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| Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality | 
 enlarge | Author: Rob Bell
Publisher: Zondervan
Category: Book
List Price: $14.99
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Avg. Customer Rating:  102 reviews
Sales Rank: 2115
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 208
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.7 x 0.7
ISBN: 0310280672
Dewey Decimal Number: 248
EAN: 9780310280675
ASIN: 0310280672
Publication Date: July 1, 2008
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| Customer Reviews:
 Not quite there July 30, 2007
37 out of 40 found this review helpful
This is my first book to read by Rob Bell and it will probably be my last. It's not a bad book, but Bell just seems to be an inch off of the target. I would read two or three pages and be able to follow his reasoning and then he would hit a point that just was off in left field. I know a lot people like him, maybe because he makes this strange and, at times, unbliblical statements (or at least riding the fence) that make you just stratch your head.
Certain things like where he says that in the Old Testament sex meant you were married because when I man raped a girl he had to marry her. From here he makes the conclusion that God may not be against cohabitation if the cohabitors are sincere and loyal to one another. He said it this way, "sex, in the ancient world, was marriage." I just see that as unbiblical because for the very reason that the link between marriage and sex was severed the man must now be forced to recognize and respect that link. It is not about having sex is equal to being married; it is that marriage and sex are connected and when you separate them and deny this connection, you deny their sacred nature of both. It is things like this in almost every chapter where he is a little off.
One more instance is where he says that being sexual is being intimate or connected with another. I like what Rich Mullins said much better when he said that we have made the mistake in this generation to think that to be intimate with somebody we must have sex; Christ was very intimate with people but he never had sex. I think what Bell is doing is taking the word "sexuality", which in it has the implication of connection, and saying that being sexual is not about physicality. With Bell's definition a logical conclusion would be that Jesus was very sexual even though he never had sex. Again I think it may just be Bell trying to be controversial and changing the connotation of the term "sexual" and thus raising some eyebrows. If you want a good book on Christianity and sex look elsewhere ("Real Sex" by Lauren Winner or something), he just doesn't quite get it I think.
Philip
 Sex God Reviewed February 13, 2007
23 out of 31 found this review helpful
It seems that every experience I have with Rob Bell's work - whether his book, a speaking engagement of some sort, or a Nooma video - is a rejuvenating experience. His latest, Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections Between Sexuality and Spirituality, is no exception.
First of all the cover art is beautiful. I adore the way they have presented this work. Zondervan did a great job, even as far as carrying the look through to the book's related tour website. I love simple artwork when it comes to communication (one of the missions of my business, as well) and both of Bell's books have pulled this off so far. I can't explain exactly how they do it - part of me doesn't want to know - but every time I pick up this book I am excited. It just feels cool.
Maybe I'm going a little overboard.
I don't want to give a chapter-by-chapter analysis of Bell's work. I have a couple reasons - one being that I don't know that I have the energy (nor creativity) to take on a summary of each chapter. I also don't think I can do his work justice. Bell did the work. Go buy it and find out.
Seriously, go.
Here's why.
When Bell says "sexuality" he isn't using the first definition that comes to your mind. More specifically, he isn't only using that definition. He uses sexuality in its broader, more complete definition; sexuality is found in our connections with other people. Realizing this, his book is much more about relationships than it is about the act of sexual intercourse. He does cover the act of sex, but he also talks about friendships, agape love, and handling heartache.
Bell discusses how we can appreciate our self-worth through the story of Jacob and Esau. He also examines the ancient Jewish understanding of heaven and hell. He looks into difficult Old Testament stories like the one of Amnon and Tamar in 2 Samuel. He takes many fresh looks into the Genesis account, particularly involving the role of the woman. He explores the love and adventure of love through the Song of Songs. In a refreshing move he explains the idea of "mutual submission" in marriage. Bell draws connections between the marriage of a man and woman in the Jewish culture and God brining His people out of Egypt in the Exodus (this was one of my favorite parts). In light of this he presents a particular view on the Ten Commandments.
Excited yet?
These are some of the bullet-point-esque tabs I have sticking out of my copy of the book right now. While I read Sex God I kept sticky-notes nearby to stick onto the front of sections that I wanted to be able to easily find later.
Bell does a wonderful job of interweaving personal stories and scriptural teaching. His use of the Greek and Hebrew languages in his explanation give a particularly unique insight and can make me look at a story I've heard a thousand times as if it is the first time I've heard it. I love that.
Sex God has rejuvenated me. Bell speaks very inspirational words. He also, as usual, challenged me. He dropped in pieces of knowledge here and there that give me more of an appreciation for historical education. I want it. I see its value. It drives me to tear through his suggested reading list and absorb everything I can about Jewish culture and scriptural interpretation.
Sex God was a great read. If you have similar interests as I do - or similar desires - read this book. If nothing else Bell's method of incorporating ancient cultures into his interpretation of scripture will give you something to aspire to. If you desire to see the Church (global) of God mature and find itself in this new culture - by reaching back to its roots - then read this book.
I hope Bell helps to show you how YHWH is your Sex God.
 whatever October 23, 2007
21 out of 30 found this review helpful
After reading both Velvet Elvis and Sex God, I have gone from an interested reader and even fellow questioner to putting Rob and his post-modern messages on the shelf, perhaps on their way out the door. "Culturally relevant" he may be; "biblical" is still open for discussion... or is that questioning??? If I could give Rob, and therefore the readers of his books, one caution, it would be - Don't be so open-minded that your brains, or your soul, falls out.
style over substance June 22, 2007
19 out of 23 found this review helpful
I'm not a strong Rob bell fan so for those of you who are fans, no offence. Some of his Nooma videos I like, some I don't.
The book has not so much to do with sex, only indirectly. he spends time talking about the dignity of the human body and that we have deeper issues in our souls...
Bell is an extremely gifted communicator who tells stories which are profound, though not nearly as profound as Bell tries to make them out to be. At the end of a chapter one feels moved, but upon reflection when I asked myself what he actually said or what I learned the answer was...very little.
Great style, little substance.
Divine Yet Sexy January 22, 2008
17 out of 20 found this review helpful
This was an incredibly poetic book. Bell didn't really get into sex as we commonly think of it in American society, or even how Christians should address sex, like Smedes does in Sex for Christians. Rather he goes to what sex actually is.
And that's really the point of the book. Sex isn't an act that you do. It isn't an adjective describing a fine looking woman. It's feeling comfortable in your body. It's that combination of soul and body that only we (humans) possess.
Many books of course discuss this, pointing out how wrong it is to objectify women, and how sex can be something holy, an act of worship, for Christians don't think little of sex, but rather they think incredibly highly of it. Bell does something else here though, and it's a bit indefinable. Using scripture, interviews, and his own experiences, he awakens in me a new understanding of the reality of agape love when applied to eros, of how to truly love a woman, and be loved in return. In large part this is because of the use of prose-poetry, where he gets at the gut of the subject, rather than simply the skin. Bell shows us, seemingly for the first time, that sex really is only a poor imitation of the eternal relationship with God.
This was a book you have to drink in, and that slowly, contemplating and ruminating on all it has to offer. I've come across only one other book that reaches these heights - Songs of Songs. And truly, Sex God is a Song of Songs updated for the 21st Century.
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