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Sex in a Broken World: How Christ Redeems What Sin Distorts
"A pastorally sensitive and theologically informed book.” ―Gerald Hiestand, Senior Associate Pastor, Calvary Memorial Church; Executive Director, The Center for Pastor Theologians We live in a deeply broken world . . . but there is hope. Sexuality is a fundamental part of what it means to be human―part of God’s beautiful design when he created all things. And yet, sex in our world today looks nothing like the way that God intended it to be. Sexual brokenness surrounds us and, in one way or another, affects us all. This sexual brokenness reveals our deep need for redemption―something quick fixes, mere behavior modification, or a set of rules can’t provide. Honest and direct yet kind and caring, this book points us to the only place we can find help for sexual brokenness―the transforming grace of Jesus Christ. Only this grace offers hope for a life of freedom, purity, and joy as God intended.
192 pages, Paperback
Published January 31, 2018
143 people are currently reading
1011 people want to read
About the author
Paul David Tripp
133 books1,425 followersPaul was born in Toledo, Ohio to Bob and Fae Tripp on November 12, 1950. Paul spent all of his growing years in Toledo until his college years when his parents moved to Southern California.
At Columbia Bible College from 1968-1972, (now Columbia International University) Paul majored in Bible and Christian Education. Although he had planned to be there for only two years and then to study journalism, Paul more and more felt like there was so much of the theology of Scripture that he did not understand, so he decided to go to seminary. Paul met Luella Jackson at College and they married in 1971. In 1971, Paul took his first pastoral position and has had a heart for the local church ever since. After college, Paul completed his Master of Divinity degree at the Reformed Episcopal Seminary (now known as Philadelphia Theological Seminary) in Philadelphia (1972-1975). It was during these days that Paul’s commitment to ministry solidified. After seminary, Paul was involved in planting a church in Scranton, Pennsylvania (1977-1987) where he also founded a Christian School. During the years in Scranton, Paul became involved in music, traveling with a band and writing worship songs. In Scranton, Paul became interested in biblical counseling and decided to enroll in the D.Min program in Biblical Counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Paul then became a faculty member of the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (CCEF) and a lecturer in biblical counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Paul has also served as Visiting Professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
In 2009, Paul joined the faculty of Redeemer Seminary (daughter school of Westminster) in Dallas, Texas as Professor of Pastoral Life and Care.[1]
Beginning in June, 2006, Paul became the President of Paul Tripp Ministries, a non-profit organization, whose mission statement is "Connecting the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life." In addition to his current role as President of Paul Tripp Ministries, on January 1, 2007, Paul also became part of the pastoral staff at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA where he preached every Sunday evening and lead the Ministry to Center City through March, 2011 when he resigned due to the expanding time commitments needed at Paul Tripp Ministries.
Paul, Luella, and their four children moved to Philadelphia in 1987 and have lived there ever since. Paul is a prolific author and has written twelve books on Christian living which are sold internationally. Luella manages a large commercial art gallery in the city and Paul is very dedicated to painting as an avocation.[2] Paul’s driving passion is to help people understand how the gospel of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ really does speak with practical hope into all the things they will face in this broken world. Paul is a pastor with a pastor’s heart, a gifted speaker, his journey taking him all over the world, an author of numerous books on practical Christian living, and a man who is hopelessly in love with Luella.
At Columbia Bible College from 1968-1972, (now Columbia International University) Paul majored in Bible and Christian Education. Although he had planned to be there for only two years and then to study journalism, Paul more and more felt like there was so much of the theology of Scripture that he did not understand, so he decided to go to seminary. Paul met Luella Jackson at College and they married in 1971. In 1971, Paul took his first pastoral position and has had a heart for the local church ever since. After college, Paul completed his Master of Divinity degree at the Reformed Episcopal Seminary (now known as Philadelphia Theological Seminary) in Philadelphia (1972-1975). It was during these days that Paul’s commitment to ministry solidified. After seminary, Paul was involved in planting a church in Scranton, Pennsylvania (1977-1987) where he also founded a Christian School. During the years in Scranton, Paul became involved in music, traveling with a band and writing worship songs. In Scranton, Paul became interested in biblical counseling and decided to enroll in the D.Min program in Biblical Counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Paul then became a faculty member of the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (CCEF) and a lecturer in biblical counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Paul has also served as Visiting Professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
In 2009, Paul joined the faculty of Redeemer Seminary (daughter school of Westminster) in Dallas, Texas as Professor of Pastoral Life and Care.[1]
Beginning in June, 2006, Paul became the President of Paul Tripp Ministries, a non-profit organization, whose mission statement is "Connecting the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life." In addition to his current role as President of Paul Tripp Ministries, on January 1, 2007, Paul also became part of the pastoral staff at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA where he preached every Sunday evening and lead the Ministry to Center City through March, 2011 when he resigned due to the expanding time commitments needed at Paul Tripp Ministries.
Paul, Luella, and their four children moved to Philadelphia in 1987 and have lived there ever since. Paul is a prolific author and has written twelve books on Christian living which are sold internationally. Luella manages a large commercial art gallery in the city and Paul is very dedicated to painting as an avocation.[2] Paul’s driving passion is to help people understand how the gospel of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ really does speak with practical hope into all the things they will face in this broken world. Paul is a pastor with a pastor’s heart, a gifted speaker, his journey taking him all over the world, an author of numerous books on practical Christian living, and a man who is hopelessly in love with Luella.
