Eros Redeemed: Breaking the Stranglehold of Sexual Sin [Paperback]

John White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1993

John White examines the history and consequences of sexual sin, offers a biblical studyof human sexuality and what it means to be a man or woman in Christ, and describes how to minister to those needing forgiveness, healing, and hope.

Product Details

• Paperback: 285 pages
• Publisher: Intervarsity Pr (October 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830816976
• ISBN-13: 978-0830816972
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,357,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #93 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Recovery > Sexual

More About the Author

John White was born in Liverpool, England, on March 5, 1924, and grew up in Manchester. After serving as a reconnaissance photographer in the Fleet Air Arms during World War II, he completed medical training at Manchester University. He later participated in a variety of short-term missions efforts (including Bible smuggling!) and captitalized on many opportunities to encourage Christians behind the Iron Curtain during the beginning of the Cold War.

On June 25, 1955, White married Laureate May O'Hara. From 1955 to 1964 he served as a medical missionary with New Tribes Mission. Later he was appointed associate general secretary of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students of Latin America.

White emigrated to Canada with his family in 1965 and later completed his residency in psychiatry in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He next filled the post of associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Manitoba and also served locally as pastor of Church of the Way.

He wrote 25 books as well as numerous articles and study guides. A much sought-after speaker, he lectured around the world at churches, conferences and leadership events. During his later life, White moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, helping to plant a Vineyard church there (Surrey Vineyard) and becoming involved in the larger Vineyard Christian Fellowship.

John White died in 2002, but his written ministry lives on, with over 1.5 million of his books in print.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fitting rejoinder to Eros Defiled, March 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Eros Redeemed: Breaking the Stranglehold of Sexual Sin (Paperback)

I once heard John White describe the difficulty he encountered in getting Eros Defiled printed. No one had any quibbles with the quality of the book, they just thought that sexual sin was not a subject they wanted to touch. Nonetheless, someone took the risk and allowed it to be printed. If that earlier book hasn't already become a classic, it has at least earned an important place in Evangelical Literature as a starting point in seriously discussing sexual sin, how to conquer it, and how to deal with the guilt in the meantime.

If there were any loose ends with Eros Defiled, Dr. White has largely tied them up with Eros Redeemed. He speaks very transparently about his own past. He mentions more guardedly the cases of people he has encountered in his years of counselling practice and even in less structured situations as an ordinary fellow-believer. He speaks sensitively both about defeats and victories. Most importantly, he offers hope that there is still a place where sexual purity and sanity meet.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pursuing Wholeness, July 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Eros Redeemed: Breaking the Stranglehold of Sexual Sin (Paperback)

Probably the best way I can describe John White's Eros Redeemed is to say that it is like finding yourself lost, broke and utterly exhausted in a distant land. At the point of desperation, you agree to approach the next traveler and beg for assistance. When he comes along, you discover to your amazement that he is not only fluent in your native language but that he has spent most of his life exploring the local countryside and the lands that lie beyond. Before you can catch your breath, he is imploring you to travel with him to meet his father who is lord of the realm and who has long been expecting your arrival with joy and anticipation.

An acute observer of the events that shape our times, White clearly articulates the concerns that we all share as we witness the distinct signs of the disintegration of Western society and culture. He describes an era marked by darkness and death where hard-core pornography, rape and violent sex crime have become commonplace.

So where is the Church as this sexually obsessed and violence prone society approaches a state of near chaos? White notes that the incidence of sexual sin and addiction have become increasingly common not only among Christian church members but also among the pastors, priests and elders that lead in it. He observes that although these things once shocked us, slowly we have begun to take them for granted.

White suggests that sexual enslavement is a prime strategy of Satan in bringing judgment upon the church and the world. He reminds us that the main assignment of the Christian Church is the rescue and redemption of perishing human beings. In obeying Christ, we can allow the Holy Spirit to awaken the Church to its peril, turning large segments of it to repentance and faith to God.

With skill and clarity, White dissects and exposes the root causes of sexual sin and offers hope for healing. He also provides insights for overcoming the destructive effects of traumatic memories and gender identity confusion.

One of the things that puts Eros Redeemed in a class of its own is the author's determination and persistence in presenting a passionate relationship with Jesus as the best (and only) long-term hope for those seeking to escape the stranglehold of sexual sin and the violence and depravity that almost invariably accompany it. So convinced is he of this necessity that he devotes an entire chapter to the intricacies of drawing close to Jesus through prayer and learning to hear his voice.

Eros Redeemed is a intelligently written and well thought out book for those desiring a more extensive and in-depth examination of the nature of sexual sin and its remedy through relationship with Jesus Christ.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected, May 12, 2001

By 

C. Corrado (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eros Redeemed: Breaking the Stranglehold of Sexual Sin (Paperback)

In the past few weeks I have read a number of Christian books which attempt to take on the topic of sexual addiction. All have had their good points--some will enlighten readers to the many consequences of sexual sin, while others are better at pointing them in the direction of repentance and healing. This book, however, seemed to tackle too many aspects of sexual addiction, and I feel its effectiveness was spread thin as a result.

White spends significant time writing about the social atmosphere regarding sexual sin. Satanic Ritual Abuse, sex and its link to violence, gender confusion, and the history of sexual addiction in the church may be important topics, but are nonetheless topics that most struggling Christians aren't seeking revelation in. I found myself skipping large sections of the book in order to find the chapters that spoke the most to my own walk.

I am not a professional book critic ... but I am a Christian who has struggled with sexual addiction for a number of years. And this book seemed to fall short of its purpose. The one book that shined an all-encompassing light on my addiction was "Breaking Free: Sexual Addiction and the Healing Power of Jesus" by Russell Willingham.