Beauty, Order, and Mystery: A Christian Vision of Human Sexuality

<p>Todd Wilson is the president and cofounder of the Center for Pastor Theologians and the former senior pastor of Calvary Memorial Church. He holds a PhD from University of Cambridge and is the author of <em>Mere Sexuality</em> and <em>Real Christian</em>, as well as coauthor of <em>The Pastor Theologian</em>. He and his family live in Oak Park, Illinois.</p>
<p>Gerald L. Hiestand (PhD, University of Reading) is the senior pastor at Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Illinois, and the cofounder and director of the Center for Pastor Theologians. He is coauthor of <em>The Pastor Theologian: Resurrecting an Ancient Vision</em> and coeditor of <em>Becoming a Pastor Theologian</em>; <em>Beauty, Order, and Mystery</em>; and <em>Creation and Doxology</em>.</p>

<p>"On the whole, this is a very helpful book, and I found fresh insight in virtually every chapter. It deserves to be on the shelf of every pastor. I look forward to more volumes of this standard coming from the Center."</p><p><em>Sam Allberry, Themelios, 43.3</em></p>
<p>"There's a public conversation about human sexuality happening nearly everywhere today, but this book helpfully locates it right at the intersection of the pastoral and the theological. <em>Beauty, Order, and Mystery</em> provides a remarkably easy introduction to a vexed set of issues because the chapters are approachable and accessible even as they display deep reflection and up-to-date learning. In this particular multitude of counselors there is much wisdom."</p><p><em>Fred Sanders, Torrey Honors Institute, Biola University</em></p>
<p>"For Gerald Hiestand and Todd Wilson, the ideal of the pastor-scholar is not merely theoretical but intensely practical. The example they set through their Center for Pastor Theologians is an invitation to practice ecclesial theology. So is their new volume of thoughtful essays on God's beautiful, well-ordered, and yet mysterious purposes for human sexuality—a book that demonstrates the value and relevance of having a community of wise scholars 'do' theology in the service of the church."</p><p><em>Philip Ryken, president, Wheaton College</em></p>
<p>"Pastors minister; theologians seek—and minister—understanding. Ministering understanding of how the Bible addresses real-world issues is the great privilege and responsibility of the pastor theologian. Gerald Hiestand and Todd Wilson have put together a whole ministry team that ministers understanding worth its weight in gold on one of the most socially complicated, politically fraught, yet existentially unavoidable issues of our day or any: human sexuality. In an age where the male/female duality is in danger of becoming extinct, these essays serve as salient reminders of the beauty and mystery of God's created order: 'Male and female he created them' (Gen 1:27)."</p><p><em>Kevin J. Vanhoozer, research professor of systematic theology,Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL</em></p>