Venus and Virtue

Venus and Virtue are a match made in heaven. While popular culture often tends to think of Christianity as negative about sexuality and sexual pleasure, the fact is that Christians have the best of reasons to joyfully celebrate sex as a gift. Unfortunately, there is as much confusion about sex in Christian circles as there is in the culture at large. The authors of this book believe that this confusion can only be adequately addressed by drawing from the deep wells of biblical truth and traditional theology. The writers, however, are not only experts in biblical scholarship, theology, and philosophy, but also pastoral ministry, counseling, pop culture criticism, and women's issues. This book is not sexy in the typical sense of that word, but by situating sexuality within the cosmic drama of biblical revelation, the true beauty and goodness of sex most clearly emerges. And as that beauty emerges, we can begin to see why Christian morality not only makes profound sense, but also why it positively enriches the meaning of sex in ways that far outstrip the sexy secular alternative.Jerry Walls, Jeremy Neill, and David Baggett are to be commended for bringing together such an impressive array of highly qualified authors to produce this important volume on sexual ethics. Readers of Venus and Virtue: Celebrating Sex and Seeking Sanctification will appreciate the pastoral tone as well as the serious thinking that is evident in the efforts to engage our secular and sexualized culture through the lenses of a theologically-informed worldview. One need not agree with all of the authors, who at times do not even agree among themselves, in order to find help and value in this resourceful book and its attempt to address these controversial and often contentious issues. I know that others will join me in expressing gratitude for the thoughtful contributions found in this volume, which explore the implications for a thoroughgoing Christian ethic in light of the current cultural challenges for our day. --David S. Dockery, President, Trinity International UniversityDavid Baggett is Professor of Philosophy in the Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Jeremy Neill is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Houston Baptist University. Jerry L. Walls is a Professor of Philosophy at Houston Baptist University.