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January 16, 2018
Imagine you’re a stranded early 20th century pedestrian on a back road of Georgia, and you need to get to Atlanta in a hurry. Suddenly a man comes along and says, “You can’t do it on your feet! But guess what, you can use a car! A car can get you there!” Delighted, you say, “Great! How do I operate a car?” But instead of teaching you to drive, the man just goes on and on about how powerful the car is, and how beautiful the car is, and the fact that it can carry you great distances, without really mentioning how to put the key in the ignition and put the gas pedal into action.
As someone who has struggled significantly with sexual sin—particularly in my early years as a Christian—this is how I would have felt after reading Paul Tripp’s latest book, Sex in a Broken World: How Christ Redeems What Sin Distorts.
Let me explain.
It must be stated that there are many things in this book that Tripp does well. For example, there is certainly no book about sex in the Christian market in which God features so prominently. Naturally other Christian volumes take God into good account, but Tripp represents God as big, personal, and ever present. God’s character and motivations are always in view, and no one could escape this read without understanding that Tripp is fully convinced that God in Christ is full bodied and our only hope.
God is that only hope not merely because he is so grand, but because we are so wretched. Tripp walks his readers slowly and convincingly through biblical and real-world evidence that we are our biggest problem when it comes to sex. This is a point that needs to be underlined for most conservative Christians, who love to publicly and privately hand wring over the depravity of the world around us in 2018. Tripp wants to pop this bubble with good-old fashion theological anthropology: we are sinners, and everything we touch we break, no matter our circumstances.
Tripp works wonders here because he doggedly pursues the root of sexual sin, which is ultimately a rejection of God’s authority over us. He works logically through to bring this point out as self-evident by the end. He begins with a rejection of the sacred/secular dichotomy that compartmentalizes sexual behavior, and shows how sex is always a contingent set of acts related to all of a person’s life. Because it is, just like any part of life it must be exercised in God’s way, which is fundamentally relational. Tripp in fact doubles down on this last point, to great effect.
By the closing of the book, the reader has been exposed to dozens of realistic stories of sexual problems, thoughtful biblical theology, and many, many expressions of the gospel truth that only God can save us from our “sexual insanity,” Tripp’s rallying cry. So how does it fall so flat?
While Tripp is explicit about the fact that we are our own problem, and that only taking hold of the gospel can transform us, but he fails at explaining how—just like the fictional man praising the car to the pedestrian. For a book to get theology so right yet miscarry on application is heartbreaking. Tripp rebukes us for being so individualistic in our view of sex, but in the end, he’s as helplessly individualistic in his presentation of sanctification.
What do I mean by individualistic? Simply that he affirms that a believer must grasp on to God’s truths as revealed in His word, but he says nothing of service about the other two things Jesus has given us to actualize these promises: His Spirit and His church. Learning a truth can truly be life-changing, but what about when we know a truth that doesn't seem to be penetrating our hearts? God is not limited, he can work with reflection questions at the end of chapters. But he has given us so much more in the Spirit and in each other. So while Tripp doesn't mean to, he will leave many with a functional white-knuckling through sexual sin, despite his good intentions. This is tragic.
There is another way that the book disappoints, which would have been unnoticed fifteen years ago but is inexcusable in 2018: it does not in any way speak to the goodness of God’s design of sexual complementarity nor to the challenges that same-sex attracted believers face, save a one sentence mention of a woman attracted to women near the end of the book. It feels as if the topic is an afterthought to Tripp, which is a luxury the church can’t afford right now. We have failed those in the church who are sexually broken in this way by ignoring them, why perpetuate this? Tripp had such an opportunity to paint a picture of God’s grandness in sex in this area, and he declined.
I have no doubt that Paul Tripp loves Jesus with all his heart and has been a great service to many people in the body of Christ. I have no doubt that this book will sell and encourage. But Tripp can do better—and the church must say so.
*I received an advance digital copy of this book from Crossway for reviewing purposes*
As someone who has struggled significantly with sexual sin—particularly in my early years as a Christian—this is how I would have felt after reading Paul Tripp’s latest book, Sex in a Broken World: How Christ Redeems What Sin Distorts.
Let me explain.
It must be stated that there are many things in this book that Tripp does well. For example, there is certainly no book about sex in the Christian market in which God features so prominently. Naturally other Christian volumes take God into good account, but Tripp represents God as big, personal, and ever present. God’s character and motivations are always in view, and no one could escape this read without understanding that Tripp is fully convinced that God in Christ is full bodied and our only hope.
God is that only hope not merely because he is so grand, but because we are so wretched. Tripp walks his readers slowly and convincingly through biblical and real-world evidence that we are our biggest problem when it comes to sex. This is a point that needs to be underlined for most conservative Christians, who love to publicly and privately hand wring over the depravity of the world around us in 2018. Tripp wants to pop this bubble with good-old fashion theological anthropology: we are sinners, and everything we touch we break, no matter our circumstances.
Tripp works wonders here because he doggedly pursues the root of sexual sin, which is ultimately a rejection of God’s authority over us. He works logically through to bring this point out as self-evident by the end. He begins with a rejection of the sacred/secular dichotomy that compartmentalizes sexual behavior, and shows how sex is always a contingent set of acts related to all of a person’s life. Because it is, just like any part of life it must be exercised in God’s way, which is fundamentally relational. Tripp in fact doubles down on this last point, to great effect.
By the closing of the book, the reader has been exposed to dozens of realistic stories of sexual problems, thoughtful biblical theology, and many, many expressions of the gospel truth that only God can save us from our “sexual insanity,” Tripp’s rallying cry. So how does it fall so flat?
