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The Sexuality Series

The Sexuality Series is an ongoing program of events at Calvin that explores issues of sexuality and gender from a Christian perspective. 

  • We promote biblically faithful thinking and living amidst the complexity of these topics and in our own lives.
  • We help members of our community to consider what it means to live wisely, with honesty and grace, glorifying God in our bodies, minds, and loves.
  • We seek to engage the Calvin community in thoughtful, grace-filled conversation about human sexuality across ideological lines.

Learn about sexuality programming and support at Calvin

 

Upcoming Events

Past Events

View some of our past events and speakers on YouTube.

 

  • Darrin Snyder Belousek, "Theological Discernment on Same-Sex Union: Framing Questions, Seeking Direction," October 2023 -
  • Jeff Chu, "Otherworldly Hope: Stories of LGBTQ grace from the US and East Africa," October 2015 -
  • Monica Daye, "#Me Too #InChurchToo: Sexual Violence and How to Help Survivors," April 2018 -
  • Megan DeFranza, "Sex and Gender Complexity in Christian Perspective," March 2024 (lecture recording available to faculty, staff, and students of ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ through the Hekman Library)
  • Megan DeFranza, "Stories of Intersex and Faith," March 2024 (documentary available to faculty, staff, and students of ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ through the Hekman Library)
  • Megan DeFranza & Lianne Simon, "Male, Female, and Intersex in the Image of God," October 2015 -
  • Anny Donewald, "Out of the Sex Industry," November 2010 -
  • John Dehlin, "Sexual Orientation, Change, and Healing: The Research," February 2017 -
  • Ruth Everhart & Ruth Tucker, "A Church Response to Interpersonal Violence," November 2016 -
  • Sheila Wray Gregoire & Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach, "The Sex Ed You Should've Had," March 2024 -
  • Sheila Wray Gregoire & Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach, "You Deserved Better: How Teachings around Sex, Dating, and Marriage Hurt a Generation, and How We Can Heal," March 2024 -
  • Wesley Hill, "Spiritual Friendship: A Gay Christian Perspective," October 2013 -
  • Wesley Hill, "Between Presumption and Despair: Practicing the Virtue of Hope as a Celibate Gay Christian," October 2013 -
  • Kristyn Komarnicki, "Sexual Justice: What We Do with Our Bodies Matters," September 2014 -
  • Kristen & Curt Kuiper, "Created for Connection: Sex, Intimacy and Christ-Following in Relationships," September 2015 -
  • Justin Lee, "Gays and Christians: Building Bridges," October 2013 -
  • Justin Lee, "The Ex-Gay Movement," October 2013 -
  • Justin Lee & Ron Belgau, "Talking Across the Divide on Same-Sex Marriage," February 2019 -
  • Amy Peeler, "Women and the _______ of God," October 2023 -
  • Nate Pyle, "Man Enough: How Jesus Redefines Manhood," September 2016 -
  • Bridget Eileen Rivera, "The Promises of the Gospel Are for LGBTQ People Too," March 2023 -
  • Julie Rodgers, Nate Collins, Darren Calhoun, & Lindsey Nelson, "Sexual Orientation, Change, and Healing: Our Stories," March 2017 -
  • Eve Tushnet, "Christian Love and Kinship Outside of Marriage," April 2016 -
  • John Van Epp, "How to Follow Your Heart without Losing Your Mind," September 2017 -
  • Wendy VanderWal-Gritter, "Generous Spaciousness: Responding to Gay Christians in the Church," April 2015 -
  • Zachary Wagner, "In Search of Non-Toxic Masculinity," October 2023 -
  • Mark Yarhouse, "Emerging Gender Identities," February 2024 -
  • Mark Yarhouse, "Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture," February 2015 -

Other speakers

The following archived events are available in alternate formats upon request. Contact Jodi VanWingerden, Coordinator for Student Support and Sexuality Programming, jodi.vanwingerden@calvin.edu).

  • Dave Beelen, "Why the Bible Says Sex Is for Marriage," January 2012
  • Freda Bush, "The Effects of Casual Sex on the Brain," October 2009
  • Mary Dekker, "Is this your Sister? Brother?: A Look at Local Sex-Trafficking," November 2010
  • Anny Donewald, "Women, Glamour, and the Sex Industry," April 2011
  • Rachel Held Evans, "What Is Biblical Womanhood?," April 2014
  • Marjorie Gunnoe, "A Social Scientific Critique of Hierarchical and Egalitarian Models of Christian Marriage," January 2011
  • Dave & Sara Hoekstra, "Till Porn Do Us Part?," October 2012
  • Christopher Kaczor, "A Theology of the Body: Love, Happiness and Sex," October 2009
  • Kristyn Komarnicki, "The Trafficker Within: What We Do and Who We Hurt When We Use Pornography," September 2014
  • Anne Marie Miller, "Speaking Freely about Sex, Shame, and Grace," September 2013
  • Jenell Williams Paris, "The Truth about Sex," November 2011
  • Jenell Williams Paris, "The End of Sexual Identity," November 2011
  • Carol Simon, "Bringing Sex into Focus: The Quest for Sexual Integrity," September 2012

Goals of the Sexuality Series

We develop our own programming, served by an advisory committee of faculty and staff and a student advisory team. We also collaborate with other departments to plan events. Our goals are:

  • To help students develop a Christian approach to sexuality, gender, and relationships.
  • To promote students’ physical and emotional safety, both in terms of relational health and campus climate.
  • To promote chastity in singleness, dating, and marriage.
  • To promote respect for all people as image-bearers of God regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • To foster space for respectful campus dialogue on sexuality topics.
  • To encourage the pursuit of justice in our own lives, in the church and in the world concerning sexuality, gender, and relationships.

Contact

Jodi_VanWingerden

Jodi VanWingerden

Coordinator for Student Support and Sexuality Programming

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