What do you think?
Rate this book
A Celebration Of Sex: A Guide to Enjoying God's Gift of Sexual Intimacy
Reclaim the Bible-based concept of marriage as a satisfying one-flesh relationship. A bestselling and definitive guide to marital intimacy for Christian couples, learn how to deepen sexual pleasure and enjoy God’s gift of sexual intimacy with your spouse.
It can be difficult to find biblically based sexual advice. A licensed psychologist and family therapist, Dr. Douglas Rosenau answers specific and often unasked questions about sexual topics, presenting married couples with detailed techniques and skills to deepen their sexual pleasure and improve their marriages.
In this easy-to-read guide, Dr. Rosenau covers topics
Building a biblical foundation of knowledge about sexual intimacyEnhancing pleasure and enjoying passionate intimacyOvercoming common hurdlesResolving problems and healing brokennessGrounded in Scripture and written by a pioneer of Christian sex therapy, A Celebration of Sex is comprehensive, direct, and honest, treating sex with the respect it deserves and a Christ-like foundation. An excellent tool for premarital education and counseling, it’s a must-read for Christian spouses.
It can be difficult to find biblically based sexual advice. A licensed psychologist and family therapist, Dr. Douglas Rosenau answers specific and often unasked questions about sexual topics, presenting married couples with detailed techniques and skills to deepen their sexual pleasure and improve their marriages.
In this easy-to-read guide, Dr. Rosenau covers topics
Building a biblical foundation of knowledge about sexual intimacyEnhancing pleasure and enjoying passionate intimacyOvercoming common hurdlesResolving problems and healing brokennessGrounded in Scripture and written by a pioneer of Christian sex therapy, A Celebration of Sex is comprehensive, direct, and honest, treating sex with the respect it deserves and a Christ-like foundation. An excellent tool for premarital education and counseling, it’s a must-read for Christian spouses.
407 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2002
165 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 6, 2022
Hvor får man god, kristen seksualundervisning i 2022, som ikke bare toucher overflaten? Svaret er denne boka. Kindle sier at jeg bruker drøyt 18 timer på å lese den, og det sier noe om hvor omfattende den er og hvor lang tid jeg har brukt på den. Den er innom mange temaer, og stort sett alle kapitlene er veldig bra. Jeg har lært mye! Denne boken er en ressurs!
March 28, 2024
Comprehensive, but detailed! This books steals away the shame of sex and exploration through intimacy with your spouse. It addresses common hang ups (like history of abuse) with such grace and love. I wish every couple could read this book ✨
July 16, 2025
Initially I thought that this book was going to suck, turns out the problem was with me. This book slaps and will be returned to multiple times in my life. I believe that there are chapters from which everyone will benefit
March 4, 2024
A must for christians who are getting married
March 25, 2019
Great tool to use as a reference resource on a variety of topics. Has been useful in our marriage as well as when giving Biblical counsel in marriage ministry and other friends.
December 5, 2021
Overall, a good book for heterosexual Christian couples. The author is a licensed sex therapist with many years of experience helping couples with real sexual problems. This is not a book of his opinions, as many Christian living books are. It is refreshing to finally read a Christian book on this topic written by someone with actual expertise. Far too many pastors have fancied themselves as qualified to write a sex manual simply because they're married and have had sex.
Negatives: The book is about 20 years old and does need updating. Rosenau references new research (at the time he wrote it) that indicates women are better at multitasking than men and men are better at focusing on a single task. He states that this is a pro & con for both, as it can leave men unable to notice important cues in their environment and relationships and it makes women very distractible. In the last twenty years, however, further research has shown this not to be true. Women are not naturally better at multitasking than men, they simply have to learn to do it and humans get better at what they practice. Being able to focus on a single task is not an inmate skill, it is a luxury. The reason women are so often distracted during sex is the same reason they are often too tired to fully enjoy sex-- when a couple has children, mothers get less sleep than fathers, mothers have many times more mundane tasks to remember, coordinate, and execute, and mothers bear the social consequences of perceived bad housekeeping and/or parenting far more than fathers do. His chapter on same-sex attraction was also extremely outdated and problematic. Both of these problems in book are not the fault of the author, as he did have preliminary research to support his statements, but it is important for the reader to know that better research does not support what is in the book. The third negative is far more serious. This book emphasized consent for all sexual activity, which is fantastic. Rosenau emphasized that if you cannot say no, you cannot truly say yes. Far too many Christian books insist that a wife cannot say no and I was very glad to see this book does not. However, this book did nothing to address the spouse whose no is not accepted. He did tell both spouses they must accept no as no, not just regarding frequency but also about specific sexual acts that one person finds painful, degrading, or distasteful. But he didn't address what to do if the coercion continued.