While Tripp is explicit about the fact that we are our own problem, and that only taking hold of the gospel can transform us, but he fails at explaining how—just like the fictional man praising the car to the pedestrian. For a book to get theology so right yet miscarry on application is heartbreaking. Tripp rebukes us for being so individualistic in our view of sex, but in the end, he’s as helplessly individualistic in his presentation of sanctification.
What do I mean by individualistic? Simply that he affirms that a believer must grasp on to God’s truths as revealed in His word, but he says nothing of service about the other two things Jesus has given us to actualize these promises: His Spirit and His church. Learning a truth can truly be life-changing, but what about when we know a truth that doesn't seem to be penetrating our hearts? God is not limited, he can work with reflection questions at the end of chapters. But he has given us so much more in the Spirit and in each other. So while Tripp doesn't mean to, he will leave many with a functional white-knuckling through sexual sin, despite his good intentions. This is tragic.
There is another way that the book disappoints, which would have been unnoticed fifteen years ago but is inexcusable in 2018: it does not in any way speak to the goodness of God’s design of sexual complementarity nor to the challenges that same-sex attracted believers face, save a one sentence mention of a woman attracted to women near the end of the book. It feels as if the topic is an afterthought to Tripp, which is a luxury the church can’t afford right now. We have failed those in the church who are sexually broken in this way by ignoring them, why perpetuate this? Tripp had such an opportunity to paint a picture of God’s grandness in sex in this area, and he declined.
I have no doubt that Paul Tripp loves Jesus with all his heart and has been a great service to many people in the body of Christ. I have no doubt that this book will sell and encourage. But Tripp can do better—and the church must say so.
*I received an advance digital copy of this book from Crossway for reviewing purposes*
December 30, 2022
As relevant and urgent as ever, Sex In A Broken World unashamedly confronts the topic of human sexuality in a culture that separates it from Godly love. Frank and tragic, Tripp paints a dismal picture of how a profound misuse of sexuality damages people and destroys relationships. Fortunately, we are supplied with Biblically-backed words of wisdom for understanding Godly sexuality in a way that soothes the weary heart, restoring hope in the unceasing love of the ever-forgiving Lord Almighty.
However, the book is repetitive, at times dull, a few chapters too long and often tedious.
However, the book is repetitive, at times dull, a few chapters too long and often tedious.
February 26, 2018
Whether we know it or not, every human being lives in search of a savior. We are all propelled by a quest for identity, inner peace, and some kind of meaning and purpose. And we all look for it somewhere. Here's the bottom line: looking to creation to get what only the Creator can give you always results in addiction of some kind. The thing you hoped would serve you pulls you into its service. What seemed like freedom ends up being bondage. The thing is not the problem, what you've asked of it is.
What do you think of when you hear the word sex? Does it make you uncomfortable? Does it make you excited? Does it bring shame? God did create sex to give us a joy in the boundary of marriage and he did so with very good reason. The problem is not sex itself but with each of us. How we view sex reflects so much on the person we are. Sex can be used as a weapon, a form of manipulation, of pain and of shame. Sex can dehumanize when it was created to bring humans in existence.
The text gives you the contrast of the good of sex and the bad. However, this is not so much of do not but a better way and most importantly why. As a Christian, it is important for us to understand the doctrine of sex. To be honest, it can be the undoing of our faith and who we serve.
There must be understanding of the sovereignty of sex. Does it belong to us or to God? Is your stance, it is my body or do you guard the use of your body the way you guard what comes into your heart and mind. Again, this is not a matter of don't but do. Don't watch the TV show but have a game night instead. Don't give into flirtation at the office, but give your spouse the encouragement she/he needs from you.
Tripp in his counseling has seen it all and he uses example after example how we can get caught up in the broken world. He reminds every day whom he serves and why and invites us to do the same. We are all in the same battle.
Some of the quotes that I found encouraging.
Only when God is in his rightful place as the unchallenged Master of our hearts will everything else in our lives be in its appropriate place. When something else replaces him, insanity and chaos of some kind always result.
Your bible begins with these four worlds. In the beginning God. (Gen 1:1, and with those words everything in life is given its shape, purpose, and meaning.
So sex is not a-religious thing. Sex is deeply spiritual. Your relationship to your own sexuality and the sexuality of others always reveals your heart. Your sexual life is always an expression what you truly worship. Sex is deeply religious. In sex you are either self-consciously submitting to God or setting yourself up as God. In other words, sex is never simply a horizontal thing. Sex always connects you to the God who created your body, gave you eyes to see and a heart that desires and tells you how are to steward this aspect of your personhood.
We live in sex crazed world and I think we always have. It has been hidden at times but it is always there. Sex is meant to glorify God and in glorifying God, we have true peace and rest. Highly recommend.
A Special Thank You to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
What do you think of when you hear the word sex? Does it make you uncomfortable? Does it make you excited? Does it bring shame? God did create sex to give us a joy in the boundary of marriage and he did so with very good reason. The problem is not sex itself but with each of us. How we view sex reflects so much on the person we are. Sex can be used as a weapon, a form of manipulation, of pain and of shame. Sex can dehumanize when it was created to bring humans in existence.
The text gives you the contrast of the good of sex and the bad. However, this is not so much of do not but a better way and most importantly why. As a Christian, it is important for us to understand the doctrine of sex. To be honest, it can be the undoing of our faith and who we serve.
There must be understanding of the sovereignty of sex. Does it belong to us or to God? Is your stance, it is my body or do you guard the use of your body the way you guard what comes into your heart and mind. Again, this is not a matter of don't but do. Don't watch the TV show but have a game night instead. Don't give into flirtation at the office, but give your spouse the encouragement she/he needs from you.
