Sanctified Sexuality: Valuing Sex in an Oversexed World

“Questions about sexuality represent the most confusing landscape for today’s Christian leaders. I am tremendously thankful for the effort and wisdom that went into creating this biblically-based and practical resource! It contains a wonderful variety of voices that together will equip Christian leaders to address sexuality with integrity and compassion for years to come.” -- Juli Slattery, PsyD, co-founder of Authentic Intimacy and author of Rethinking Sexuality

“When the topic of sexuality comes up among Christians, those who engage are often throwing Bible verses like knives at a circus show, hoping to pin anyone who disagrees with them to a wall. Instead of arming their audience with more weapons, Dr. Glahn and Dr. Barnes have curated a book that turns the words of the Bible from weapons into tools that guide thoughtful readers into a life of wisdom. Beginning with creation and a theology of the body, and working through more specific issues of sexuality, each contributor adds to a framework of sexual ethics that helps readers make order out of the chaos surrounding the topic of sexuality. If you are looking for rigorous academics and humble, gracious engagement on a seminal topic of our day, you’ll find it in these pages.” -- Kelsey Hency, editor in chief of Fathom

“Sanctified Sexuality is a treasure! It will be a go-to resource for my research and message preparation.”“Sanctified Sexuality is a treasure! It will be a go-to resource for my research and message preparation.” -- Kat Armstrong, speaker, author of No More Holding Back, and co-founder of Polished Ministry

“When the topic of sexuality comes up among Christians, those who engage are often throwing Bible verses like knives at a circus show, hoping to pin anyone who disagrees with them to a wall. Instead of arming their audience with more weapons, Dr. Glahn and Dr. Barnes have curated a book that turns the words of the Bible from weapons into tools that guide thoughtful readers into a life of wisdom. Beginning with creation and a theology of the body, and working through more specific issues of sexuality, each contributor adds to a framework of sexual ethics that helps readers make order out of the chaos surrounding the topic of sexuality. If you are looking for rigorous academics and humble, gracious engagement on a seminal topic of our day, you’ll find it in these pages.” -- Kelsey Hency, Editor in chief of Fathom

“What does the Bible really teach about sexuality? This book will help answer the question fairly and honestly. It is based on an online course in biblical sexual ethics. Sixteen scholars with biblical/theological, psychological, and medical training have joined to produce a comprehensive, biblical, and well documented resource book. I highly recommend it for pastors, teachers, and other interested persons.” -- Edwin A. Blum, general editor of the Holman Christian Standard Bible

“Sanctified Sexuality embraces a complex and multi-faceted subject with a beautiful balance of cultural intelligence and biblical relevance. Anyone interested in countering popular perspectives about marriage, sex, and human sexuality will certainly find wisdom and direction—anchored in God’s Word—through this array of topics Glahn and Barnes have arranged. Equally critical is the tone of charity this book exemplifies—a tone the editors lay forth as essential for all relationships.” -- Mark Yarbrough, President, Dallas Theological Seminary

“Courageous and grounded: These are the words that best describe Sanctified Sexuality. Drs. Glahn and Barnes have brought to bear a most outstanding array of authors in the fields of theology, psychology, sociology, and sexuality to address not only the easier topics in a biblically-grounded and research-based manner, but to ply the same tools to courageously take on the toughest and most salient issues concerning sexuality in our time. Whether you agree or disagree with some of the positions, you will find this book informative and challenging for the very topics and issues that matter most in our society. The reader will especially appreciate the poignant and helpful discussion questions at the end of each chapter to bring home and continue the important discussion. Where we have milled around for years in confusion about sex and sexuality, this book moves us forward with clarity and conviction.” -- Terry D. Hargrave, Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy, Fuller Theological Seminary

“A book with an oxymoron for a title is usually a book that breaks new ground. Sanctified Sexuality is exactly such a book because it shows that no aspect of human sexuality is beyond the reach of God’s purpose, wisdom, and passionate desire for our highest good as persons made in Godâ·ºs image. With all the noisy, confused, and confusing conversations now taking place around sexuality, this collaboration offers a breath of fresh air, from experts who actually know what they are talking about and have humbly pooled their expertise to assemble a compelling vision for sex as God intends for us to steward it.” -- Bill Hendricks, Executive Director for Christian Leadership, The Hendricks / Dallas Theological

"Valuing sex in an oversexed world may seem like an oxymoron, but it magisterially describes the urgent value that this excellent book brings to all of us. Sex is present everywhere in our society, but we only receive a distorted version of God’s beautiful and complex design for human sexuality. Sanctified Sexuality emphasizes the real value that sex has in a fallen, but redeemed, world. This book is for all of us who desperately need a bright outlook to rediscover a familiar, but imperfect scenery." -- Octavio Javier Esqueda, Prof. of Christian Higher Education, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University