Book Review: Sex, Lies & Religion by Randy Elrod

Through art, literature, Biblical analysis and cultural mores, Randy Elrod reveals in his new book, Sex, Lies & Religion, that we have been lied to about our sexuality. God’s truth, according to Elrod, is that spiritual and sexual redemption is experienced through communion with God.

As in, Holy Communion (yes, the one you take in church) is like an orgasm. Sound a little bit like inviting your in-laws to join your date night, as you watch a Demi Moore flick from the early ‘90s, wearing lingerie and feeding your husband grapes? Awkward. But that’s part of the lie – Elrod says — that our sexuality is something to be ashamed of, hidden or feared.

Elrod breaks down what the church has historically told believers about sex and abstinence, where we’ve believed it or rebelled against that in art and literature, what our cultural now says and what the Bible really says.

Especially refreshing is the unabashed discussion of sexuality, including what few Christians can write about without tongue-in-cheek humor, so to speak, or relegating any specifics to a quick paragraph like an afterthought. On the same page as Bible scholars’ viewpoints on oral sex, Elrod asserts, “We must also actively study scripture to understand Christ’s motivation in order to imitate Him in our own sexual communion.” That brings “What Would Jesus Do?” to a new dimension. I think we might just see a comeback to those bracelets.

Elrod is spot on in revealing lies about sexuality and in proclaiming freedom, which can only come from a relationship with God through Christ. God wants to give us abundant life and the desires of our hearts, and within the context of marriage, that does include a healthy, vibrant sex life.

Disclosure of Demi Moore reference: Elrod did not suggest inviting your in-laws to any such date night. I do not either.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from cre:ate 2.0 Publishing to read and post a review on my site. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255