Question: What is a theologically faithful definition of sexual orientation? Does sexual orientation affect one's sexual identity?

Question: What is a theologically faithful definition of sexual orientation? Does sexual orientation affect one's sexual identity?

Christians must be honest enough to recognize that the modern secular understanding of sexual orientation has legitimate insights that we can appropriate in a way consistent with evangelical theology, Scripture, and the Christian tradition. Christians in general, and evangelicals in particular, must admit that we have often had a very superficial understanding of sexuality. 

We assumed for centuries that people simply chose their pattern of sexual interest. The modern secular concept of sexual orientation suggests that every single human being who has reached the age of sexual maturity is characterized by a specific pattern of sexual interest that includes sexual arousal, sexual fantasy, sexual expectation, and a hope for specific sexual fulfillment.

From the vantage point of biblical theology and orthodox pastoral counsel, the modern notion of sexual orientation helps us see how deeply situated matters of sexual interest, sexual arousal, and sexual fulfillment really are in our lives. If these matters are so embedded in our lives, we must recognize the sinful and harmful superficiality in telling those who struggle with same-sex orientation to just simply stop being attracted to someone of the same gender. 

Nevertheless, this does not mean we are allowed to resign ourselves to whatever sexual orientation and pattern of arousal we discover in ourselves. Rather, as children of God, we must submit ourselves in every respect, including our sexual identities and orientations, to God. This submission is an act of obedience that leads to human flourishing.

Sexual orientation first became a public issue because those pushing for the normalization of homosexuality argued that sexual orientation simply had to be accepted at face value as normal and natural. That, however, is simply not the case. While we should understand the legitimate insights the concept of sexual orientation offers, we should also remember that a disordered sexual orientation reveals the sinfulness of sin. 

It is important to note that sexual orientation often reflects our sinful orientation. Some are more tempted to dishonesty, others to temptations of
pride, others to temptations of greed, and others to temptations of lust. The reality of a sinful orientation does not reduce or nullify the distorted nature of that orientation-not in the slightest.