A Biblical Guide to Love, Sex and Marriage

by Rosemary Thomas and Derek W.H. Thomas

Book Overview

Isn't it strange that the church has so often been so coy about sex and sexuality! We cannot understand our humanity without them. It's perhaps even stranger because the Bible is anything but coy when... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0852346611
• ISBN13: 9780852346617
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: EP BOOKS
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.7" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Love and Marriage Advice from the Song of Solomon

On a quick web-search one can discover the description of the general Puritan view of sex within marriage including: Sex was to be "robust and healthy," sex was "meant to be exuberant," and they were "enthusiastic about sex within marriage." As Thomas Gataker noted concerning the Puritan notion of marriage: "There is no society more near, more entire, more needful, more kindly, more delightful, more comfortable, more constant, more continual, than the society of man and wife, the main root, source, and original of all other societies." Rev. C. Pronk asserted: "Contrary to popular opinion the Puritans had a healthy view on marriage and human sexuality. True, the Puritans were strongly opposed to adultery and every form of sexual immorality, but this does not mean that for that reason they had warped views on human sexuality. Many people simply assume that the Puritans were sexually inhibited and repressive, but anyone willing to do some research in this area will be surprised to learn what the Puritans really believed on the subject. Increasingly, scholars are admitting--sometimes reluctantly--that the Puritans were very positive in their evaluation of the institution of marriage and the joys experienced within the bonds of matrimony." "They do err," says Puritan William Perkins, "who hold that the secret coming together of man and wife cannot be without sin unless it be done for the procreation of children." "A Biblical Guide to Love, Sex and Marriage" is a volume designed to encourage and guide married couples to form a sturdy, passionate union based on Gods' word as a reflection of the Lord's love for His bride. Herein Derek Thomas provides a fine exposition of many powerful truths mined from the glorious Old Testament book the Song of Solomon. The author avoids a mere allegorical interpretation (although many fine scholars throughout history have affirmed that an allegorical interpretation is justified) for a more natural elucidation. Through the Song of Solomon Thomas helps the reader understand: - what is real love - how sex should operate within marriage - how a married couple can increase passion and intimacy - how biblical marriage mirrors Christ's love for His bride the church (Ephesians 5). If you are perplexed because much of the church avoids teaching and proclaiming the great delight of the sexual union within the marriage covenant, then this book is for you. This very readable volume provides: - an appendix of numerous historical interpretations of the Song Solomon - a directory of suggested resources for supplementary study - helpful application for couples to develop spiritual, emotional, and physical aspects of love to help strengthen and perk up their marriage. This potent resource may not be an explicit guide for positions, skill, and bodily method, but it is an outstanding exposition of scriptural advice on increasing the joy of sex within marriage for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom. Song of

A Great Introduction to Song of Solomon

Though it has been thousands of years since it was written, and though countless people have made valiant attempts to decipher it, it seems as though we are no closer than ever to reaching a consensus regarding the Song of Solomon. Should it be read literally, as a poem that deals with love and sex? Or is this only a superficial meaning beneath which we will find a whole world of allegorical meaning pointing us to Christ? Or might it be some combination of the two, where it speaks both literally and allegorically? Christians continue to disagree. In A Biblical Guide to Love, Sex and Marriage, a book geared primarily, I suppose, to married or engaged couples, Derek Thomas offers his understanding of Song of Solomon. By the book's title you will know that he offers a literal reading. He asks the reader to keep three things in mind: first, that Song of Solomon is a book about love, marriage and sex; second, that in teaching us about intimate relationships in marriage, it helps us understand how marital union reflects Christ's relationship to the church corporately, and the believer individually (though he argues that this is not its primary intent; third, he reminds the reader that Song of Solomon, strange and difficult though it may seem, is God's inspired and inerrant Word and must be treated as such. "The Holy Spirit thought it necessary that we be given these love poems to teach and exhort us to love more deeply the one he has provided to share our lives with." Through eight chapters, then, Thomas provides some exposition of the Song and a good deal of valuable application. An excellent appendix offers information about the historical interpretations of the book and a list of recommended resources for further study. Though it seems clear that the content of this book arose from a teaching series, it does not read as a collection of sermons. Instead, it reads as a collection of wise advice from a man (and his wife) who have been married for over three decades. Using Song of Solomon as his text, he shares biblical wisdom on an always-difficult topic. It certainly widened my understanding of this portion of Scripture and gave me much to meditate upon as I think about my own marriage. I was glad to see that Thomas did not treat the Song of Solomon as if it is a book of sexual technique, meant to guide us step-by-step in the bedroom. I've often read interpretations of each of the poem's elements that use it to defend all kinds of behavior, good or bad, and I'm quite sure this is often done at the expense of a fair reading. This book offers nothing in the way of technique but much in the way of the big picture. Also, while Thomas insists on a literal interpretation of the Song, he does not go into any great or graphic detail. He remains cautious and dignified, focusing more on the aspects of love and marriage than on pure sexuality. A Biblical Guide to Love, Sex and Marriage is a short book and one that is easy to read, both as a "Christian living