Tripp in his counseling has seen it all and he uses example after example how we can get caught up in the broken world. He reminds every day whom he serves and why and invites us to do the same. We are all in the same battle.
Some of the quotes that I found encouraging.
Only when God is in his rightful place as the unchallenged Master of our hearts will everything else in our lives be in its appropriate place. When something else replaces him, insanity and chaos of some kind always result.
Your bible begins with these four worlds. In the beginning God. (Gen 1:1, and with those words everything in life is given its shape, purpose, and meaning.
So sex is not a-religious thing. Sex is deeply spiritual. Your relationship to your own sexuality and the sexuality of others always reveals your heart. Your sexual life is always an expression what you truly worship. Sex is deeply religious. In sex you are either self-consciously submitting to God or setting yourself up as God. In other words, sex is never simply a horizontal thing. Sex always connects you to the God who created your body, gave you eyes to see and a heart that desires and tells you how are to steward this aspect of your personhood.
We live in sex crazed world and I think we always have. It has been hidden at times but it is always there. Sex is meant to glorify God and in glorifying God, we have true peace and rest. Highly recommend.
A Special Thank You to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
August 2, 2024
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8
August 12, 2024
So good. Some of the best commentary I’ve heard on this subject. Tripp gets to the heart of why sexual sin is really that bad, while still holding Christ to be full of grace and mercy. This book made me treasure Christ more.
February 28, 2018
Received an early copy for review.
Paul David Tripp is a fairly new author for me. I've never read a complete copy of his work, but I've seen bits and pieces from his book New Morning Mercies. When I saw this book, Sex in a Broken World, I knew I had to have as I had just watched three sermons that talked about sex outside of marriage. The truth of the matter is that sex happens in this day and age -- it sells, it's normal and people love it. However, God created sex for a specific use in a specific manner and the world has completely distorted it.
Paul dives into his personal issues with sex and he uses a lot of scripture references which is something I always look for when reading books like this. He doesn't just give his personal opinion, but he shares what God's Word says regarding our bodies and sex. He also goes into the core issue of our society regarding sexual sin and gives practical and Biblical ways to deal with it properly. For me this book did a lot of convicting and helped me see my own wrongs when it comes to sex.
This book is a great read and may definitely convict you of your own sexual sin. It sheds light into the darkness and allows you to find ways through God's Word to help yourself. Easy read and awesome scriptural references. Definitely recommend it.
Paul David Tripp is a fairly new author for me. I've never read a complete copy of his work, but I've seen bits and pieces from his book New Morning Mercies. When I saw this book, Sex in a Broken World, I knew I had to have as I had just watched three sermons that talked about sex outside of marriage. The truth of the matter is that sex happens in this day and age -- it sells, it's normal and people love it. However, God created sex for a specific use in a specific manner and the world has completely distorted it.
Paul dives into his personal issues with sex and he uses a lot of scripture references which is something I always look for when reading books like this. He doesn't just give his personal opinion, but he shares what God's Word says regarding our bodies and sex. He also goes into the core issue of our society regarding sexual sin and gives practical and Biblical ways to deal with it properly. For me this book did a lot of convicting and helped me see my own wrongs when it comes to sex.
This book is a great read and may definitely convict you of your own sexual sin. It sheds light into the darkness and allows you to find ways through God's Word to help yourself. Easy read and awesome scriptural references. Definitely recommend it.
November 18, 2021
Con sinceridad plena y profundidad teológica, Paul Tripp aborda en este libro uno de los pecados tabú de nuestra sociedad: La inmoralidad sexual. Es un indispensable, sea que luches con este pecado o no. El único problema, que ya es común en Tripp, es que repite sus ideas una y otra vez en diferentes palabras a los largo del libro y se puede volver algo tedioso a la hora de leer.
February 21, 2018
I don't often give a book more than four stars, this book is the rare exception. I gave it five stars because I feel that Paul David Tripp has clearly and concisely described the core issue behind sexual sin (among other sins) and a the way to properly deal with that sin. We have a tendency to seek fulfillment in creation instead of the Creator but, as Tripp says, "[e]very created thing is without the capacity to satisfy your heart. The created world was designed to point you where your heart will find its contentment and rest: in God and God alone. The sex insanity that harms and/or destroys our lives is the result of seeking from the creation what can only be found at the foot of the Creator."
I found this book to be informative, refreshing and easy to read. I highly recommend it (as can be seen by my star rating) and hope that many are blessed by this work.
I found this book to be informative, refreshing and easy to read. I highly recommend it (as can be seen by my star rating) and hope that many are blessed by this work.
February 22, 2024
Me encantó. Si bien lo inicié con altas expectativas por la recomendación de una hermana, superó muchísimo lo que esperaba de este libro.
Algo que me llevo de el es esta frase que tan repetidamente decía el autor: Solemos amar más la creación que al Creador.
Que gozo saber que en la lucha del pecado sexual, y no solo en el sino que en cualquier pecado, tenemos la esperanza de que Cristo vendrá a acabar con la maldad y a librarnos de nosotros mismos, y que seremos glorificados por Su Gracia y amor, que viviremos libres de este mundo caótico.
Todo lo creado me lleva a adorar al Creador, toda gloria que encuentre en el mundo es un pálido reflejo de toda la gloria que encuentro en Dios mismo.
Algo que me llevo de el es esta frase que tan repetidamente decía el autor: Solemos amar más la creación que al Creador.
