Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections Between Sexuality and Spirituality

Just as the physical world is linked with deeper spiritual realities, sex and God are intimately connected. But how? With unusual beauty and insight, Bell addresses this intriguing question to help you better understand that we can't talk about ourselves as sexual beings without asking who made us that way. An enlightening exploration of sexuality and spirituality.

God and sex go together. You can’t separate the two, says Rob Bell, because this physical world is intimately linked to deeper spiritual realities. And so, in order to make sense of sexuality, at some point you have to talk about God. With beauty and unusual insight, Sex God explores this connection.

Bell raises the bar with this evocative follow-up to last year's bestseller Velvet Elvis. "Is sex a picture of heaven?" he wonders. It's all about God and sex and heaven, he says: "...they're connected. And they can't be separated. Where the one is you will always find the other." Bell's book isn't a sex manual, an exploration of the differences between men and women or a marriage how-to, though all of that is here. Instead, it's the story of God becoming human, of humans mirroring God and love made manifest in the chaos of our humanity. Sex God is about relationships revealed in a way that elevates the human condition and offers hope to those whose relationships are wounded. In Bell's spare, somewhat oblique style, he addresses lust, respect, denial, risk, acceptance and more. His love for God and the Bible is clear, as is his ability to ask probing questions and offer answers that make readers think deeply about their own lives. He does a fine job using the Bible and real life to show that our physical relationships are really about spiritual relationships. This book joyfully ties, and then tightens, the knot between God and humankind. (Mar.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

This is THE BOOK WE ALL NEED TO READ right now about God and Sex -- because I can guarantee you that it's unlike any other American book you'll read about the convergence of those two subjects. Rob Bell, pastor of one of the U.S.'s largest and most innovative churches, stands on the cutting edge of an evangelical movement that seeks to move past the stalemated, dead-end debates over church laws concerning human sexuality.

In "Sex God," Rob steps back several giant steps from his vantage point in his best-selling "Velvet Elvis," and he takes a fresh look at the spirituality of human sexuality.

His tour through these subjects that have perplexed and polarized so many religious groups takes us to unlikely vantage points, including even the Holocaust.

The book moves us like a pilgrimage through the human body and spirit with a fresh prayer at our backs for reconciliation, healing and -- yes -- even joy!

"Bell raises the bar with this evocative follow-up to last year’s bestseller Velvet Elvis….Bell’s book isn’t a sex manual, an exploration of the differences between men and women, or a marriage how-to, though all of that is here. Instead, it’s the story of God becoming human, of humans mirroring God, and love made manifest in the messiness of our humanity. Sex God is about relationships revealed in a way that elevates the human condition and offers hope to those whose relationships are wounded. In Bell’s spare, somewhat oblique style, he addresses lust, respect, denial, risk, acceptance, and more. His love for God and the Bible is clear, as is his ability to ask probing questions and offer answers that make readers think deeply about their own lives. He does a fine job using the Bible and real life to show that our physical relationships are really about spiritual relationships. This book joyfully ties, and then tightens, the knot between God and humankind. — Publishers Weekly

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by MD (California, USA), August 17, 2009

I was uneasy about the information Rob Bell preaches. Rob Bell fails to mention that our only salvation is through the only begotten son of God, Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us to be discernful. I would not recommend this or any Rob Bell's teachings for it falls short to pointing his readers to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviuor. The bible said in the last days there will be many deceivers: 1 John 2:18,22; 1 John 4:3 and 2 John 1:17. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. I pray you will not be deceived.

Reviewed by Dhana (Universal City Tx), March 13, 2009

I was so blessed by this book. It is refreshing to be able to see someone go beyond religious doctrine and help you under stand truly what being one with the Lord is. Because of all the condemnation out there, few want to learn about walking with the Lord. Men like Rob Bell show you that our Lord is not one that is looking down his nose at us, but one that has his arms open waiting for us to come running so he can love us. This is truly one of my all time favorites, and I can't wait to get thru all of the Nooma series too.

Reviewed by Stacy (Indiana), January 14, 2009

This was a GREAT book! Bell approaches sex in a smart, non-condescending way. This book will change your outlook on relationships for the better. Both men and women of all ages could benefit from this book.

Reviewed by Fr John Reeves (State College, PA), December 21, 2007

While I have a mainly positive opinion of most if not all of the writer's conclusions, I am disturbed by his profering of what appears to be an un-orthodox anthropology, namely his statement that man bears in himself a "divine spark". This is not a Christian position about mankind at all. To have been created in the image and likeness of God is one thing. To posit the existence of a spark of the divine in humanity is more compatible with gnosticism and/or transcendentalism than Christianity. Such a position ultimately leads to the conclusion that no Saviour is needed, only a guru or guide, "to realize the divine in everyone". However, I don't believe this to have been the author's intention. As well, I would have appreciated a more thorough treatment of the fall and its ultimate distortion of human relationships in all aspects including sexuality and how the union of the two natures in Christ heals this wound. Thank you. Fr John Reeves Holy Trinity Orthodox Church State College, PA

Reviewed by Aran Walter (Menasha, WI), December 03, 2007

Welcome to the Deep Shift that is occurring in what it means to be a Christian. Everything matters. The things we have focused on during the 500 years of modernity are changing. Rob Bell is at the forefront of this Shift. May God bring us through another Reformation and soon. He knows we need it.

Reviewed by Bill Akins (Arlington, TX), November 30, 2007

Another great book by Rob Bell (Velvet Elvis is his best). This should be required reading for all young marrieds.

Reviewed by Patrick (Temecula, CA), October 04, 2007

This is a good example of the neo-othodoxy movement coming forth into contemporary Christianity bordering on heresy. Rob Bell's Scriptural references were weak, and his interpretation of the language we extremely liberal. If you want to know about the sacred nature of sex, read the Bible.

Reviewed by Kathryn Fischer (Alexandria, MN), September 24, 2007

Rob Bell is Amazing! I probably would have given it 5 stars. I guess i just like Velvet Elvis better so hard to give it a five as well! Amazing book!

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