Positives-- this book covers a LOT of topics, from disability, pregnancy, ageing, previous sexual abuse/assault, and various sexual dysfunctions. Many sexual positions and techniques are discussed. Differences in arousal and libido are discussed. Sexual integrity is heavily emphasized and the responsibility for maintaining sexual integrity is placed squarely on the shoulders of the individual, as it should be. No excuses were made for either spouse when sexual integrity is breached.
Overall, a great book. I would love to see an updated edition.
Negatives: The book is about 20 years old and does need updating. Rosenau references new research (at the time he wrote it) that indicates women are better at multitasking than men and men are better at focusing on a single task. He states that this is a pro & con for both, as it can leave men unable to notice important cues in their environment and relationships and it makes women very distractible. In the last twenty years, however, further research has shown this not to be true. Women are not naturally better at multitasking than men, they simply have to learn to do it and humans get better at what they practice. Being able to focus on a single task is not an inmate skill, it is a luxury. The reason women are so often distracted during sex is the same reason they are often too tired to fully enjoy sex-- when a couple has children, mothers get less sleep than fathers, mothers have many times more mundane tasks to remember, coordinate, and execute, and mothers bear the social consequences of perceived bad housekeeping and/or parenting far more than fathers do. His chapter on same-sex attraction was also extremely outdated and problematic. Both of these problems in book are not the fault of the author, as he did have preliminary research to support his statements, but it is important for the reader to know that better research does not support what is in the book. The third negative is far more serious. This book emphasized consent for all sexual activity, which is fantastic. Rosenau emphasized that if you cannot say no, you cannot truly say yes. Far too many Christian books insist that a wife cannot say no and I was very glad to see this book does not. However, this book did nothing to address the spouse whose no is not accepted. He did tell both spouses they must accept no as no, not just regarding frequency but also about specific sexual acts that one person finds painful, degrading, or distasteful. But he didn't address what to do if the coercion continued.
Positives-- this book covers a LOT of topics, from disability, pregnancy, ageing, previous sexual abuse/assault, and various sexual dysfunctions. Many sexual positions and techniques are discussed. Differences in arousal and libido are discussed. Sexual integrity is heavily emphasized and the responsibility for maintaining sexual integrity is placed squarely on the shoulders of the individual, as it should be. No excuses were made for either spouse when sexual integrity is breached.
Overall, a great book. I would love to see an updated edition.
May 6, 2025
Obviously this book is the longer version of his Celebration of Sex for Newlyweds, but unless you want help with a few specific things, I’d skip this book and read The Gift of Sex by the Penners instead for a longer read on the subject.
This book has an informal, fun tone that fits the subject (but still that overuse of “mate” – oh well). In addition to sex information newlyweds would need, he has many common problem sections. Some are similar to other books, some of different. What’s different that would make this book worth your time if you wanted coverage of particular topics? Entire chapters devoted to: aphrodisiacs, massage, disabilities, and affair proofing your marriage.
Copied from my Newlywed review:
“The book covers erogenous zones, includes directions for oral sex, and discourages masturbation (is it adding to or taking away from marital intimacy). And his formula… Intimate marriage + mature lovers = fulfilling sex life… I just don’t like the mature word. I know what he’s trying to get at encompassing lots of ideas about respect, caring, give and take, etc. but I think a better word to use would have been ATTENTIVE lovers.
