical Insights

Narrative Analysis: Examination of key Biblical narratives that SEM theory uses to guide understandings of sexual empowerment, such as the creation story and the fall in Eden.

Narrative Analysis in Sexual Empowerment Theory (SEM)

The SEM theory utilizes key Biblical narratives to frame its understanding of human sexuality and to guide its ethical teachings. Two central narratives often emphasized are the Creation story and the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden. These stories are foundational not only in their theological significance but also in how they shape the SEM perspective on sexual identity and behavior.

The Creation Story (Genesis 1-2)

Divine Design and Purpose: In the creation narrative, God creates the world and everything in it, culminating with the creation of humans, Adam and Eve, made in God's own image. This aspect of the narrative emphasizes that humans are uniquely designed with intentionality and purpose. For SEM, this purpose includes the relational and sexual roles that men and women are meant to fulfill.

Divine Design and Purpose: The creation narrative details how God meticulously formed the world and everything within it, culminating with the creation of humans—Adam and Eve—made in God's own image. 

Male and Female Created: The narrative’s specific mention of the creation of man and woman as distinct yet complementary entities reinforces a core tenet of SEM—that sexual identity and biological sex are not arbitrary but are intentionally designed and inherently positive. It suggests that these roles transcend mere biological or cultural constructs, being rooted instead in a divine blueprint.

Blessing of Procreation and Unity: The directive to "be fruitful and multiply," combined with the establishment of marriage between Adam and Eve, emphasizes the significance of sexual relations within God’s plan. This frames sexuality as a vehicle for procreation, relational intimacy, and mutual support—all of which are viewed as essential components of human fulfillment and societal stability.

Organic Male and Organic Female: The creation of Adam as a man was inherently good. As a single entity before the creation of Eve, Adam's existence was meaningful and fulfilling. Distinctly, the creation of Eve as a woman was also inherently good and further enriched the world. The individual creation of man and woman does not diminish their worth; rather, these differences—beyond the obvious capacity for childbearing—help to shape and define culture itself. The divine design of male and female thus influences the cultural legacy that has been handed down and continues to shape the culture we create today.

The Fall in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3)

Introduction of Sin and Its Consequences: The story of the Fall, where Adam and Eve disobey God by eating from the forbidden tree, introduces the concept of sin, which disrupts the original divine order. This narrative is crucial in SEM for understanding the complexities and struggles within human sexuality.

• Disruption of Divine Order: The Fall reflects a departure from the divine design, leading to immediate consequences such as shame, fear, and blame between Adam and Eve. These emotions reveal the now-complicated nature of human relationships and sexuality, where trust and innocence are replaced by conflict and concealment.
• Impact on Sexual Identity and Relations: SEM uses this story to explain various sexual struggles and conflicts as manifestations of a broader spiritual and moral disruption. It suggests that many contemporary issues related to sexual identity and behavior can be viewed as extensions of this initial disobedience and the ensuing human propensity to deviate from divine intentions.

• Practical Implications: Discussion on how SEM theory can be applied in educational, therapeutic, and pastoral contexts to guide individuals in their sexual empowerment journeys.

Ethical and Theological Implications

1. Restoration of Divine Design: SEM holds that through spiritual growth and adherence to Biblical principles, individuals can approach the original intent of their sexuality. This involves not only abstinence from sexual immorality but also an affirmation of sexual behaviors that align with God’s design, such as fidelity within marriage.
2. Navigating Contemporary Issues: SEM uses these narratives to navigate contemporary sexual issues by providing a framework that looks back to what is seen as an ideal beginning. For instance, debates on gender roles, sexual orientation, and marital structures are examined through the lens of creation and fall, seeking solutions that strive to restore the perceived original harmony and purpose.
3. Guidance and Compassion: While firmly rooted in its interpretation of these narratives, SEM also encourages a compassionate approach towards those who struggle with or question their sexual identity within its framework. It promotes pastoral care and counseling that help individuals explore their sexuality in light of these stories, aiming for healing and wholeness.

Conclusion

The Sexual Empowerment theory provides a comprehensive framework that incorporates a divine blueprint for human sexuality, offering a counter-narrative to purely biological or socially constructed theories. It invites individuals to explore their sexuality within the context of a spiritual design, promoting a holistic integration of identity, ethics, and personal fulfillment.