• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Anchored in Christ

KevinHalloran.net

  • Home
  • About Me
    • Contact
  • Popular Posts
  • Speaking
  • Resources
    • The Gospel
    • Free Prayer Tools
    • 100+ Book Recommendations for Christians
    • 100+ of the Best Christian Biographies
    • 250+ Free Online Seminary Classes, Courses, Programs, and Book Recommendations
    • Accessible Theology Book Series
  • When Prayer Is a Struggle
  • Videos
  • Español

Kevin / February 27, 2019

Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story 

In his early twenties, Christopher Yuan (who is now a professor at Moody Bible Institute) found himself in prison for dealing drugs. He was a practicing homosexual. After finding a Bible in a trash can, he opened it and began to read because he had nothing better to do. Over time God transformed his heart. Yuan told his story in Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God. A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope.

Yuan’s newest book is Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story. His biblical theological approach helps us understand how we were made, how sin warps God’s intentions for us, how Christ is the answer, and how sexuality ultimately points to our glorious future in Christ. Yuan’s approach is not only biblical and effective, it is extremely encouraging.

As a former gay man, Yuan knows the issues of sexuality and their underlying struggles well. He knows the root of so much sin are identity and meaning issues, things only resolved when we take God’s view of us and understand our worth as made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26–28). He then moves through the Bible storyline as it relates to matters of sexuality, same-sex struggles, singleness, marriage, sanctification, the church, and finishes with several practical chapters sharing how to relate to friends and family members different than us.

I found Holy Sexuality and the Gospel to be a breath of fresh air. Yuan skillfully and appropriately explains how the Bible story relates to sexuality and what it means for each of us. He also dismantles false views many claiming the name of Christ import from psychology or other non-biblical frameworks. The result is an accessible book that is theologically precise, tremendously encouraging, and practically helpful for a variety of people thinking through issues of sexuality for themselves or with a loved one. Let me share just one example of how he dismantles common false arguments:

To attempt to justify human same-sex relationships by referring to the “natural” occurrence of homosexuality among animals reflects a low anthropology in which humans are no different from beasts. It’s quite simple: don’t take your moral cues from animals. After all, some animals cannibalize each other and even eat their own young! (20)

While I recommend this book to every Christian, I suspect singles, those struggling with same-sex attraction, or those with a gay loved one will value it the most. The eight-session study guide will provide fruitful fodder for small group conversations. If I were a youth pastor, I would seriously consider working through this book as a youth group since so many of today’s identity issues and sin struggles deal with sexuality.

I loved Holy Sexuality and the Gospel and will probably read again. (Or listen to the audiobook again. Yuan even reads it himself.) If you don’t believe me about the utility of this book, perhaps others will convince you:

“In Dr. Christopher Yuan’s Holy Sexuality and the Gospel, you are holding in your hands the most important humanly composed book about biblical sexuality and godly living for our times.” —Rosaria Butterfield in the foreword

“Holy Sexuality and the Gospel is profoundly relevant in an age of toxic confusion. It should be read by every person questioning their sexual identity as well as by every pastor, parent, friend, or sibling.” —Randy Alcorn

“When it comes to sexuality, singleness, and marriage, we need all the good books we can get. And we certainly need this book from Christopher Yuan.” —Kevin DeYoung

Buy Holy Sexuality and the Gospel on Amazon.

Listen to this interview on the ERLC’s Countermoves podcast.

Watch the book trailer:

Hear Dr. Yuan speak on the topic

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Friendly

Related Posts

  • The Key to Understanding the Sexual Wisdom of ProverbsThe Key to Understanding the Sexual Wisdom of Proverbs
  • Freedom of Conscience in a Virtueless Society: Os Guinness on the Eric Metaxas ShowFreedom of Conscience in a Virtueless Society: Os Guinness on the Eric Metaxas Show
  • Four Ways Christians Need to Respond in Love to the Supreme Court Decision on Same-Sex MarriageFour Ways Christians Need to Respond in Love to the Supreme Court Decision on Same-Sex Marriage
  • Pursuing God, Not Pornography: Sermon on 2 Timothy 2:22Pursuing God, Not Pornography: Sermon on 2 Timothy 2:22
  • A Powerful Sermon on Sexual AbuseA Powerful Sermon on Sexual Abuse

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Print

Filed Under: Books & Reviews Tagged With: Marriage and Relationships, Sexuality

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Now Available in Paperback, Kindle, and Audiobook

Recent Posts

  • When You Fear God Doesn’t Hear Your Prayers
  • Top Links for January 2022
  • God’s Sovereignty Should Fuel Prayer, Not Hinder It
  • The Best of 2022
  • What does “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” mean?
  • Top 10 Books I’ve Read in 2022
  • A Free Worksheet to Organize Your Prayer Life
  • Pray the Bible: A Free Video Course on Prayer
  • Recommended Links for November 2022
  • Book Briefs (Fall 2022)

Blog Sponsors

Blog Categories

Bible & Theology Books & Reviews Christian Living Culture Evangelism Humor Leadership Life Links Marriage & Relationships Ministry Missions Prayer Quotes Resources Social Media & Technology






Footer

About Me

I serve with Open the Bible. I wrote When Prayer Is a Struggle: A Practical Guide for Overcoming Obstacles in Prayer (P&R). Learn more about the book.

Learn More

Let’s Connect!

Follow me on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me on Instagram

Subscribe to my channel on YouTube

Videos: When Prayer Is a Struggle

FTC Disclosure of Material Connection: I sometimes share affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through a link, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you to cover blogging expenses.

Copyright © 2023 · Digital Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.