Oh God!: A Black Woman's Guide to Sex and Spirituality [Hardcover]

Susan Newman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 26, 2002

Far too many African American women struggle with a deep division between the two fundamental pillars of their identity–spirituality and sexuality. The church tells them that to live “holy and sanctified” lives they must give up sexual activity outside the institution of marriage, and yet their bodies and souls cry out for a way to express and fulfill their natural passions. In this groundbreaking book, the Reverend Dr. Susan Newman, a nationally recognized minister and speaker, finally shows all women of faith how to find a healthy balance between their spiritual selves and their sexual needs.

Dr. Newman opens with a simple but startling premise: You can love God and love sex at the same time. Though it may sound irreverent, this premise is actually the basis for an essential journey to self-knowledge and reconciliation. As Dr. Newman shows, this journey has been denied to women for centuries because of church traditions and doctrines going back to the Old Testament and to the teachings of Saint Paul. For African American women, the spiritual-sexual divide was compounded by slavery.

But women of faith do not have to live divided lives. Writing with passion, candor, and welcome humor, Dr. Newman opens new paths to healing and reconciliation. Here are frank, direct discussions about sex both inside and outside marriage; about being honest about your spiritual and erotic needs; about making personal choices; and about acknowledging the holiness of your body.

The goal, as Dr. Newman explains, is not to suppress or channel your sexuality, but to embrace sex as a wonderful gift from God. As a woman of faith–and as a woman–you deserve a healthy, satisfying life, a life open to passion and truly free of guilt and shame. The first book of its kind, Oh God! is a landmark achievement that will be welcomed by black women who want to live in wholeness of spirit and body.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ordained minister Newman (With Heart and Hand) chose a riveting topic for her second book: her premise is that African-American women often have confused ideas about sex, in large part because the church gives them confusing messages. Unfortunately, the book does not live up to its initial promise. Newman's message is less about ethics (she is curiously opaque, for example, about the propriety of sex outside of marriage) than self-image. Above all, she wants her readers to feel good about themselves, urging women to take up "Project Me," which involves spending time alone and tending to their own needs. This is hardly new advice. One wonders how Newman's suggestions that women take a karate class, learn to embroider or buy themselves flowers will help her audience think more clearly about sex. Part of the book's superficiality stems from Newman's attempt to cover too many subjects, including body image, domestic violence, orgasm in marriage, dancing in church, dating and HIV prevention. Though these are all worthy topics, Newman sacrifices depth for breadth. One of the book's redeeming features is her sensitive biblical exegesis; she portrays Jesus as a "revolutionary feminist" who befriended women, and concludes from her study of the Onan story in Genesis that masturbation (which she calls "self-pleasuring") is not sinful. These interpretations, though certainly not original to Newman, are ably presented. Readers will also appreciate the biblically inspired reflection questions that close each chapter. Scriptural summaries and fill-in-the-blank worksheets, however, are not enough to salvage this disjointed guide.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In this blunt, compassionate, and entertaining book for black women, Newman, an acclaimed minister based in Washington, DC, offers strong and sensible advice on managing one's body and relationships in light of one's spiritual life, happiness, and welfare. Admirably frank, Newman deals with sexual abuse, divorce, HIV, masturbation, and self-worth. Her honesty means a good deal more than the evasions of many other writers who address women's spirituality, and her work deserves a broad readership. Highly recommended.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: One World/Ballantine; 1 edition (March 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345450779
• ISBN-13: 978-0345450777
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 0.8 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,151,806 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An invitation to use our minds., April 6, 2002

By 

Cedric A. Harmon (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oh God!: A Black Woman's Guide to Sex and Spirituality (Hardcover)

Dr. Susan Newman has taken a bold step in her original work, Oh God! The honesty and frankness with which she writes is refreshing and empowering to women, women of faith and the church community at-large. It is not surprising that some reviewers will take exception to the book at first read, because the work challenges long held silence, traditional comfort zones and prudish mind-sets regarding sexuality. Dr. Peter Gomes encountered similar diatribes on his work, The Good Book Reading The Bible With Mind And Heart. Once again people of faith are being asked to engage the Holy Scriptures with all of their intelligence and to relinquish tacit acceptance of simpleminded traditional understandings.

In concluding my review, I am hopeful that the book will encourage dialogue and discussion not immediate dismissal. To quote Bengel, "Apply yourself closely to the text; apply the text closely to yourself." In this case do so regarding the Holy Bible and Oh God.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful and Needed Book for Black Women of Faith, April 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Oh God!: A Black Woman's Guide to Sex and Spirituality (Hardcover)

Finally, someone in the church is talking realistically about sex. Dr. Newman contends that our sexuality is a gift from God that should be embraced and celebrated. Each women must decide the path that is right for her -- taking into account respect for self, neighbor and God. Black women of faith have been conflicted for too long. If Oh God! and Dr. Newman can help us find a healthy balance between our sexual and spiritual selves, I say more power to her!

I was shocked by the tone of the two negative reviews, but I am convinced that those people did not actually didn't read the book. They are obviously threatened by Dr. Newman's contention that women of faith should take control of all parts of our lives -- and our decisions, sexual and otherwise, should be between ourselves and God. Obviously there is some hidden agenda at work here because people who bought Oh God! from Amazon.com did not also buy that list of sex books quoted by the so-called "Christian" reader, they actually bought:

It's All Good Hair by Michele N-K Collison
Sittin' in the Front Pew by Parry A. Brown
You Know Better by Tina McElroy Ansa
Satisfy My Soul by Colin Channer

And, those quotes were taken totally out of context.

Oh God! says, read the bible for yourself -- don't just listen to what your pastor says or what your girlfriend says. God gave you a brain, so use it! Do what is best for you, taking into account all of God's commandments. Read this book for yourselves -- you will not be disappointed.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I'm SO GLAD, April 6, 2002

By 

Rev. McCallister (Detroit,MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oh God!: A Black Woman's Guide to Sex and Spirituality (Hardcover)

Thank God some one had the courage to tell the truth, about God, Sex, the Church and the sacredness of the body. Rev. Newman has broken the seal of silence that has left many estranged from the church and their own sense of faith. In her clever, sensitive and oft times painfully honest manner; Rev. Newman uses humor to make the uncomfortable safe and invites women and men to walk the journey of self discovery to wholeness.
As an ordained clergywoman I have longed for a text this accesible and sincere. I praise God for Rev. Newman's courage and call...