Sex.God. - Chapter Three: Angels and Animals

We all know someone we would classify as an angel. This person dresses impeccably and seems to have it all together. She is successful and fiscally responsible. She is caring and attentive to those around her and never shares in gossipy chats. She's seemingly perfect.

Then there are those we would label as an animal. This person is often savage and impulsive. He gives into his desires without considering the consequences. He looks out only for himself and will do what it takes to make sure his needs are met. He's
a disaster.

I've known both types of people. I've also known people who pretend to be angels, thinking that is what is expected of them, all the while fighting the animalistic urges within them. I've dated these people. At times, I've been like them too.

Bell claims we all have both an animal and an angel living inside of us and that "in the same way we can veer toward the animal impulse, we can veer toward the angel impulse." Now, it's obvious how giving into the animal impulse can be destructive, but Bell asserts that giving into the angelic impulse can be just as damaging. In regards to our sexuality, Bell states that favoring our angelic impulses is "the denial of the physical and the failure to acknowledge that our sexuality is central to what makes us human."

"Angels and Animals. There are these two extremes, denying our sexuality or being driven by it, and then there's the vast space in between."

It's that ambigious in between that frightens so many people into pretending to be something [or someone] they're not. Instead of accepting the fact that although we were created in God's image we are far from perfect, people spend their lives trying to convince people otherwise. Bell speaks to the fact that God created animals [body NO spirit], then angels [spirit NO body], then humans [body AND spirit] and that He created us all in unique ways. He says:

"When we deny the spiritual dimension to our existence, we end up living like animals. And when we deny the physical, sexual dimension to our existence, we end up living like angels. And both ways are destructive because God made us human."

Bell challenges us, as difficult as it may be, to live in the tension. He insists we must discuss the challenges of living a life of purity while still experiencing the animalistic and sexual desires that come with being human. In regards to sex education Bell says, "To simply tell them to ignore the animal and be the angel puts them in the awkward place of trying to ignore something that is very real and very new, something central to who they are."

So embrace the tension! Don't fall into the habit of acting as an animal because you know you're incapable of living as an angel. And don't pretend to be an angel because you can't keep up the act forever and in doing so you rob yourself of the freedom that comes with living a transparent life blessed by the grace of God.

Graceful Barbarians. It seems as though they're the perfect combination of both.