Rethinking Sexuality

If we are honest, it is necessary to admit how difficult it is to talk about private issues, how much more it is when we need to talk about sexuality! That is why I consider Juli Slattery a very brave woman. Some time ago, we were studying with a group of women his book "Passion Pursuit: What Kind of Love Are You Making? it was a very enriching experience (with the videos, book of work and also, the sincere and enriching comments of the women who took it). So when I saw this book, I thought: you have to read it!. Lately I am reading a lot of this topic, since we have seen very deep problems in this area and we can see that they are taboo subjects that rarely anyone else will try ... This is a useful, practical and necessary resource for this generation, but if not you will read the previous one you can read it to teach them in these topics. Therefore, I recommend this book if you are in charge of a group of women, you are a mother, educator or Pastor's wife, if you are a counselor, psychologist or you are in a place of influence where they ask you questions on the subject continuously.

This book was published on July 24, 2018. You can buy it here.

#RethinkingSexuality #NetGalley #IReallyLikeToReadALot

About the book: "This ground-breaking resource challenges and equips Christians to think and act biblically and compassionately in matters of sexuality. Sexual abuse, sex addiction, gender confusion, brokenness, and shame plague today's world, and people are seeking clarity and hope. By contesting long-held cultural paradigms, this book equips you to see how sexuality is rooted in the broader context of God's heart and His work for us on earth. It provides a framework from which to understand the big picture of sexual challenges and wholeness, and helps you recognize that every sexual question is ultimately a spiritual one. It shifts the paradigm from combating sexual problems to confidently proclaiming and modeling the road to sacred sexuality. Instead of arguing with the world about what's right and wrong about sexual choices, this practical resource equips you to share the love and grace of Jesus as you encounter the pain of sexual brokenness--your own or someone else's.

I feel like I need to present everyone with a massive amount of backstory before delving in to the awesomeness that is Rethinking Sexuality. However, I assume most of you want to know more about the book than about me - and trust me, I would too, if I were in your shoes. 

One of the greatest disservices I believe the church has performed, is it's teachings - or lack thereof - on sexuality. Dr. Slattery reiterates this throughout the book. The church goes out of its way to discourage open discussion of sex. This, in turn, raises up generations of individuals who are unable to shake away the shame and disgust they feel about themselves and their sexual experiences. 

My husband is a seminary graduate, and we've talked on multiple occasions about how the greatest enemies in modern Christianity and the church, are Christians. When I think about the New Testament and how the Pharisees responded to Christ and His followers, I am reminded of how some modern Christians respond to people. Their haughty, better-than-you attitude damages not only those searching for Christ, but those who have found Christ but are struggling with what it means to live a Christian life. Dr. Slattery discusses how Christians react to certain situations. Specifically members of the LGBTQ community. She discusses how most Christians either respond by focusing on, and passionately sharing, the truth of the Bible; or by the grace we are given by God. In reality, neither is perfectly correct. Instead, we need to find a balance between truth and grace. This is far easier said than done, as the only person to have perfected this balance was Jesus Christ.

It's easy to tell someone they aren't alone, that other people have gone, and are going, through the same things they are. Dr. Slattery goes a step further by providing actual correspondence of individuals experiencing hurt, doubt, brokenness, etc. She didn't have to tell me I wasn't alone, she showed me. 

My own sexual experiences have left me feeling ashamed and dirty, and while 2 years of therapy have been life changing, it has not changed those feelings. I can agree with Dr. Slattery that my response and relationship to sexuality affects my response and relationship to God. That doesn't mean I can change the way I feel overnight.

I loved every aspect of this book. I am, like Dr. Slattery, sad at how many people will not read it simply because she is a psychologist. In the world of Christianity that solely supports biblical counseling (let's not even get me started), people who need to read this book will shun it. 

If you're married, single, Christian, non-Christian, male, female, LGBTQ, whatever, and you want to better understand God's design for sexuality without coming away feeling ashamed and worthless, you need this book. Really. It's time for the church to make a stand. It's time to preach about sexuality from the pulpit. Bring it out of the darkness and into the light - the first steps of healing shame. Instead of spending so much time, effort, and energy on teaching people nothing about sex, or drilling into their heads how exceptionally sinful it is outside the bounds of marriage, the church should put forth an effort to discuss sex in the light of God's love and grace.

5/5

Sexual abuse, sex addiction, gender confusion, brokenness, and shame plague today's world, and people are seeking clarity and hope. By contesting long-held cultural paradigms, this book equips you to see how sexuality is rooted in the broader context of God's heart and His work for us on earth. It provides a framework from which to understand the big picture of sexual challenges and wholeness, and helps you recognize that every sexual question is ultimately a spiritual one. It shifts the paradigm from combating sexual problems to confidently proclaiming and modeling the road to sacred sexuality.
Instead of arguing with the world about what's right and wrong about sexual choices, this practical resource equips you to share the love and grace of Jesus as you encounter the pain of sexual brokenness--your own or someone else's.

Dr. Slattery affirms the reasons why we need to rethink sexuality and presents a new phrase: sexual discipleship. She then lays out God’s design for sexuality. Books of this nature and on this subject can come across as clinical and daunting to everyday lay people. However, the way Slattery has written appeals to the general reader and she includes several of her personal counseling and teaching experiences with real-life people that carries authenticity beyond just theory and facts. She relates well and understands the profound struggles of many.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

A much needed and extremely important book for our times. Every Christian needs to read this book!