Sex for Christians: The Limits and Liberties of Sexual Living [Paperback]

Lewis B. Smedes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1994

Considered one of the definitive statements on sex and sexuality from a Christian perspective, Sex for Christians offers frank yet compassionate discussion that is at once refreshingly open-minded and strongly biblical. This edition adds discussions of AIDS and talk of safe sex, cohabitation, homosexuality, and the need to develop Christian strategies regarding sex.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Rev Sub edition (June 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802807437
• ISBN-13: 978-0802807434
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #110,819 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Gender & Sexuality

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best book for Christians dealing with premarital sexuality, November 15, 2008

By 

Anne-Lise (United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Sex for Christians: The Limits and Liberties of Sexual Living (Paperback)

I'm an adult Christian who has abstained from premarital sex for religious reasons, but wanted to do some reading on the subject as a sort of clarification of my religious reasoning. I bought several books with a related theme, and this one was far and away the best (the others were Real Sex: The Naked Truth About Chastity by Lauren Winner, Boundaries in Dating by Henry Cloud & John Townsend, and When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric & Leslie Ludy). The others (to varying degrees) seemed less plausible in the real world, or geared toward people in the 17-21 range. Sex for Christians, however, seems to be firmly aware of what's going on in the modern world, despite the fact that it was first published in 1976.

The bible is involved with Smedes' text, but it is not the sole reason for Smedes' explanations. In addition, he provides several questions to help discern what is spiritually desirable, and what is not. Smedes offers a balanced view of sex within a Christian framework, and it's the best text on the subject that I've found.

47 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not for cookie-cutter Christians, September 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sex for Christians: The Limits and Liberties of Sexual Living (Paperback)

Smede looks at issues of sexuality intelligently and often (thankfully) rejects the knee-jerk conventional wisdom of the Christian community on issues such as petting and transexualism. Non-Christians may not understand where he's coming from and many Christians may struggle because Smede's demands thoughtful analysis of one's beliefs on the issues. A bit professorial in tone (he is an academic) but very liberating.

34 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Christian Sexuality. An oxymoron?, July 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Sex for Christians: The Limits and Liberties of Sexual Living (Paperback)

I found this book really made me take a second look at my views of what the Bible actually says and does not say about our sexuality. I have been very afraid of looking at this issue, as I suppose most are, because of a lot of tradition that has arisen around christian dating and exceptable christian physical ethics which are not stated in the Bible. It has been truely educational to see that someone has used godly wisdom to discern where the Bible does not speak. It asks the questions everyone has asked and brings to light what many born again christian's struggle to find answers for. He supports the Bible fully where it speaks against immorality but encourages thought where the Bible does not and christian tradition has stepped in. Although there are some parts that do not need alot of thought about whether it is wrong or not, such as the morality of transexualism (clearly wrong) which he covers and stands biblically. I think that I, along with many other christian's, have found sexuality to be a burden, though it is God given, instead of looking at it through the Creator's eyes. I encourage anyone to read this book atleast to reasses what they believe and why. Smedes does not encourage us, like most to cut out a part of our redeemed being which many hope to use once they are married. Christian's need to think and think hard.