Sex Sells, Even in Christian Bookstores
There's been no shortage of Christian books on the topic of sex in recent months, and Christians across the United States are buying them up in order to spice up their marriages.
DeeperCalling Media (DCM), an online Christian bookstore supplier and Christian product retailer, reports "sizzling sex book sales" among Christian bookstores, indicating that Christians are not as "prude" as they are sometimes thought to be.
"We have been astounded by the marked increase in the sales of Christian Books on the topics of Sex. It's clear that in tough economic times people are seeking ways to improve their lives through better relationships with those closest to them," said Joe Kerr, marketing manager for DCM, in a statement.
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"People often think of Christians as being prudish and wanting to avoid open talk about sex. But nothing could be further from the truth," he added. "Christians are demonstrating a healthy interest in the topics of sex and marriage."
Among the top-sellers for DCM are the books Intended for Pleasure: Sex Technique and Sexual Fulfillment in Christian Marriage by Ed and Gaye Wheat, and Red Hot Monogamy: Making Your Marriage Sizzle by Bill and Pam Farrel.
Popular megachurch pastors like Ed Young and Mark Driscoll also recently released titles of their own which address the topic of sex in a very direct manner.
In Mark Driscoll's book, Real Marriage: The Truth About Sex, Friendship, and Life Together, which he co-wrote with his wife, Grace, Driscoll addresses which sexual acts are and are not permissible in a marital relationship, and covers other traditionally taboo topics like pornography and sexual abuse. While some have given the book raving reviews, some critics say it is too explicit and places too much emphasis on sex in the marriage relationship.
Young's book, Sexperiment: 7 Days to Lasting Intimacy With Your Spouse, which he co-wrote with his wife, Lisa, encourages couples to participate in the challenge of having sex for seven consecutive days. The ultimate goal of the book, and the challenge, however, is to help them gain a lasting sense of intimacy with one another that makes an impact on their relationship beyond the bedroom.
In January, Young told The Christian Post that the response to his book was mostly positive, although some Christians have said that he is too crass.
"The only negative stuff you get is from the super spiritual crowd who look down upon believers who talk about something that God is not shy about," said Young.
Ironically, the DCM statement says, the "hottest thing out there" in terms of Christian books are Amish Fiction books, and "there is probably nothing less sexually suggestive than a Christian romance novel about Amish women." Still, books about sex are selling well, and Kerr said it is good that Christians are addressing the topic.
"Christians are uniquely qualified to address the subject of human sexuality," Kerr said in an email to CP. "We have [the Bible], written by the foremost expert on the subject. In the book He outlines the origin of human sexuality, the reasons for human sexuality, the outcome of the abuse of human sexuality, and the proof of the results when His plan is followed."
Jon Sanders, lead pastor of The Rescue Church in Flandreau, S.D., is in the middle of teaching a five-week sermon series called, "Let's Talk About Sex." He read Young's book as part of his research on the topic, and he thinks it is positive that pastors are talking more about biblical sex.
"I think that's a good thing because God was not embarrassed to create sex and say a lot about it in His Word," Sanders said in an email to The Christian Post on Friday.
He later added, "MTV, Hollywood, and Oprah aren't afraid to talk to us about sex. It's pretty much been the Church that has remained silent for far too long while we've allowed the world to shape our thinking on a subject that God has spoken to."
