Sex, Sushi, and Salvation: Thoughts on Intimacy, Community, and Eternity

by Christian Timothy George

Jumping from adventure to adventure, Christian George takes the reader from a fear of life's turbulent experiences to a confidence that comes from knowing God. Through seemingly random but progressively connected stories, the three deepest hungers of the human heart are unearthed: the drive for intimacy, the comfort of community, and the expectation of eternity.

Genres: Nonfiction

129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[h · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sigh… This was an easy read, and at times enjoyable. However, overall I simply cannot in good conscience give this anything higher than two stars, and frankly I’m on the fence about whether that’s too generous. I didn’t enjoy it so much as I enjoyed dissecting it with my partner. For one, the author constantly paraphrases Bible verses and shoehorns them in to fit his argument while completely divorcing them from their original contexts. Additionally, the flow of writing is almost impossible to follow. By the time I’d finish a section and he’d call back to the beginning, I’d have forgotten what his main point was and simply be confused. The overabundance of sexual metaphors just for the sake of shock value didn’t help either. Additionally, I simply cannot agree with such a forceful, violent take on religion. The first 2/3 or so were interesting enough, but by the end I simply could not get behind this idea of Christians as bullets in God’s chamber who need to sacrifice their children for Christ. Once the author recounted a story of brutally, actively killing his pet hamster as a child, only to use this as some sort of “well we’re all born depraved with venom in us but that’s why Jesus Christ forgives!!” gotcha, I just could not take anything the author said seriously after that. Also, and this might be nit-picky, but the title is also once again just using buzzwords to grab attention. Sex really has nothing to do with the book besides gross metaphors that don’t even make sense, and sushi is used as a weird metaphor that the author tries to shoehorn in to make the title relevant but really adds nothing to his argument (if every mention of sushi were removed from this book, nothing would change). Overall this was fun to pick apart with my partner, but I found it poorly written and morally dubious.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was collection of stream-of-consciousness thoughts.... interesting, encouraging, and thought-provoking.

[Gloria E Meunier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proverbs 30 v 7 to 9
&
Though I cherish The Blood of The Lamb scripture song
Revelation 12 v 11 is significant too.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many people want something more out of life than just the right sneakers or an ipod. For them, feelings of intimacy, community and eternity are much more important. Here is one person’s attempt to find such things in daily life.

The author was part of a mission trip to Russia to set up a summer camp for local orphans. While he was there, he was propositioned by a Russian prostitute. He declined her offer, and she ran away in tears. She later told him that he was the first person to ever say no to her. In high school, he, along with several others in his class, was inconsiderate to a female classmate who was unprepared for a test. Two hours later, she was dead in an auto accident.

A young man from a rich family went on a pilgrimage to Rome. Tired of a life of partying, he took a lifelong vow of poverty. The family was not pleased, but he stuck with it, despite many attempts to bring him back to "reality". The young man became St. Francis of Assisi. God’s creation is always better than man’s creation; one day, the author was flying a radio controlled airplane. It was attacked by a hawk, and eventually crashed.

Everyone bows down to, or worships, something, whether it’s God, music, fashion or the human intellect. Cathedrals, whether plain or gaudy, all point to the past. They encourage visitors to see God in all His glory.

This book is recommended for anyone, religious or not-so-religious, who is looking for a relationship with God. It does a good job of showing how faith can be found in the mundane things of everyday life.

[Amanda Birdwell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I almost never give books a one rating if I actually bothered to finish them, and I feel badly doing this now, because the author seems ernest and nice. However, consider the following:

1. "Sushi holds me accountable in a way and prompts me to keep God at my center". (108)

2. "No one is good, not even a six year old boy... We humans are born with venom in our veins, injected by our great ancestors Adam and Eve and confirmed every time we lie or cheat". (143-144)

3. "Christ isn't an impotent Husband who needs Viagra to accomplish his will." (77)

4. Re: sending children to dangerous places to be missionaries: "The world needs parents who love God more than their children." 164

If the above quotes strike you as something other than word salad, and blanket endorsements of Mark Driscoll and repeated, uncomfortable sexual metaphors work for you, then you will probably enjoy this book.

[Natalie]

Very good so far (started it and sent it to my sister for her birthday) - I love the vivid artistry and even poetry that the words have when conveying the pitfalls, beauty, and challenges of expressing, recognizing, and experiencing the gospel. True to the reviews - it has many life-slices that are not explicitly, but nevertheless, are connected around deep themes of intimacy, community, and eternity.

[Emmanuel Boston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A raw and rugged expression of the Christian faith. Backing away from overused cliches and euphemisms, George connects with contemporary culture in a way that gives God reverence and gives society relevance. An excellent writer that is able to effectively illustrate a portrait of these essentials of the faith effortlessly. Not the deepest read in the world, but one well worth anyone's time. It vividly projects Christianity in unexpected ways. Pick it up today.

[Keith Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written work that hold the reader's attention. George's style is engaging and entertaining. The content is doctrinally sound, thought provoking, convicting, and raw. This not a work about younger evangelicals, rather this is a book for younger evangelicals. An excellent blend of the old and the new. A great read that I will read again this year.

[Sam Boychuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

All right, popcorn read. Really about intimatcy and community more than anything else. In small chapter sized servings - it would make a good plane read (Unless you like planes as much as me and need a more man sized book like the entire New Testament)

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Christian George's writing style. It's engaging and funny. Yet he's strikingly profound in some moments. It's all about the human insatiable desires for intimacy, community, and eternity. Good read.

[Jonathan Elwing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great read -- reminds me of Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz but wrapped in a modern yet 1st century church approach to theology. The whole book challenges you to examine your relationship with God and the Church. Would highly recommend this!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the weird title, this is an excellent Christian nonfiction book that is partly spiritual memoir and partly theological but down-to-earth discussion. It is a brilliantly written and is often highly funny as well as thoughtful and informative. I really enjoyed it.

[Mary Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

this guy is a friend of mine....so go buy the book!

[Stephenie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and easy read that gives you a lot to think about. I loved the way George wove together stories of modern day culture with a desire to know Christ in a deeper, more authentic way.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Good food for thought.

[Ashanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

refreshing, i yearn for more!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book, the title caught me - the writing kept me. Read it. It is refreshingly said.

[Kate Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lots of cliches, no substance, trying to shock the reader, fear of sexuality...I need a shower.