Damascus Road Church

Recently, Comedy Central "consummated" its season of "the Sarah Silverman Program" last night by featuring the title character having sex with God, and then trying to brush him off after a night of lovemaking. Silverman was shown in bed with an African American Almighty, whom she referred to as "Black God,".  Here is a partial transcript:

God: I had a really good time last night. A really, really good time.
Silverman: Thaaaanks (in a disdainful tone). Me too.
God: Come to heaven with me today.
Silverman: Today.
God: You'll see the past and the future. You can fly, and I will introduce you to Thomas Jefferson. Silverman: Oh, awesome. I told my friend, Natalie, I'd help her move, though.
God: I can stop time!
Silverman: That is so sweet. Oh, your pants are over there. I mean, not like I'm asking you to leave. I just mean, like if you can't see it from this angle of still being in my bed.
God: Right, I should go.
Silverman: OK, um, all right, so, I guess I'll see you around some time.
God: Do you mean it?! Or are you just saying that?
Silverman: I don't just say things. I'm a lot of things. I'm not dishonest.
God: Can I get your cell number?
Silverman: I don't have a cell phone.

Of my first reaction should probably be that of disgust.  Or, perhaps I should immediately write some "family values" Christian organization with a bigger voice than mine so that they can call for an immediate public apology and boycott Comedy Central.  Honestly, some time ago I wrote a personal journal called "Sex with God."  Before you dismiss such an endevour as freakish, know that it was an attempt to challenge the nature of my personal relationship with God--in other words, it's not about you so relax. 

I asked myself some really simple, but raw questions.  What is sex with God? Is it the moments when I see his grace, the times when I want to see his power the most?  If so, do I only want sex with God and not really a relationship with him?  Do I "sleep" with Jesus like a one night stand? Am I the whore that God tells me I am sleeping around with other gods?  Am I only interested in Jesus for the momentary thrill and feelings?  Do I just want to date Jesus or be a "friend with benefits" but no obligations of course.  If it wasn't for "sex", would I ignore or avoid the "relationship" most of the time?  I am "afraid" to commit? Do I spend any time with Jesus or call him up like a drug addict needing a fix when I'm dry?  Am I using Jesus like some spiritual gigolo? 

We must recognize that IF we are believers, that our relationship is described as a marriage to Jesus.  Jesus is not our date, he is not our fiance, he is not our gigolo.  Jesus is our husband, who protects us, saves us, and loves us.  If we only talk about having "sex" with God and never talk about our marriage, we make the relationship look and sound shallow and meaningless.  Focusing only on the "sex" in the relationship, makes us sound like we only love God when he comes through big for us, when he splits the red sea or turns water into wine.  If we only talk about Sex with God, we talk only about what we can get out of him, how he should make me feel, and how often he should do it for us.  I wonder if this is at all like our own marriages?  What if the only, or even primary, thing we wanted out of our marriage relationships was sex.  How shallow.  How incomplete.  How sad.  It is a part of marriage...but it is not all there is.  It is part of the relationship, but it can never be the foundation nor the sustaining power that holds it together.  In fact, it is more reflector of the health of the relationship than it is a creator of it. 

In short, I think we can learn a bit about ourselves from this seemingly profane piece of pop culture.