Reviews for Basic sexual medicine

The average rating for Basic sexual medicine based on 2 reviews is 2.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2019-09-23 00:00:00 Jerson Perdo Let's Talk About Sex Authentic Human Sexuality, 3rd Edition, by Judith K. Balswick and Jack O. Balswick "Sex pervades our culture, going far beyond the confines of the bedroom into the workplace, the church, and the media. Yet despite all the attention and even obsession devoted to sex, human sexuality remains confusing and even foreboding. What, after all, is authentic human sexuality?" This is the question tackled by Judith and Jack Balswick in their updated edition of a much used college text. This is a well-read text and that is well deserved. The authors are thorough in their approach to the issues of sexuality and it is thoroughly updated, even having a section regarding the #MeToo movement. The authors work off this basic presupposition: "God created us as sexual beings and intends for our sexuality to be a genuine, believable, and trustworthy part of ourselves." The book examines three parts: 1. The formation of sexuality. They take a biblical look at God's creation and the formation of sexuality. They also take in the sociocultural context, sexual identity formed in minors, and they take on LGBTQ issues. 2. Authentic sexuality. What it means to be in true relationship. What it means to be single. They also tackle tough issues regarding premarital cohabitation and truly maximized sexuality in the context of marriage. 3. Inauthentic sexuality. What happens when infidelity occurs? What is truly a covenant in marriage? Issues regarding sexual harassment, abuse, and rape. They examine pornography and also other sexual addictions. The goal is thus stated: "Authentic sexuality is a longing for a rich sharing of our lives with another." The authors work toward an authentic sexuality that is reflective of an authentic spirituality. The social context is taken into consideration and they offer a brief history of how western culture has viewed sexuality. The move from strict "puritanical" views to very "open" views of sex has always been a challenge in the western cultures. Sexual identity is changing as well. These are tough waters to navigate. The authors lay out the ideal of how sexual identity should be worked on in the lives of individuals, from childhood on. The family is core, then the congregation, then society. When it comes to LGBTQ issues, the authors lay out four very broad categories that demonstrate how the American church is responding. There are the extremes of being very punitive and rejecting LGBTQ people and then be very open to every sexual idea. The "middle ground" is the tough part. The authors work to hold to an orthodox understanding of Scripture and use that guideline to narrow the parameters of their discussion. They discuss these issues within the Christian context and not the broader cultural context. This is an area I could take a lot of time on to process in writing. They have challenged my thinking and left me with a lot to process. The worthwhile goal of this book, and worthwhile discussion that should take place in the Church, is to see what it means in a church community to have truly authentic relationships. When families are living in healthy sexuality, the church community can have a better shot at "getting it right". This can have a positive influence on the culture around us. IVP Books sent me a review copy of this book. I am under no obligation to give this book a positive review.

Review # 2 was written on 2019-09-01 00:00:00 Matthew Rigney "In our view, Scripture seems consistently to refer to marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman, leading us to uphold the heterosexual union as God's original intended design for humankind…. Yet, we support our gay friends and family member who choose to commit themselves to lifelong, monogamous marital union in the belief that this is God's best for them. They do so in the belief that it reflects an authentic sexuality that is congruent with themselves and with Scripture, and seek to serve God and each other in a faithful, committed, covenant relationship before God." (page 84) "Masturbation and lust distinction. The Bible is silent on masturbation, but not silent on sexual sin. The realities of sexual sin, such as the use of internet pornography, which becomes a compulsion, is a problem. Jesus addresses the issue of lust in Matthew 5:27-28: "You have heard that it as said 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say you you that everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (RSV) Jesus does not condemn being attracted, sexually aroused, or even having sexual thoughts about a person. Rather, Jesus is warning that lusting after a certain person sets one on a potential path of committing adultery. Fantasy can be used to increase responsiveness in the relationship, or it can become a substitute for unmet needs. Lust need not be equated with fantasy. Fantasy allows us to imagine God-given dreams and goals." (page 126) "Second, it is important to respect our Christian liberties when viewing erotica. Once again we refer to the 1 Corinthians 6:12 passage about Christian liberties: 'I can do anything I want to if Christ has not said no' (LB). Although this principle may feel uncomfortable to some, it is important not to judge another's actions where Scripture's teachings are not absolute. In addition, honest discernment is helping in discriminating between the things that direct us in God's way, and those that do not. Third, the effects of erotica are dependent on the context of one's situation. Paul continues in 1 Corinthians 6:12, 'But some of these things aren't good for me. Even if I am allowed to do them, I'll refuse to [do so] if I think they might get such a grip on me that I can't easily stop when I want to' (LB). Paul's use of but qualifies freedom in Christ… Paul is not saying that 'these things' are not good, but that they are not good for him. For the Christian, 'these things' may include erotic material. It is a strong possibility that Paul was specifically addressing the issue of erotica. In the following verse, Paul writes, "But it is not true that the body is for lust" (1 Cor 6:13 NEB). According to Paul, certain types of erotica may not be wrong in and of themselves. However, the context of the erotica can determine whether erotic material is healthy or unhealthy." (page 235) For further reading on sexuality, singleness, and things of that sort from a conservative view I recommend: Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry 7 Myths about Singleness by Sam Allberry Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl's Heart by Kristen Clark and Bethany Beal The Heart of Singleness by Andrea Trevenna Making All Things New: Restoring Joy to the Sexually Broken by David Powlison Everything Rosaria Butterfield has written.