For the majority of my life, I had no framework for the interrelation of sexuality and spirituality. In my religious circles, sex was what everybody thought about, but nobody talked about.
I hope this book will start conversations. We Americans generally stink at controversial discussions and the subject of sacred sexuality is more than worthy of honest and open debate. Sex is at the heart of almost everything we do as human beings, and if it truly is the essence of existence, then it bears thoughtful and loving consideration among those of us who call ourselves spiritual.
Some people will undoubtedly find portions of this book shocking. Others will think it is tame. It is in no way intended to be a sex manual or a theological treatise. My wish is that it will cause all of us to examine closely our personal longings, our marriages, our relationships, and what we teach our children about sex. Perhaps it’s time to utilize the Bible as our sex manual. And for those aspects where it is silent, we then depend on an open dialogue with those we trust.
My candid conversations with young men I mentor, my own struggles, the shocking results of our online survey, and the inordinate amount of moral dismissals in our churches provided me the incentive to write this book. I have seen wives leave their husbands because of pornography addictions and marriages fall apart due to misplaced affections. Throughout my life, I have seen religion provide judgment instead of grace in almost every situation.
Of course, there are extreme cases of sexual dysfunction that need to be dealt with. Seeing a qualified sex therapist, psychiatrist or licensed marriage counselor is one of the most spiritually mature actions we can take in cases of severe problems.
But I can’t help but think that if we really believed our misplaced sexual longings were an indication of a desperate search for God and the original experiences of the garden, many of us would find redemption instead of condemnation. That’s what I’ve been given. And I’m thankful.
If you get nothing else from this message, know that this book is about redemption. I suppose you could say it is controversially redemptive. I have realized through the years that it takes shaking up the status quo to get anything accomplished. So be it.
“I can’t help but think that if we really believed our misplaced sexual longings were an indication of a desperate search for God”
That is a very powerful statement. I’ve never looked at it from that perspective but I like it. I look forward to reading this book to see how you unpack that.
RT @recreate: Many of you have asked. Here's why I wrote "Sex, Lies & Religion" http://bit.ly/87wOnO
This is a read I’m looking forward to. Redemptive time is now. True courage writing this.
RT @recreate: Because so many of you have asked. Here's why I wrote "Sex, Lies & Religion" http://bit.ly/87wOnO
The church NEEDS this book, and I’m so happy you had the courage to write it.
Thank you…can’t wait to read it!
Hi Randy -
Love the part about people trying to fill their God-spaced hole with sex. Sex is God’s creation, and, when shared appropriately, is a beautiful thing.
Funny how we are prudish about things we need not be prudish about!
Blessings –
Andrea
andrealschultz.blogspot.com
RT @recreate: The reason I wrote "Sex, Lies & Religion" http://bit.ly/87wOnO. //very transparent explanation. You just sold one book.
RT @recreate: The reason I wrote "Sex, Lies & Religion" http://bit.ly/87wOnO
RT @recreate: The reason I wrote "Sex, Lies & Religion" http://bit.ly/87wOnO
Hi Randy,
I have recently learned in my personal journey with God that sexuality is normal and to be embraced. As my Mentor says – God invented sex, so enjoy it!
I feel that most people have questions about sex and relationships and they should be allowed to talk about it. Its a part of growing up. Its a part of nature. Its a part of how God made us. If we werent meant to be sexual beings, He wouldnt have made us that way. Unfortunately Religion has poo pooed the topic and anyone who even admits to being sexually active or having desire is looked down upon as a deviate.
Its about time we stop spitting in God’s face and telling Him that He messed up. As long as we keep such issues in the darkness the problems will grow.
God bless you Randy. Thank you for being a faithful servant and standing up and speaking out!
I have worked with young people around the world for many years and I have said for a long time that it is a joke to think in the church that we can just put a fence around sex and sexuality and say to young people “Don’t Touch”. With my own teenagers and with other young people we have talked openly about all aspects of sexuality. Here is a link to what I said in one of my blogs about it: https://www.youthmesh.org/2009/08/20/the-issue-of-sex/
RT @SpenceSmith: RT @recreate Many of you have asked. Here's why I wrote "Sex, Lies & Religion" http://bit.ly/87wOnO
Excited about this book: http://bit.ly/5yT19K "I suspect that every knock at the door of a brothel is really a knock at the heart of God"
Excited about this book: http://bit.ly/5yT19K "I suspect that every knock at the door of a brothel is really a knock at the heart of God"
RT @cdlowell: Excited about this book: http://bit.ly/5yT19K "I suspect that every knock at the door of a brothel is really a knock at …
RT @recreate: Why I wrote "Sex, Lies & Religion" http://bit.ly/4pYe6I
Don’t you think most sin is a misplaced search for God, trying to meet a legitimate need in an illegitimate way? We’ve all heard the cliche about trying to fill the God-shaped hole inside. Anyway, makes a good premise for a book on sex and religion.
Ed, Exactly. I hope this book meets that need.
Randy
thanks I shall read your link and read about your book.I trust it will be a good read. since I am an Author I think we can be better friends. I do know if you read my book, ” it is time we truly know why Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus” by N.K.David
Great book! So much of our sin is a misplaced search for God, and what only God can provide. A mentor once said, “Sin is often an attempt to meet a legitimate need in an illegitimate way.” I don’t think we need public displays of nudity to reclaim the biblical approach to sexuality, but the book is a good challenge to religious lies we have believed.