Starting the conversation: April ‘Lutheran Witness’

Chastity. It’s an old word. It was once included in the English translation of Martin Luther’s explanation to the Sixth Commandment: “We should fear and love God so that we lead a chaste and decent life.”

Chastity encompasses more than whether or not a person has “saved” himself or herself for marriage. Husbands and wives live chastely when they dwell in purity with one another. God’s people live chaste lives when they avoid crass humor, movies, books, music, websites and other things that entice them to lust after what has not been given.

The Christian community, as the Body of Christ, is a chaste community.

The April issue of The Lutheran Witness takes up the topic of chaste community. It includes articles on how to discuss this topic with your children, how to have a conversation about chastity in a hostile work environment and how to walk away from an addiction to pornography if you find yourself trapped in its grips. Also included in this issue is a guide to the Bible’s teaching about LGBTQ+ topics, and more.

“Start early — and then never stop,” writes Stephanie Neugebauer, manager of LCMS Health Ministry, in her article advising parents on talking to their children about God’s gift of sexuality. “When children are very young, talk to them about how their bodies are good gifts from God. Tell them that certain parts of their bodies are meant to be private because they have a special purpose (1 Cor. 12:22–25). Teach them that from the beginning, God created male and female for each other and for the blessing of future generations (Gen. 2:18–25).”

This issue is about conversation. As noted in the editor’s letter, it is not meant to be the entire conversation but the beginning of one.

For even more great conversations, or to find out how you can subscribe to the print magazine, visit witness.lcms.org. There you’ll find a new series on major figures in the history of the church. Furthermore, two other series — on art and literature — help you learn to interpret those things through Lutheran eyes.

Posted April 4, 2024