In a recently published article (Is God Necessary for Recovery?) I shared about a friend who is in long-term recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism, and credits God’s intervention and grace manifest through the 12-step programs of Alcoholics Anonymous and Celebrate Recovery. To hear his substance use story is to hear classic threads of addiction common to most any addict and alcoholic. In describing his recovery over decades, he speaks to the disease model along with all the attendant 12-step recovery dynamics secured through the mutual aid fellowships.
He also speaks of a ‘sexual integrity’ issue, not in terms of addiction, but instead in terms of moral failing and a lack of Christian obedience. As with his substance use story, his sexual acting out is classic addiction, following the same eroding pattern of obsessive cravings leading to tolerance, desensitization and the eventual loss of agency. However, instead of describing a process of recovery similar to his substance addiction, he speaks of confession, repentance, and surrender, through submission and obedience to Christ.
I’ve long thought this interesting through the lens of my own addiction and recovery, as well as my walk as a long-standing, actively-engaged Christian. Why is one a medical ‘bio-psycho-social’ concern, while the other, clearly an addiction like any other substance-use or behavioral addiction, is considered a moral ‘sin’ in the eyes of the church?
Click HERE or click the graphic below to read my latest article on Medical or Moral: Rethinking Sex Addiction in the Church.
