Redeeming Sex

Naked Conversations About Sexuality and Spirituality

By: Debra Hirsch, Gabe Lyons - foreword

Narrated by: Pearl Hewitt

Nothing has exposed the gap between the church and the broader society quite like the cultural argument over sexuality. Relationships, identities, orientations, and even seemingly straightforward concepts such as gender have cut battle lines between the church and the world. In the fog of war and the cloud of conflict, it's increasingly hard to see our way clearly.

There is hope, however. Debra Hirsch has seen it firsthand-in meaningful lifelong relationships with LGBT friends and neighbors, in Christian fellowships, and in movements that have held a concern for people created in God's image and a high view of the Bible's teaching on sexuality in constructive tension. When you consider the world from the perspective of God's kingdom mission, it turns out the smoke clears and a redemptive imagination takes root.

Discover a holistic, biblical vision of sex and gender that honors God and offers good news to the world.

©2015 Debra Hirsch (P)2021 Tantor

A much needed perspective.

Debra Hirsch does such a wonderful job being gentle and kind in this book. From the discussions about how our sexuality is linked to our spirituality, to how the church can change its perspective to better reflect the grace of Christ. I highly recommend this book to anyone, Christian or not. I would not be able to say enough good things about it.

Sex is not what most of us think or believe.

I started this book with a much different understanding of sex than what and, Hirsh does. She seriously challenged that narrow and simplistic view of sex by connecting it to the rest of life in all its different parts of who we are. She makes a case for understanding one’s whole personhood, not something more or less valuable than any other. Though most of the church and the world view sex as extremely vital, even explosive, something to be roped and kept bound by stereotypical walls separating it from the rest of who we are, especially in our spiritual lives. She claims that sexuality must be embraced and respected as just one aspect of our personhood, no more, no less. And, it should not be hard-edged barbed wire boundary that must be guarded and kept separate from our emotional or intellectual lives. As such, it like other realities of who we are must be accepted as not something so powerful as to control the rest of ourselves.

She demonstrates that when a group called the Church looks beyond old traditional boundaries to see the rest of the other person’s humanity. it is possible to open ourselves to see others as much more beautifully complex bearing the image of God and worthy of acceptance as broken but seeking to be growing more Chris’s-like. We really do that with other aspects of our selves knowing we are broken and incomplete versions of what God calls us to be. And, sex should not continue to be the deviding element that most Christians make it. So, neither should it be the reason those of heterosexual identity exclude persons who do not feel like they can conform to that narrow understanding of it.

To be Christ-like means accept people with growing edges like their own, broken, even sinful, but fully worthy of our respect and acceptance without insisting they “get straight” before being embraced as fully part of God’s family. Refusing full acceptance is a failure Christ’s intensions as his Church, something we must repent of, (like racism, my word).

An excellent book on faith, sexuality and LGBTQ+

Definitely one of my top favorite books I've read on Lgbtq+ people and faith. If I was forced to recommend just one book to straight people on the topic I think it would be this one. Now I just need to find some straight people who want to read books about lgbtq+ people and faith!

BEST Approach to Sex and Christianity

This is a must read. Sex us God's idea and it helps to understand and except everyone. I love how she explains the "essentials" of faith.... just read it.