Authentic Human Sexuality: An Integrated Christian Approach

by Judith K. Balswick, Jack O. Balswick

Overview

Sex pervades our culture, going far beyond the confines of the bedroom into the workplace, the church, and the media. Yet despite all the attention and even obsession devoted to sex, human sexuality remains confusing and even foreboding. What, after all, is authentic human sexuality? That is the question Judith and Jack Balswick set out to answer in this wide-ranging and probing book. Informed by sociology, psychology, and theology, the Balswicks investigate how human sexuality originates both biologically and socially. They lay groundwork for a normative Christian interpretation of sexuality, show how authentic sexuality is necessarily grounded in relationships, and explore such forms of "inauthentic sexuality" as sexual harassment, pornography, and rape. Since its first publication, Authentic Human Sexuality has established itself as a standard text at numerous colleges and seminaries. Now this third edition features updated theological and social science research, insights from current neuropsychological evidence, and an expanded biblical model of authentic sexual relationships, along with updated discussion of sexual minorities, same-sex attraction, and LGBTQ issues. A new generation of students, pastors, psychologists, and sociologists engaged in counseling will be indebted to the Balswicks for this study of an endlessly fascinating and perplexing facet of human identity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830852376
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	09/03/2019
Edition description:	Third Edition, Revised, Third Edition
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	866,079
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Judith K. Balswick (Ed.D., University of Georgia) is professor of marriage and family therapy and director of clinical training at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. She is author or coauthor of The Family: A Christian Perspective on the Contemporary Home, The Gift of Gender, Mothers and Daughters Making Peace, Relationship-Empowerment Parenting, The Two-Paycheck Marriage and Authentic Human Sexuality.

Jack O. Balswick (Ph.D., University of Iowa) is both professor of sociology and family development, and director of marriage and family research at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He has been associate editor of the Journal of Family Issues since 1982. He is author or coauthor of several books, including Men at the Crossroads, The Gift of Gender and Authentic Human Sexuality.

Table of Contents

List of Figures vii

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xi

Part 1 The Formation of Sexuality

1 Authentic Sexuality: God's Good Gift 3

2 Human Sexuality: A Sociocultural Context 15

3 Human Sexuality: An Interactive Developmental Model 29

4 Sexual Minority Identity Formation 57

5 The LGBTQ Community: Christian Responses 71

Part 2 Authentic Sexuality

6 Sexual Beings in Relationship 89

7 Sexuality and Singleness 103

8 Premarital Cohabitation: Pathway Toward or Alternative to Marriage 131

9 Marital Sexuality: Maximizing Sexual Fulfillment 147

Part 3 Inauthentic Sexuality

10 Infidelity: A Broken Covenant 165

11 Sexual Harassment: Uninvited Eroticization 179

12 Sexual Abuse: A Violation Deep Within the Soul 195

13 Rape and Sexual Violence: Abusive Power 211

14 Pornography and Erotica 225

15 Sexual Addiction, Sexual Compulsivity, and Hypersexuality 239

Part 4 Conclusion

16 The Sexually Authentic Society 255

References 267

Subject Index 289

Scripture Index 291

What People are Saying About This

Mimi Haddad

"Authentic Human Sexuality is by far the best book I've read on this topic in decades. Seminary educators at the forefront of marriage and family research, Jack Balswick and Judy Balswick bring decades of social science and biblical wisdom to their analysis of today's sexual norms. Exploring a wide range of contemporary issues—including sexual orientation and gay marriage, singlehood, cohabitation, marriage, and divorce—the Balswicks evaluate each according to its impact on human flourishing, especially concerning children. Their content on sexual harassment, porn, and abuse is indispensable. Significantly, Authentic Human Sexuality also offers a robust critique of male dominance and its affront to human flourishing and authentic human sexuality. Whether pastors, students, or just life-long learners, readers will value this careful review of the ethical and spiritual issues Christians face in discerning the meaning of authentic human sexuality and how it shapes our communities."

Dr. Clifford and Joyce Penner

"Authentic Human Sexuality is an impressive, valuable resource for students, professionals, and all who are interested in keeping abreast of the ever-changing social issues regarding sexuality while holding solidly to biblical truths. The statistics are current, the approach is a Christlike open-arms warmth, and the content is engaging. This book is essential to understanding human sexuality in today's world."

Editorial Reviews

"Authentic Human Sexuality is by far the best book I've read on this topic in decades. Seminary educators at the forefront of marriage and family research, Jack Balswick and Judy Balswick bring decades of social science and biblical wisdom to their analysis of today's sexual norms. Exploring a wide range of contemporary issues—including sexual orientation and gay marriage, singlehood, cohabitation, marriage, and divorce—the Balswicks evaluate each according to its impact on human flourishing, especially concerning children. Their content on sexual harassment, porn, and abuse is indispensable. Significantly, Authentic Human Sexuality also offers a robust critique of male dominance and its affront to human flourishing and authentic human sexuality. Whether pastors, students, or just life-long learners, readers will value this careful review of the ethical and spiritual issues Christians face in discerning the meaning of authentic human sexuality and how it shapes our communities."

Mimi Haddad

"Authentic Human Sexuality is an impressive, valuable resource for students, professionals, and all who are interested in keeping abreast of the ever-changing social issues regarding sexuality while holding solidly to biblical truths. The statistics are current, the approach is a Christlike open-arms warmth, and the content is engaging. This book is essential to understanding human sexuality in today's world."

Dr. Clifford and Joyce Penner