by Stephanie Davis

Created on: August 30, 2009   Last Updated: September 01, 2009

The Bible contains in the Old Testament one of the best-known pieces of erotica ever written. Some Christian sects will say it is talking about the relationship between Christ and his Church. Others will say that it is talking about the sexual relationship between husband and wife. It could be say that it parallels both, but if one reads the book and takes a close look at the symbolism and what it represents, it clearly is talking about the relationship between spouses. It is only intended to advocate for sexual relations between husbands and wives, not to advocate for sex outside of the marriage bond.

In the first two chapters, we see the intense attraction and feelings that the couple has for each other, and in chapter three we see that the wedding there relationship and that means the sexual aspect of well receives community approval. Since their union will most likely produce offspring and further generations it can be seen as a social benefit. Throughout the book we hear of the feelings and yearning that both spouses have for one another. In Christianity, we often have an image of the timid wife just lying there until her husband gets his sexual gratification. In chapter 7, we clearly see that it is the wife who initiates sex more frequently than the husband. Christian wives can use this example to enjoy and initiate sex rather than feeling like a sinner if she does either or both. This concept of the "good" wife is one who does not enjoy sex and only gives as a sense of martial obligation is a Victorian concept and has no basis in Biblical thought.

Some scholars of the Song of Solomon believe that it alluded to such sexual actions as oral sex (SS 2:3, 4:16 and 8:2) and even French kissing. The Song of Solomon should be viewed as a book that blesses sex between spouses as a gift of God, not something to be thought of as dirty and sinful. Sadly, many theologians have wanted to take the pleasurable aspect of sex in marriage out of the equation completely and instead say it only reflects the relationship that Christ has with the church. Sex for centuries, mainly by the Roman Catholic Church, has been reduced only as a necessary evil to perpetuate the human race. If one truly reads this book of the Bible and looks at what the symbolism really means, they can easily conclude that it is erotica. If the book were to be translated literally, it would not be able to read over the radio because it would violate decency standards. If it was merely an allegorical tale of the spitirual relationship with Christ and his church, it be able to be read on the radio airwaves. Sex is a gift from God and is both a spirutal and physical act for husband and wife. The Song of Solomon was written to illustrate this point to all married couples and should be read by anyone who is married or contemplating marriage.

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