Oakmont has a positive history of offering Bible study surrounded by healthy and holy conversations on important issues during special Sunday and Wednesday evening small and large groups, and our annual adult Vacation Bible School. We have discussed world religions and sectarian groups, most recently looking at Islam with Dr. George Braswell from Campbell Divinity School. We have examined the Jewish roots of our Christian faith. We have addressed the issue of immigration from a biblical perspective. Last spring we explored death, dying, grief, funeral planning, and palliative and hospice care. We used the VBS week last summer to hear first-hand from many Oakmont and other community leaders about alcohol and drug addiction, money and debt, mental illness, and racism in our world.

Now we will offer a Bible study and discussion beginning Wednesday, March 2 entitled “The Bible, Marriage, and Sexuality: A Holy Conversation.” The 10-week schedule is included in this edition of our newsletter. We assembled a small team of our deacons to develop the topics we will address through a biblical framework. We are grateful for those persons with particular expertise in these areas who will help us study and think about these important issues. The content will include premarital sex and cohabitation, marriage and divorce, homosexuality and same sex-marriage, and issues surrounding human trafficking, prostitution, and pornography.

There are several things I want you to know in advance of this study and conversation. Many of the study sessions will carry a “R” rating. If some of the Old Testament scripture in particular were made into a movie, it would carry that rating with additional words that state “viewer discretion advised.” Many of these Old Testament passages are sexually graphic in nature as they reflect the realities of human existence in their times. Be prepared to blush! 

The Bible, especially the model of Jesus, provides us ample material on how to have these holy conversations with each other on important topics that are enveloped in prayer, soaked in scripture, and laced with love, grace, and listening hearts. I hope you will bring all of those important tools as we share in this biblical study and holy conversation together beginning on March 2.

Your Pastor,

Greg Rogers