Que gozo saber que en la lucha del pecado sexual, y no solo en el sino que en cualquier pecado, tenemos la esperanza de que Cristo vendrá a acabar con la maldad y a librarnos de nosotros mismos, y que seremos glorificados por Su Gracia y amor, que viviremos libres de este mundo caótico.
Todo lo creado me lleva a adorar al Creador, toda gloria que encuentre en el mundo es un pálido reflejo de toda la gloria que encuentro en Dios mismo.
April 30, 2025
Easily the BEST biblical counseling book on lust I’ve ever read. Highlights include: our lust problem is a problem with God’s ultimate authority and God is not against pleasure (He is only against it in the wrong context). Easily recommended to any serious-minded Christian who seeks to have victory over sin.
May 25, 2022
So good. So insightful. Thank you PDT!
October 24, 2023
Wonderful gospel saturated book.
August 5, 2018
An exploration into the "sexual insanity" of the present day and an attempt toward a way forward in Christ.
The author speaks to the difficulties and challenges manifest in understanding and practice of human sexuality today and considers it as insanity/craziness. He identifies the problem in a myriad of ways, ultimately speaking of it as idolatry and self-worship in self-sovereignty. He attempts to locate healthy sexuality in Christ and how it can glorify God in Christ. He concludes by reckoning counterfeit forms of sexuality today as its own form of impoverishment.
The author is not wrong in his assessments and in most of what he has to say. He speaks forthrightly and strongly at times to work through the pretenses and justifications a lot of people would offer and gets right to the heart of the issue in terms of self-sovereignty and self-will in sexuality in ways that would benefit many readers.
And yet...the tone of the book is almost uniformly negative and full of chastisement. The author's Calvinism is evident throughout; the tone of the conversation about sexuality manifests a total depravity perspective, and his final discussions of salvation are tinged with perseverance of the saints. It did not at all surprise me to see a Puritan quoted toward the end of the work; the whole book has a puritanical feel to its diatribe and presentation. I am sure the author quite sincerely and honestly wanted to speak of the benefits and positive nature of sexuality, and while it is done at many points in the work, any actual belief in anything positive about sexuality was lost in the overall harsh tone of the work. That framework also means that the work may help convict the believer but will not be found very persuasive to anyone else.
A work that might benefit some who profess Jesus but have been a bit hardened by sexual sin. Absolutely not recommended to help convict the unbeliever or for the young or overly impressionable; it might well backfire.
**--galley received as part of early review program
The author speaks to the difficulties and challenges manifest in understanding and practice of human sexuality today and considers it as insanity/craziness. He identifies the problem in a myriad of ways, ultimately speaking of it as idolatry and self-worship in self-sovereignty. He attempts to locate healthy sexuality in Christ and how it can glorify God in Christ. He concludes by reckoning counterfeit forms of sexuality today as its own form of impoverishment.
The author is not wrong in his assessments and in most of what he has to say. He speaks forthrightly and strongly at times to work through the pretenses and justifications a lot of people would offer and gets right to the heart of the issue in terms of self-sovereignty and self-will in sexuality in ways that would benefit many readers.
And yet...the tone of the book is almost uniformly negative and full of chastisement. The author's Calvinism is evident throughout; the tone of the conversation about sexuality manifests a total depravity perspective, and his final discussions of salvation are tinged with perseverance of the saints. It did not at all surprise me to see a Puritan quoted toward the end of the work; the whole book has a puritanical feel to its diatribe and presentation. I am sure the author quite sincerely and honestly wanted to speak of the benefits and positive nature of sexuality, and while it is done at many points in the work, any actual belief in anything positive about sexuality was lost in the overall harsh tone of the work. That framework also means that the work may help convict the believer but will not be found very persuasive to anyone else.
A work that might benefit some who profess Jesus but have been a bit hardened by sexual sin. Absolutely not recommended to help convict the unbeliever or for the young or overly impressionable; it might well backfire.
**--galley received as part of early review program
February 28, 2025
Ummm.... Okay.
I was strongly disappointed at the content of this book. When I first started reading, I thought that he made some great points. We do live in a broken world and sex is one of the most distorted parts of creation. Sin abounds in the sexual content and sexual focus of this world, even in areas where we wouldn't expect. And I appreciated that a Christian MAN included the objectification of women and sex (though the objection of men is equally as bad) as a distortion of what God intended for sex. I also appreciate that he spoke about the heart being the root of the problem.
But the author lost me about a third of the way through and the stars continued to be lost from there. This is for several reasons:
1. Lack of Hope: While the author insists on several occasions that the topics he is discussing shouldn't be a reason to lose hope, the entire book leave one feeling hopeless. Tripp suggests that we should not feel helpless because we should rest in the knowledge that we are not alone when we have God and that Jesus has paid it all. He even dedicates the entire last chapter trying to make that practical. However... after reading an entire book about how the world is full of temptations and that will never go away and we have sinful hearts that will always lead us astray, it falls a little flat.
2. Deindividuation: One of Tripp's main points is that sex should never be about oneself. While I understand the thought behind this (and I agree that sex for sex sake or one's own pleasure does not lead to a biblically sound sexual experience), Tripp seems to take this too far. Tripp's whole focus is on sex as an act of worship for God, removing one's own pleasure from it while also removing the love for creation from it. How this comes across is that one should remove the love for their partner, but also not make sex all about them. To view sex in this manner ignores several facts about sexuality and human creation. It does not take into account that God created sex to be enjoyed by his creation, even going so far as to give sexual organs that have no other purpose outside of pleasure when creating the human body. Additionally, it ignores the clear depiction of love and desire for one's partner shown in the Bible through Songs of Solomon.
