What The Bible Really Says About Sex

Biblical scholar Michael Coogan's introductory course on the Old Testament has been a perennial favorite among students at Harvard University. Here, Coogan examines one of the most controversial aspects of the Hebrew Scripture: what the Old Testament really says about sex, and how contemporary understanding of those writings is frequently misunderstood or misrepresented. In the engaging voice generations of students have appreciated, Coogan explores the language and social world of the Bible, showing how much innuendo and euphemism is at play, and illuminating the sexuality of biblical figures as well as God. By doing so, Coogan reveals the immense gap between popular use of Scripture and its original context. Certain to provoke, entertain, and enlighten.--From publisher description.

What the Bible "Really" says About Sex, and what many people think the Bible says about sex are two different things. Although the Bible clearly condemns immoral sexual behaviour, to go beyond what the Bible clearly teaches is legalism. Words like "adultery", "fornication", and "lust" do not mean the same things today that they meant in biblical times. We've also lost sight of the reasons behind the rules. What the Bible "Really" says about Sex makes a compelling biblical case for "responsible non-monogamy", also known as "polyamory". It also grapples with other difficult ethical questions concerning nudity, prostitution, pornography, homosexuality, situation ethics, polygamy, the sin of Adam and Eve, procreation, marriage, safe sex, love, sex after the resurrection, and family values. Tom Gruber gets to the crux of the matter with laser-sharp clarity. Gruber writes in a style that a layman can easily understand, a skeptic cannot easily refute, and a scholar cannot easily dispute. This highly-controversial book is a must read for all open-minded individuals seeking an accurate understanding of What the Bible "Really" says About Sex.

In just a few short years, massive shifts in public opinion have radically reshaped society’s views on homosexuality. Feeling the pressure to forsake long-held beliefs about sex and marriage, some argue that Christians have historically misunderstood the Bible’s teaching on this issue. But does this approach do justice to what the Bible really teaches about homosexuality? In this timely book, award-winning author Kevin DeYoung challenges each of us—the skeptic, the seeker, the certain, and the confused—to take a humble look at God’s Word. Examining key biblical passages in both the Old and New Testaments and the Bible’s overarching teaching regarding sexuality, DeYoung responds to popular objections raised by Christians and non-Christians alike—offering readers an indispensable resource for thinking through one of the most pressing issues of our day.

Does God really care about your sex life? In a culture saturated with sex, many find it hard to believe the Creator of the universe cares about this facet of their lives. Others are confused about where to draw the line to avoid going “too far.” Married or single, you need to know what God says about sex. After all, He’s the one who designed this priceless gift and set clear boundaries to protect it. This candid study will help you weigh the messages of our culture against the truth of God’s Word. As you learn about the Designer’s original intent for sex, you’ll gain valuable insights to guide your daily choices.

Whether she is discussing how to help kids with the onslaught of sexual messages they see in the media or providing sensible guidance on teaching the facts of life, Debra Haffner's values-oriented approach to raising sexually healthy children is informative and comforting. Organized from birth through age twelve, "From Diapers to Dating presents a practical, step-by-step program, offering a wealth of practical techniques to help parents identify and communicate their own values about sexuality to their children, while also suggesting to parents the appropriate information to give children of different ages.

“An explosive, fascinating book that reveals how the Bible cannot be used as a rulebook when it comes to sex. A terrific read by a top scholar.” —Bart Ehrman, author of Misquoting Jesus Boston University’s cutting-edge religion scholar Jennifer Wright Knust reveals the Bible’s contradictory messages about sex in this thoughtful, riveting, and timely reexploration of the letter of the gospels. In the tradition of Bart Erhman’s Jesus Interrupted and John Shelby Spong’s Sins of Scripture, Knust’s Unprotected Texts liberates us from the pervasive moralizing—the fickle dos and don’ts—so often dictated by religious demagogues. Knust’s powerful reading offers a return to the scripture, away from the mere slogans to which it is so often reduced.

When it comes to sex, the Bible is marred by inequality. To address the consequences of that, What the Bible Says About Sex asserts that modern perspectives on sexuality and gender should be separated from the more constraining, historical views of traditional biblical interpretation. What does the Bible say about sexuality? How have traditions of biblical interpretation influenced our understanding of sex and gender? What the Bible Says About Sex answers that and many other questions. Not shy, it analyzes why the Church claimed dominion over marriage, while the female body remained a source of potential evil. It wrestles with how sexuality is used, not only in the past but also in the present, to reinforce notions of honor, and how it can be used to manipulate others. Deftly, it handles a discussion of semen as both profane and the "seed of life." It looks brazenly at the pornographic and the erotic passages of the Bible, and how traditions of interpretation veiled them. With the Bible frequently invoked to support arguments in the present age over the moral limits of sexuality and gender, having a greater awareness of what the Bible says about sex and how it is, and has been, interpreted is critical now more than ever. What the Bible Says About Sex is suitable for students, scholars, and the general reader with an interest in sexuality and the Bible, and sex and desire in both ancient and modern Christianity.