Sacred Sex: A Spiritual Celebration of Oneness in Marriage [Paperback]

Tim Alan Gardner (Author), Scott M. Stanley (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 21, 2002

For years, Christians have been told that sex is God's creation, designed by him as a gift to husbands and wives. Yet few couples actually experience sex as a spiritual, God-ordained experience. Rather than admit their lack of fulfillment, many couples hide their disappointment and confusion, while others attempt to solve the problem through better sexual technique.

Unfortunately, all the advice on improved technique fails to explain the one thing that makes sense of it all. Despite the proliferation of resources to enhance sexual satisfaction, couples continue to struggle in their sexual relationship. In fact, author and licensed counselor Tim Gardner estimates that as few as 2 percent of married couples ever experience a truly exciting, energizing, and soul-touching physical bond. But now, that can change.

A couple's sexual relationship has a far higher purpose than pleasure or procreation. Scripture makes it clear that sex is the one thing on earth that joins two people into one. Now readers can learn how to approach marital sex in a way that brings the fulfillment of true oneness. Sacred Sex shows how they can experience a beautiful, God-ordained life of intimacy that blesses them far beyond the bedroom walls, serves as an act of worship to God, and touches their hearts and souls in ways they never could have imagined.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"How can I mention holiness and sex in the same phrase?" asks Tim Gardner, the author of Sacred Sex: A Spiritual Celebration of Oneness in Marriage. "Well, for one thing, because God does." So begins this thoughtful let's-talk-about-sex book for Christians. Gardner encourages readers (i.e., married couples) to practice unconditional acceptance of their partners' bodies and to have a clear understanding of why God created sex in the first place. The "big O," according to Gardner, "is not orgasm; it's oneness." Gardner provides excellent biblical and cultural examples of why the union of husband and wife should, as the New Testament explains it, represent the mystery of the relationship between Christ and the church.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

For years, Christians have been told that sex is God's creation, designed by him as a gift to husbands and wives. Yet few couples actually experience sex as a spiritual, God-ordained experience. Rather than admit their lack of fulfillment, many couples hide their disappointment and confusion, while others attempt to solve the problem through better sexual technique.

Unfortunately, all the advice on improved technique fails to explain the one thing that makes sense of it all. Despite the proliferation of resources to enhance sexual satisfaction, couples continue to struggle in their sexual relationship. In fact, author and licensed counselor Tim Gardner estimates that as few as 2 percent of married couples ever experience a truly exciting, energizing, and soul-touching physical bond. But now, that can change.

A couple's sexual relationship has a far higher purpose than pleasure or procreation. Scripture makes it clear that sex is the one thing on earth that joins two people into one. Now readers can learn how to approach marital sex in a way that brings the fulfillment of true oneness. Sacred Sex shows how they can experience a beautiful, God-ordained life of intimacy that blesses them far beyond the bedroom walls, serves as an act of worship to God, and touches their hearts and souls in ways they never could have imagined.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press; 1 edition (May 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578564611
• ISBN-13: 978-1578564613
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Gender & Sexuality

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NOT the same old stuff, November 6, 2003

By 

"docmkt" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sacred Sex: A Spiritual Celebration of Oneness in Marriage (Paperback)

This is a GREAT book that is NOT something you've read elsewhere. As a matter of fact, I have not seen the fantastic insights in Sacred Sex ANYWHERE else, and I've read plenty of books on the subject. If someone actually took the time to read the book in its entirety, they would find that the focus of Dr. Gardner's argument is that for true Oneness to occur inside the bedroom, it MUST occur outside the bedroom first. Even more, they must understand the depth of the spiritual oneness in the act of making love that God built into the system. It's new. It's right. Read it. Apply it. It will change your marriage.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource to Set Husbands and Wives Straight!, June 18, 2004

By 

David R. Bess (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sacred Sex: A Spiritual Celebration of Oneness in Marriage (Paperback)

There is a lot of confusion in Christian marriages today about sex. Most Christians resources don't give enough attention to this most physical aspect of marriage, and society has twisted it into anything but pure. Gardner brings husbands and wives back to a Biblical standard, asserting that sex in marriage is not only special, it is sacred.

If you feel the term "sacred sex" is a contradiction, then you need to read this book. This title is well worth the price for Christian husbands and wives.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT INSIGHTS ON SATISFYING SEX!!!, March 31, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Sacred Sex: A Spiritual Celebration of Oneness in Marriage (Paperback)

I admit that it took me awhile to wrap my mind around the concept of Sex being Sacred, but Gardner does a great job of explaining "What was on the mind of the Creator" when God designed sex in the first place and gave it to His children as a gift. Very practical material for helping couples achieve a mutually satisfying sex life. Good discussion questions. A worthy ready for any married -- or soon to be married -- couple.