3. No Ownership of One's Body: At one point, Tripp includes the statement "you do not have a right to your own body because your body doesn't belong to you." While I recognize that Tripp was referring to the way that God is the "owner" of all people, this phrasing and thought process has the potential to be harmful. First, God as the "owner" of our bodies implies a lack of freedom that s inherently given to mankind in the provision of free-will. Additionally, to suggest that one does not have a right to their own body, brings with it several pitfalls for consent or an individual's right to enforce their own boundaries. One could simply argue that God owns the body and they were told that it was okay by the owner when wanting to cross someone's boundaries.
4. "Sex Is Dangerous": In yet another example of a harmful sexual ethic that is being perpetrated, Tripp dedicates a section to repeating the statement "sex is dangerous" several times. In this section, while repeating the same phrasing, he indicates several areas in which sex is dangerous or some of the various dangers sex presents. This encourages a fear of sex that has plagued the Christian church for years and diminishes the view of sex as a "gift" from God.
5. Diminishing the Importance of Sex Education: Tripp posits regularly that more sexual education is not needed. He states that he believes most individuals are aware of anatomy and how sex works. As such, he doesn't think this is necessary. However, his claim ignores the reality of so many Christians who have been censored from any sexual education or content, leaving them naive and lost when this forbidden topic is suddenly introduced to them. Additionally, with the church's refusal to discuss sexuality in a Christian or Biblical context, it leaves young curios minds no choice but to educate themselves or rely on outside resources for education, leading them down paths mentioned by Tripp as some of the greatest pitfalls (lust, objectification, porn, etc.).
All in all, this book has been a large disappointment. I was hoping that find a refreshing read that discussed sexuality in a broken world from a Biblical context. However, what I was left with was the perpetuation of harmful sexual ethics that have plagued the Christian church for years in the form of ignorance and Purity Culture.
I was strongly disappointed at the content of this book. When I first started reading, I thought that he made some great points. We do live in a broken world and sex is one of the most distorted parts of creation. Sin abounds in the sexual content and sexual focus of this world, even in areas where we wouldn't expect. And I appreciated that a Christian MAN included the objectification of women and sex (though the objection of men is equally as bad) as a distortion of what God intended for sex. I also appreciate that he spoke about the heart being the root of the problem.
But the author lost me about a third of the way through and the stars continued to be lost from there. This is for several reasons:
1. Lack of Hope: While the author insists on several occasions that the topics he is discussing shouldn't be a reason to lose hope, the entire book leave one feeling hopeless. Tripp suggests that we should not feel helpless because we should rest in the knowledge that we are not alone when we have God and that Jesus has paid it all. He even dedicates the entire last chapter trying to make that practical. However... after reading an entire book about how the world is full of temptations and that will never go away and we have sinful hearts that will always lead us astray, it falls a little flat.
2. Deindividuation: One of Tripp's main points is that sex should never be about oneself. While I understand the thought behind this (and I agree that sex for sex sake or one's own pleasure does not lead to a biblically sound sexual experience), Tripp seems to take this too far. Tripp's whole focus is on sex as an act of worship for God, removing one's own pleasure from it while also removing the love for creation from it. How this comes across is that one should remove the love for their partner, but also not make sex all about them. To view sex in this manner ignores several facts about sexuality and human creation. It does not take into account that God created sex to be enjoyed by his creation, even going so far as to give sexual organs that have no other purpose outside of pleasure when creating the human body. Additionally, it ignores the clear depiction of love and desire for one's partner shown in the Bible through Songs of Solomon.
3. No Ownership of One's Body: At one point, Tripp includes the statement "you do not have a right to your own body because your body doesn't belong to you." While I recognize that Tripp was referring to the way that God is the "owner" of all people, this phrasing and thought process has the potential to be harmful. First, God as the "owner" of our bodies implies a lack of freedom that s inherently given to mankind in the provision of free-will. Additionally, to suggest that one does not have a right to their own body, brings with it several pitfalls for consent or an individual's right to enforce their own boundaries. One could simply argue that God owns the body and they were told that it was okay by the owner when wanting to cross someone's boundaries.
4. "Sex Is Dangerous": In yet another example of a harmful sexual ethic that is being perpetrated, Tripp dedicates a section to repeating the statement "sex is dangerous" several times. In this section, while repeating the same phrasing, he indicates several areas in which sex is dangerous or some of the various dangers sex presents. This encourages a fear of sex that has plagued the Christian church for years and diminishes the view of sex as a "gift" from God.
5. Diminishing the Importance of Sex Education: Tripp posits regularly that more sexual education is not needed. He states that he believes most individuals are aware of anatomy and how sex works. As such, he doesn't think this is necessary. However, his claim ignores the reality of so many Christians who have been censored from any sexual education or content, leaving them naive and lost when this forbidden topic is suddenly introduced to them. Additionally, with the church's refusal to discuss sexuality in a Christian or Biblical context, it leaves young curios minds no choice but to educate themselves or rely on outside resources for education, leading them down paths mentioned by Tripp as some of the greatest pitfalls (lust, objectification, porn, etc.).
