What I am finding, however, is how much the author's arguments extend beyond sex and chastity. So much of what she has to say is about community. I found the following really interesting and it just made me sit back and think: "the Bible tells us to intrude---or rather, the Bible tells us that talking to one another about what is really going on in or lives is in fact not an intrusion at all, because what's going on in my life is already your concern; by dint of the baptism that made me your sister, my joys are your joys and my crises are your crises. We are called to speak lovingly, to be sure, and with edifying, rather than gossipy or hurtful, goals. But we are called nonetheless to transform seemingly private matters into communal matters. Of course, premarital sexual behavior is just one of many instances of this larger point. Christians need to speak courageously and transparently, for example, about the seemingly private matters of Christian marriage---there would be, I suspect, a lot fewer divorces in the church if married Christians exposed their domestic lives, their fights and tensions and squabbles, to loving wisdom, advice and sometimes rebuke from their community. Christians might claim less credit-card debt if small-group members shared their bank account statements with one another..."
For me, this rings true. Community is so very important and we were created for it. Community doesn't just mean celebrating with one another when there's a reason to celebrate, it also requires that we speak into the lives of those we are in community with and be transparent for one another. If you've ever been a part of a community that's like this you know what I'm talking about...there's something so freeing and affirming when you can be just who you are and be loved in spite of all the junk that's below the surface.
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