“The book presents sex as something fun and intimate and reserved for marriage. It has some ideas for increasing pleasure and several non-standard sex positions (be careful who might be looking over your shoulder, though, there’s some explicit—though tastefully done—line drawings of said positions).”
Like the Newlywed version, there’s lots of advice to seek counseling often and early. (Just read The Empowered Wife by Laura Doyle instead.)
The most annoying part of the book, though is that he stretches to some weird theology at times. Jesus is “femaleness” because he wanted to protect and nurture? Ummmmm…. He also says that men should become more like women and vice versa. Umm, no. And not theology, but what the heck does “Great sex takes place in the child state of the ego” even mean?!?
This book has an informal, fun tone that fits the subject (but still that overuse of “mate” – oh well). In addition to sex information newlyweds would need, he has many common problem sections. Some are similar to other books, some of different. What’s different that would make this book worth your time if you wanted coverage of particular topics? Entire chapters devoted to: aphrodisiacs, massage, disabilities, and affair proofing your marriage.
Copied from my Newlywed review:
“The book covers erogenous zones, includes directions for oral sex, and discourages masturbation (is it adding to or taking away from marital intimacy). And his formula… Intimate marriage + mature lovers = fulfilling sex life… I just don’t like the mature word. I know what he’s trying to get at encompassing lots of ideas about respect, caring, give and take, etc. but I think a better word to use would have been ATTENTIVE lovers.
“The book presents sex as something fun and intimate and reserved for marriage. It has some ideas for increasing pleasure and several non-standard sex positions (be careful who might be looking over your shoulder, though, there’s some explicit—though tastefully done—line drawings of said positions).”
Like the Newlywed version, there’s lots of advice to seek counseling often and early. (Just read The Empowered Wife by Laura Doyle instead.)
The most annoying part of the book, though is that he stretches to some weird theology at times. Jesus is “femaleness” because he wanted to protect and nurture? Ummmmm…. He also says that men should become more like women and vice versa. Umm, no. And not theology, but what the heck does “Great sex takes place in the child state of the ego” even mean?!?
August 25, 2017
One of the very best Christian Counseling and Love guides out there by far; Rosenau covers a broad range of a little everything all the way from communication to foreplay to science to message to sex. In addition Rosenau covers information of psychological and physiological factors, the guidance of being a true romantic, scriptures to better open up dimensions of desire in a justified way. Much more broad ranges I refuse to give out because the simple fact is all Christians and non-Christians should have this book; illustrations (drawings) are carried out through certain topics to better accommodate an understanding of the concepts explained. Finally a true guide that not a rip-off! A superior book not to be put to side; in many ways once you purchase this book as I have you'll know that majority of the book to your standards are 98% correct so it's definitely worth adding to your collection! Honesty this book I would recommend to others, because it's fundamental to knowledgeable science and biblical truth. It doesn't mislead people into thinking there limited on various sex plays, but when married Rosenau does point out there are no limits to mature love and sex! That's highly important. Sincerely, John Shelton Jones
August 29, 2024
Thorough explanation of physical intimacy and sex. Lots of information for multiple situations.
Could stand some updating, but there are some great things with consent that are definitely before their time.
Could stand some updating, but there are some great things with consent that are definitely before their time.
September 7, 2021
Great practical book for couples to deepen and grow their sexual intimacy. Good book for couple work in both a therapy and church setting.
August 15, 2022
Highly recommend for married couples to deepen their connection and intimacy the way God designed!
May 8, 2025
for school!
November 16, 2025
My friend summed it up this way: "It seems like he was horny the entire time he was writing this book. It makes me feel gross."
While I did not have a reaction that averse, he does seem to pick out some things that are hyper-specific to his preferences, attempting to generalize it. Not married, only read it for a counseling class.
While I did not have a reaction that averse, he does seem to pick out some things that are hyper-specific to his preferences, attempting to generalize it. Not married, only read it for a counseling class.
September 25, 2024
Among Christians we have quite the, well, predicament, when it comes to information about sexuality.