All in all, this book has been a large disappointment. I was hoping that find a refreshing read that discussed sexuality in a broken world from a Biblical context. However, what I was left with was the perpetuation of harmful sexual ethics that have plagued the Christian church for years in the form of ignorance and Purity Culture.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2024
"If you can stare your personal sex insanity in the face and say, 'No problem, I can handle this,' then you are a person in deep spiritual trouble. Only when you are crushed by your poverty of desire, ability, and hope will you begin to get excited about the riches that are yours in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ." - Paul Tripp, Sex in a Broken World
Maybe the biggest big of sexual insanity for Christians is that we can look at the pervasiveness of sexual craziness around us and the sexual sin inside of us and think a) that we can solve the problem on our own (if so, why not do it by now?) or b) we despair at our own failures, give up, and wonder whether God loves us. This wonderful book by David Tripp underscored the insanity of both lies in my own life. The weightiness of my own sin was heavier here than it had ever been before because I realized that the primary problem with my sex life wasn't an inability to kick an addiction or to muster my own strength, but a completely rotten set of self-serving desires that only Christ can redeem. And because Christ actually has the power to redeem and the deep and abiding love that our hearts are after, the shackles of sexual sin lose their power. It's when we recognize a) our depravity and b) the unbelievable power of the gospel that we find hope. This book is remarkably simple--it doesn't go beyond core gospel truths. Yet it reminds us of our need to constantly teach and reteach these truths to ourselves because we are so, so quick to forget. If we really believe that we are forgiven and that sin is paid for, then there's no reason to hide--from God or from other believers.
Three of the book's major illustrations were particularly memorable for me:
- All of life, including our sexuality is worship. Worship practically includes bowing down, trusting, obeying, and serving.
- Romans 8:19-38. The world is broken and indeed groaning under the curse of sin. It's critical to realize that our own hearts are the depraved things that make it so. As long as we live here, the curse of sin is going to weigh on everything and suck and that should break our hearts. Yet in the gospel we have hope because none of that sin can separate us from the love of Christ and the present weight of our suffering in trials and temptations can even begin to compare to the eternity we have waiting for us. This is a battle text to come back to, especially when discouraged.
- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, which gives us four principles for worshipping well sexually. First, the principle of mastery--freedom from the law doesn't solve our sex problem because it's really a problem of mastery. The trouble is one of misplaced worship--we elevate sex to a place that God never intended for it to be; it's no wonder it destroys us! We are altogether too tempted to exchange masters. Second, the principle of eternity--we are hardwired for eternity. If we don't place our hope in the eternity that we are looking forward to, we will act like this world is the eternal reality and fill it with all of the pleasure we can find, destroying our view of sex. The principle of unity--we are united with Christ if we are Christians; it is of great hope and comfort that he is always with us but it also extremely convicting that every time we chose to sin sexually we are really saying that we place our own desires at such a high priority that we are okay with joining Christ with a prostitute. The principle of ownership - we were bought at a costly price with the Christ and we don't get to live on our own and make all our choices for our own glory. In each of these principles we fail and are reminded of our great need for the help that only the gospel can afford.
What I love most about this book is that its core, it is a book about the gospel. If you subbed out sexuality for another sin, it could offer hope in an entirely different set of struggles. This isn't a book about kicking a habit, it's a book about the transforming power of God's grace. In short, it's exactly what my sinful heart needs to hear every single day.
Maybe the biggest big of sexual insanity for Christians is that we can look at the pervasiveness of sexual craziness around us and the sexual sin inside of us and think a) that we can solve the problem on our own (if so, why not do it by now?) or b) we despair at our own failures, give up, and wonder whether God loves us. This wonderful book by David Tripp underscored the insanity of both lies in my own life. The weightiness of my own sin was heavier here than it had ever been before because I realized that the primary problem with my sex life wasn't an inability to kick an addiction or to muster my own strength, but a completely rotten set of self-serving desires that only Christ can redeem. And because Christ actually has the power to redeem and the deep and abiding love that our hearts are after, the shackles of sexual sin lose their power. It's when we recognize a) our depravity and b) the unbelievable power of the gospel that we find hope. This book is remarkably simple--it doesn't go beyond core gospel truths. Yet it reminds us of our need to constantly teach and reteach these truths to ourselves because we are so, so quick to forget. If we really believe that we are forgiven and that sin is paid for, then there's no reason to hide--from God or from other believers.
Three of the book's major illustrations were particularly memorable for me:
- All of life, including our sexuality is worship. Worship practically includes bowing down, trusting, obeying, and serving.
- Romans 8:19-38. The world is broken and indeed groaning under the curse of sin. It's critical to realize that our own hearts are the depraved things that make it so. As long as we live here, the curse of sin is going to weigh on everything and suck and that should break our hearts. Yet in the gospel we have hope because none of that sin can separate us from the love of Christ and the present weight of our suffering in trials and temptations can even begin to compare to the eternity we have waiting for us. This is a battle text to come back to, especially when discouraged.
- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, which gives us four principles for worshipping well sexually. First, the principle of mastery--freedom from the law doesn't solve our sex problem because it's really a problem of mastery. The trouble is one of misplaced worship--we elevate sex to a place that God never intended for it to be; it's no wonder it destroys us! We are altogether too tempted to exchange masters. Second, the principle of eternity--we are hardwired for eternity. If we don't place our hope in the eternity that we are looking forward to, we will act like this world is the eternal reality and fill it with all of the pleasure we can find, destroying our view of sex. The principle of unity--we are united with Christ if we are Christians; it is of great hope and comfort that he is always with us but it also extremely convicting that every time we chose to sin sexually we are really saying that we place our own desires at such a high priority that we are okay with joining Christ with a prostitute. The principle of ownership - we were bought at a costly price with the Christ and we don't get to live on our own and make all our choices for our own glory. In each of these principles we fail and are reminded of our great need for the help that only the gospel can afford.
