Introduction: Sexual Desires in the Bible
In the intricate labyrinth of anthropological exploration, we encounter the eminent figure of Marvin Harris, a distinguished anthropologist who, in the annals of 1989, unveiled a work bearing the enigmatic title, “Our Kind.” Within this title’s mysterious veil, three profound inquiries reside: “Who are we?” “Where did we come from?” “Where are we going?” These questions, though ostensibly philosophical, serve as signposts to an ecological odyssey through the story of humanity.
The Our Kind: Appetite, Sexuality, and Power
Within the pages of “Our Kind,” Harris masterfully dissects the bedrock of human existence: our elemental needs. Among these needs, three stand tall – appetite, sexuality, and power illuminated through the unique prism of this author’s perspective.
Amidst the chapter that delves into the labyrinthine realm of human sexuality, the juxtaposition with appetite emerges as particularly riveting.
In the tug-of-war of urges and desires, it’s elucidated that the libido often reigns supreme over appetite. When hunger reaches a crescendo of desperation, appetite commandeers the stage, subjugating even the potent libido.
An Intriguing Paradox
However, an intriguing paradox emerges – in protracted abstinence from sexual fulfillment, the libido, akin to an insurmountable tidal wave, can overpower even the most primal cravings for sustenance.
Yet, in the equilibrium of moderate satiation, where both appetite and libido find a harmonious coexistence, it is the libido that emerges as the unrivaled champion. It is willing to traverse the darkest alleys of human endeavor, to engage in acts as extreme as battle, pillage, and the willing abandonment of property, health, and existence itself, all in the relentless pursuit of carnal desires.
The allure of sexual pleasure is akin to a siren’s call, an alluring addiction akin to the grip of psychoactive substances. When stimulated, the body conjures its own euphoria-inducing elixirs, a secret orchestra of pleasure.
The ecological mechanics of sexual pleasure, a closely guarded enigma in the annals of scientific inquiry, remain concealed, shrouded in the veils of nature’s reticence.
However, glimpses into this profound nature are witnessed through studies involving our animal counterparts.
Revelations of pleasure
Revelations of pleasure center in the labyrinthine architecture of the brain surface, with astonishing tales of rats and cats traversing extraordinary lengths to receive electrical stimuli, akin to an electrifying symphony, in these centers.
A testament to the allure of these neural delights, dogs, and cats, when presented with a choice between a button that dispensed nourishment and another that summoned a symphony of pleasure-inducing currents, forsake sustenance to dance to the rhythm of pleasure until their ultimate demise.
Yet, it is the human condition that we scrutinize, and the indomitable nature of our pursuit of sexual pleasure remains a perplexing epic. While we claim distinction from our animal counterparts, the mirage of control over these desires remains elusive, evading our grasp with a maddening persistence.
The Apostle Paul’s Confession
Significantly, in the midst of this intricate tapestry, Marvin Harris invokes Romans 7:23, a biblical passage that transcends millennia.
but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.
Romans 7:23, NIV
This confession from the Apostle Paul is thoughtfully interpreted by Harris as a harbinger of sexual conflict, a resounding theme that reverberates across time and space.
In theological circles, the debate surrounding Romans 7 has raged on, with the crux of the discourse hinging on whether the Apostle Paul narrates a pre-conversion or post-conversion conflict.
For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
Romans 7: 18, NIV
The Celestial Conflict
This celestial conflict, while enigmatic, resonates as a poignant illustration of the ceaseless struggle that humanity wages in the intricate pit of libido.
The confluence of biological and spiritual dimensions in our quest for balance renders this tale both complex and profoundly enigmatic.
In the journey through the annals of Marvin Harris’s insights, we unearth the profound mysteries and enigmatic paradoxes that define our existence, from the raging appetite for sustenance to the insatiable demands of the libido.
Amidst these intricate labyrinths, the quest for balance remains an eternal riddle, profoundly complex yet tantalizingly enigmatic.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus delivers a striking message on sexual conflict, challenging conventional notions. He states,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right-hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Matthew 5:27~30
These words cut through the veneer of holiness, revealing the hypocrisy of those who feign piety while nursing impure thoughts. Jesus’s message, in essence, implicates every human being, for who among us can claim exemption from these words?
Conclusion: Christians’ Sexual Urge
Why did Jesus, with a profound understanding of human frailty, issue such a stern pronouncement? Perhaps it was to lead us, in the light of this declaration, to confront our innermost desires, akin to the experience described by St. Paul. He might have intended for us to acknowledge our dependence on deliverance from the abyss of lust, much like Paul’s own lament. The Bible’s gospel resounds with the assurance that Jesus never turns away from those who earnestly cry out for salvation.”
