Ask Me Anything: “Not Good”
Join us as we address some hot-button topics in the Church through questions submitted by our own members.
Scripture: Genesis 2:18-25
This is Part 3 in our ongoing series addressing the submitted question, “What is your perspective on the LGBTQ+ community and how can we love them?” For additional context and other helpful notes on this subject please refer back to Parts 1 and 2.
As we dive deeper into issues surrounding the LGBTQ+ conversation, it’s important for us to establish some fundamental reference points. Rather than approaching this from a position of what the Bible says not to do, we think it’s best to begin by understanding what God’s original design is for sex and intimacy.
Let’s take a look at Genesis 2:18-25, which provides us with three fundamental truths for the Christian faith.
The “not good” problem
Genesis reveals the surprising truth that even in the midst of a paradise created by a perfect God, it’s possible for something to be considered “not good.” After creating the man out of dust, God recognizes that it’s “not good” for the man to remain alone. But despite all of God’s creatures surrounding him, they couldn’t find a suitable helper for the man among them.
This is profound. It shows us the fundamental truth of humanity: we were created for relationships. Through this process, God establishes the need for both diversity and unity in all relationships. It’s not enough that the surrounding creatures are different from the man — what’s equally important is that the man’s helper is both similar and different.
As we’ll see, this is fundamentally true for all people, whether they’re single or in a relationship. Left to our own devices, in an echo chamber of our own likeness, we’re bound to feel lonely. This is because God created us to be in relationship with those who are equally similar and yet different from us.
Why is sex difference important?
Why does God prioritize sex difference, and why is the woman considered "suitable" for the man? The Hebrew term Kenegdo sheds light on this. Ke means similar or alike, while Neged means opposite or against. Both pieces are vital to understanding the "one flesh" union mentioned in verse 24.
In verse 23, the man acknowledges this by stating, "Bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh," highlighting the woman's similarity to him. Immediately after, he remarks, "She shall be called Woman, for she was taken out of man," signifying her difference. The author seamlessly connects verse 23 to verse 24, emphasizing the man's statements about the woman and linking them to marriage and the “one flesh” concept.
A deeper understanding of “one flesh”
Lastly, it’s important we clarify the meaning of “one flesh.” Is God simply advocating for heterosexuality as the sole expression of a “one flesh” union? Not necessarily. Heterosexuality by itself is too broad. Is a pornography addiction or serial cheating on your spouse permissible as long as both are heterosexual acts? No — I believe God is calling his people towards something more.
In his book Holy Sexuality, Dr. Christopher Yuen describes his own journey with homosexuality and recounts how God saved him by leading him into deeper, more meaningful relationships in community. These relationships weren’t founded on his sexuality but were rooted in Christ’s love.
In this way, God’s desire for his people isn’t that they just refrain from certain forms of sexuality, but that they’d strive towards a sexuality that better reflects the Creator; that they’d be holy as he is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).
Simply put, whether single or called to marriage, God's ultimate purpose is to address the "not good" issue of loneliness by building relationships rooted in a God who embodies both like-minded community and diversity. We’re created in his image, reflecting the Trinitarian communion between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—unity in diversity.
By embracing our gender differences, we can become better reflections of our Creator and honor Him through our relationships and expressions of love.
Study Questions:
How does the concept of "not good" apply to our lives today, and what can we learn from it?
In what ways do we see the need for both diversity and unity in our own relationships?
Why do you think God prioritizes sex difference, and how does this concept challenge certain cultural perspectives?
How can we strive towards a sexuality that better reflects the Creator's intentions for our relationships, as mentioned in 1 Peter 1:15-16?
How does this passage challenge your view of intimate relationships?