Custom leads to resistance to discussing sexuality publicly, especially in any detailed way. There’s an expectation parents should be having conversations with their children. Functionally what this means is that the only time sexuality gets mentioned in public church contexts is to condemn forms of sexually deviant behavior, and not a few young people enter into marriage with almost no clue whatsoever about sex and how it is supposed to work.
At no point should we be doing sexual education from the pulpit or in the Bible classroom, although it would not hurt for there to be better reinforcement of how sex was made as good by God and has its appropriate role and place in these contexts. Even if parents and children have good, healthy relationships, conversations about sexuality are going to be awkward. Who wants to learn explicit instructions about sexuality and its mechanics from their parents?!?
So we naturally turn to books talking about sexuality from a Christian perspective. There’s a lot out there, and most of it is not good. Far too much of it proves more patriarchal than Biblical.
But thankfully there is A Celebration of Sex: A Guide to Enjoying God’s Gift of Sexual Intimacy by Dr. Douglas Rosenau.
The work is certainly expansive. It covers romance, intimacy, erogenous zones, sexual positions, addressing the mess, aphrodisiacs, fantasy, communication, massage, common difficulties, and various specific challenges, often written by specialists in the areas of those challenges (infertility, age, disability, etc.). The author also addresses how to heal or manage forms of brokenness and finding ways back to a healthy sexuality.
The author understands how both men and women can and should be sexual beings in marriage relationships; as the title would indicate, he wants people to celebrate sex in marriage. To this end this book is a great resource for Christians about to get married and Christians who are married at any and all phases of marriage. It is certainly the most comprehensive single resource I have seen on the subject. I highly recommend it as a resource to help inform Christians about these matters so often shrouded in ignorance.
Custom leads to resistance to discussing sexuality publicly, especially in any detailed way. There’s an expectation parents should be having conversations with their children. Functionally what this means is that the only time sexuality gets mentioned in public church contexts is to condemn forms of sexually deviant behavior, and not a few young people enter into marriage with almost no clue whatsoever about sex and how it is supposed to work.
At no point should we be doing sexual education from the pulpit or in the Bible classroom, although it would not hurt for there to be better reinforcement of how sex was made as good by God and has its appropriate role and place in these contexts. Even if parents and children have good, healthy relationships, conversations about sexuality are going to be awkward. Who wants to learn explicit instructions about sexuality and its mechanics from their parents?!?
So we naturally turn to books talking about sexuality from a Christian perspective. There’s a lot out there, and most of it is not good. Far too much of it proves more patriarchal than Biblical.
But thankfully there is A Celebration of Sex: A Guide to Enjoying God’s Gift of Sexual Intimacy by Dr. Douglas Rosenau.
The work is certainly expansive. It covers romance, intimacy, erogenous zones, sexual positions, addressing the mess, aphrodisiacs, fantasy, communication, massage, common difficulties, and various specific challenges, often written by specialists in the areas of those challenges (infertility, age, disability, etc.). The author also addresses how to heal or manage forms of brokenness and finding ways back to a healthy sexuality.
The author understands how both men and women can and should be sexual beings in marriage relationships; as the title would indicate, he wants people to celebrate sex in marriage. To this end this book is a great resource for Christians about to get married and Christians who are married at any and all phases of marriage. It is certainly the most comprehensive single resource I have seen on the subject. I highly recommend it as a resource to help inform Christians about these matters so often shrouded in ignorance.
January 23, 2015
Very enlightening.
I have never read a book written by a Christian, from a biblical perspective, and directed at believers that tackles sexuality had on. Not only is it educational, but it helps negate the negative stereotypes of sexuality that permeate the Christian world...and it dies so with the inclusion of extremely graphic descriptions and explanations.
I have never read a book written by a Christian, from a biblical perspective, and directed at believers that tackles sexuality had on. Not only is it educational, but it helps negate the negative stereotypes of sexuality that permeate the Christian world...and it dies so with the inclusion of extremely graphic descriptions and explanations.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews