Todd A. Wilson - Mere Sexuality: Rediscovering the Christian Vision of Sexuality

PRAISE FOR MERE SEXUALITY

Mere Sexuality is a faithful, readable navigation through questions of sexuality, pointing toward the gospel and our truest identity as sons and daughters in Christ. In our sexually confused times, this book has clarity and conviction.

R USSELL M OORE , PRESIDENT OF THE E THICS AND R ELIGIOUS L IBERTY C OMMISSION OF THE S OUTHERN B APTIST C ONVENTION

Todd Wilson has given us a thoughtful, sensitive, and, above all, deeply Christian book about sexual morality and marriage. It brings into the foreground the power and beauty of the biblical understanding of marriage as a truly conjugal bonda joining of hearts and minds, yes, but one founded upon the biological union made possible by the sexual-reproductive complementarity of male and female. Pastor Wilson shows us that the Christian no to sexual sins is rooted in the profound Christian yes to the goodness of truly conjugal union.

R OBERT P. G EORGE , M C C ORMICK PROFESSOR OF JURISPRUDENCE AT P RINCETON U NIVERSITY

Todd Wilson offers an orthodox, holistic, and compassionate treatment of this most powerful, perplexing, and delightful gift from God. Mere Sexuality is exceptional, not only in offering a compelling argument for Gods ideal for human sexuality, but also in addressing with pastoral understanding and care the ways we fall short.

K AREN S WALLOW P RIOR, AUTHOR OF B OOKED : L ITERATURE IN THE S OUL OF M E AND F IERCE C ONVICTIONS : T HE E XTRAORDINARY L IFE OF H ANNAH M ORE P OET, R EFORMER, A BOLITIONIST

We need this book! In our highly sexualized culture, we need careful reflection, both theologically and with the practical challenges in view. Todd Wilson gives us just thatand with a wise and gracious spirit. This is a must-read for scholars, pastors, and others who want solid guidance on the issues.

R ICHARD J. M OUW , P H D, PRESIDENT EMERITUS, PROFESSOR OF FAITH AND PUBLIC LIFE, F ULLER T HEOLOGICAL S EMINARY

The human sexual union is of utmost importance in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It is the first act God gave humanity to get busy with. Unfortunately, the Christian church has lost its way on the topic, influenced by the world just as much as, if not more than, by the teaching of Gods Word. Todd Wilson aims to put this right, and Mere Sexuality is a major contribution to this essential effort. It is faithfully biblical, helpfully practical, and immensely thoughtful. Every serious Christian should read and benefit from Wilsons wisdom here.

G LENN T. S TANTON, DIRECTOR OF F AMILY F ORMATION S TUDIES AT F OCUS ON THE F AMILY AND AUTHOR OF L OVING M Y (LGBT) N EIGHBOR

In Mere Sexuality, Todd Wilson takes on the challenge of articulating Christian norms regarding sex and gender. He does so in a clear, accessible way. Followers of Christ will be indebted to Wilson for helping us identify and articulate those norms in a dramatically changing culture in which such norms are all but lost.

M ARK A. Y ARHOUSE , P SY D, PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY & H UGHES E NDOWED C HAIR ; DIRECTOR OF THE I NSTITUTE FOR THE S TUDY OF S EXUAL I DENTITY AT R EGENT U NIVERSITY

Yeats probably did not have sexuality in mind when he penned his famous poetic line things fall apart; the center cannot hold, but he may as well have, for sexual anarchy has indeed been loosed upon the world. Todd Wilson brings Christian clarity and charity to the confusion, reminding the church of what it has known for nearly two thousand years but recently forgotten: mere sexuality, the historic consensus that God created human beings male and female as part of a larger design plan for union and communion, and that human flourishing depends on our respecting, not disrespecting, this created order, an order that is enabling, not disabling. The book provides rich resources for pastors and others seeking wisdom on this issue, but the chapter on Jesus sexuality especially stood out as merely breathtaking.

K EVIN J. V ANHOOZER, RESEARCH PROFESSOR OF SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY AT T RINITY E VANGELICAL D IVINITY S CHOOL

Years ago, in the midst of a world war, an incredibly timely and now timeless book came out called Mere Christianity. Today, I have the honor of recommending to you Mere Sexuality. This is a crucial book for you to read now amidst our exploding culture wars. Todd Wilson writes in a way that pushes back hatred and anger. He lays out a case for biblical sexuality that is simply unmatched in its clarity and insight for those seeking truth and wisdom in this area. Dont hide from this topic and think it will go away. Dig into this short, powerful book, and be encouraged that you can hold firm to your faith and still walk with and love others well.

J OHN T RENT , P H D, C HAPMAN C HAIR OF M ARRIAGE AND F AMILY M INISTRY AND T HERAPY AT M OODY T HEOLOGICAL S EMINARY

This is not just another book about sex; it is a tract for the times. Relevant, timely, and theologically rich, it connects sexuality with Christology and offers practical pastoral wisdom on a topic that God cares about a lot. Strongly recommended!

T IMOTHY G EORGE ; FOUNDING DEAN OF B EESON D IVINITY S CHOOL OF S AMFORD U NIVERSITY ; GENERAL EDITOR OF THE R EFORMATION C OMMENTARY ON S CRIPTURE

ZONDERVAN

Mere Sexuality

Copyright 2017 by Todd A. Wilson

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

ePub Edition August 2017: ISBN 978-0-310-53536-2

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version). Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

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To Wesley Hill

I n recent years, many people have written about same-sex practice and gay marriage, and much of this material is quite good. Evangelicals have grappled with the biblical texts that speak to the issue of same-sex practice. Theyve written books, both academic and popular, and we should be thankful for their labor of love. A number of authors have also helped us hear the stories of those who are same-sex-attracted and think about how we might treat them not as an issue to be solved, but as people to be loved. So whether or not you affirm same-sex relationships, we can agree that these signs are encouraging. The church is taking Scripture and its application seriously, and we should feel good about that.