Redeeming Pleasure: How the Pursuit of Pleasure Mirrors Our Hunger for God

by Jeremy Jernigan

Jeremy Jernigan, pastor of the twelve-thousand member Central Christian Church in Phoenix, Arizona, shows readers how to redeem pleasure from a culture that abuses it in ways God never intended.

Genres: Christian Non Fiction, Christian

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2015

About the author

Jeremy Jernigan is a writer, speaker, and recovering megachurch pastor. After two decades in full-time ministry, including serving as a Lead Pastor, he now focuses on helping people rebuild their faith after it breaks. He’s the author of The Edge of the Inside, and he hosts the weekly Rebuilding Faith series and the biweekly Cabernet and Pray podcast. He also hosts an online community where listeners and readers continue the conversation together. Jeremy lives in Arizona with his wife and five kids.

Reviews

[Kathryn Winenger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Redeeming Pleasure was a good book. There were some things I disagreed with Jeremy on but overall this would be a book that would be great for a new believer or a nonbeliever who is interested in learning about God. Jeremy talks about how pleasure drives our actions and what if we lived a life following God and the way that He designed pleasure for His people. He addresses topics such as sex, substances, family, jobs and our culture and how our culture has inappropriately abused these things and how God designed them for us to have maximum pleasure when we are seeking Him first. It is a book that made me think and really analyze his beliefs on certain things.

[Jon Kidwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this "post modern" generation, the terms "seeking pleasure" and "seeking God" are often considered to be mutually exclusive. However, pastor and author Jeremy Jernigan takes the reader outside the proverbial box. He addresses a number of issues that challenge the church of today. Creation theology, homosexuality in the church, parenting, entertainment, among others.

The message contained within is man's pursuit of these things "of the flesh" demonstrates how we seek pleasure to fill various voids in life that are ultimately fulfilled only by the pleasure of a real relationship with Jesus Christ.

"Redeeming Pleasure" isn't necessarily a title that would jump into my hands from the shelf of my local Christian bookstore. However, Pastor Jernigan offers some compelling arguments across the range of topics. While Jernigan's theology is more liberal than my own, I still appreciate his zeal. This is a well-researched volume and fairly presented with strong scriptural support.

In this regard, for those seeking a new view of the relationship between seeking pleasure and seeking God, I can commend this work to you.

I received an advance reader's copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for a fair, honest and timely review. There are no other ties or expectations from the publisher, author or this reviewer.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very intriguing book indeed. Challenged my way of thinking and really helped me understand how to approach people from seeing their point of view.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. I am paying it forward by passing this book along to a business organization that offers business skills, hope, and dreams to be used in their ministry.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. I am paying it forward by passing this book along to a business organization that offers business skills, hope, and dreams to be used in their ministry.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The act of pursuing pleasure does not grant it. Only through pursuing pleasure as designed do we ever fully taste it.”

A solid read about submitting to God’s way of finding pleasure in our earthly lives, about not missing out on the unparalleled GREAT we can have in Him.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will give this a thoughtful review later.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Review to come. ***Please note I received this book for free from Goodreads- First reads.