What I love most about this book is that its core, it is a book about the gospel. If you subbed out sexuality for another sin, it could offer hope in an entirely different set of struggles. This isn't a book about kicking a habit, it's a book about the transforming power of God's grace. In short, it's exactly what my sinful heart needs to hear every single day.
June 14, 2018
This is hardly a few weeks that go buy that I don’t have a conversation with somebody about sexual sin. Whether it is a young man struggling in the church that I pastor or it is seeing it first hand as the male that I’m ubering around in my car is trying to convince the girl with him to come back and cuddle just a bit, it is evident that we do live in a broken world. Paul David Tripp talks about this world gone crazy in his book Sex in a Broken World: How Christ Redeems What Sin Distorts, published by Crossway. In this book he doesn’t deny that we are sexual beings, but we live in a world that is not sexually healthy but is deeply broken. In this world God does not promise us that we will not struggle, but rather He has given to us the best gift ever in it—Himself. As a matter of fact according to the author, “The cross is our guarantee that in all our struggles with sex, no matter who we are and what those struggles may be, God will give us everything we need. If He willingly gave us His Son, we can rest assured He will gladly supply what we are not able to supply for ourselves.” There can be victory in this area of our lives!
In this book Tripp takes a close look at the brokenness of this world but challenges the Christian to not use that as an excuse to chase sin. He encourages the Christian to take a good long look at his/her own heart and ask the question of whether or not your heart is controlled by a higher pleasure of God, which is greater than any other pleasure you could seek. The question is this: Is God the master of my heart? Everything else falls into place after that. In this book the author goes in great detail to show us that we must have a heart-controlling love for God that can protect us in this world that we live in.
Tripp completes his book with some practical advice on how to find victory in this area of your life. He points to hope found in the gospel and in the power of God. He says, “When you begin to understand that you’ve been invited to a meal that will never end, that you’ve been welcomed to the King’s table forever, you’ll quit looking to sneak a bite at other tables.” Understanding what we have in this relationship with God, goes far in the victory we all need.
This is going to be a book that I keep close. It is going to be a book that I recommend time and time again because of the pervasive nature of this sin and this sinful world that we live in. I found many of the truths in this book to be applicable not only to sexual sin, but any sin. This is one that you need on your shelfs not just for yourself, but for those you love.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In this book Tripp takes a close look at the brokenness of this world but challenges the Christian to not use that as an excuse to chase sin. He encourages the Christian to take a good long look at his/her own heart and ask the question of whether or not your heart is controlled by a higher pleasure of God, which is greater than any other pleasure you could seek. The question is this: Is God the master of my heart? Everything else falls into place after that. In this book the author goes in great detail to show us that we must have a heart-controlling love for God that can protect us in this world that we live in.
Tripp completes his book with some practical advice on how to find victory in this area of your life. He points to hope found in the gospel and in the power of God. He says, “When you begin to understand that you’ve been invited to a meal that will never end, that you’ve been welcomed to the King’s table forever, you’ll quit looking to sneak a bite at other tables.” Understanding what we have in this relationship with God, goes far in the victory we all need.
This is going to be a book that I keep close. It is going to be a book that I recommend time and time again because of the pervasive nature of this sin and this sinful world that we live in. I found many of the truths in this book to be applicable not only to sexual sin, but any sin. This is one that you need on your shelfs not just for yourself, but for those you love.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2018
As with every book put out by Paul David Tripp, this book looks past the consequences, outcomes, and side-effects and gets straight to the heart of the matter. Tripp lays out an excellent theology of Sex, why God created it, what it's for, and how we rightly order it in the grand scheme of God's sovereign design and purpose. Tripp grounds this whole book in the sovereignty of God, and how that informs every single aspect of our lives including sex.
Tripp outlines that,
"The Bible begins with these four words: 'In the beginning, God'...They destroy the validity of dividing life into spiritual and secular...A gospel-centered approach to sex that avoids the insanity of the surrounding culture must begin with looking at life through the window of the doctrine of creation...It's all for him, from him, through him, and about him...Your life is not about you; it is about him...It's only when he is in his proper place in your heart, that is at the center, that everything else in your life will be in its appropriate place and balance...To insert yourself into the center of your world is to violate the very nature of the world." (42-3)
God being at the proper place in our hearts is Tripp's outline for the whole book. Everything comes in alignment under that as God has the first and supreme place of glory in our hearts. It's through that lens that the Christians is to view their participation in sex.
I find that Christians can often sit on the two sides of the pendulum on this topic by either not talking about it at all or with villainizing it, neither being the proper response or what God desires of his people. This book is by far a #1 recommendation for any Christian
Tripp outlines that,
"The Bible begins with these four words: 'In the beginning, God'...They destroy the validity of dividing life into spiritual and secular...A gospel-centered approach to sex that avoids the insanity of the surrounding culture must begin with looking at life through the window of the doctrine of creation...It's all for him, from him, through him, and about him...Your life is not about you; it is about him...It's only when he is in his proper place in your heart, that is at the center, that everything else in your life will be in its appropriate place and balance...To insert yourself into the center of your world is to violate the very nature of the world." (42-3)
God being at the proper place in our hearts is Tripp's outline for the whole book. Everything comes in alignment under that as God has the first and supreme place of glory in our hearts. It's through that lens that the Christians is to view their participation in sex.
I find that Christians can often sit on the two sides of the pendulum on this topic by either not talking about it at all or with villainizing it, neither being the proper response or what God desires of his people. This book is by far a #1 recommendation for any Christian
January 10, 2019
Tripps introduction and outroduction, falling back and digging into the doctrine of grace, is where he shines. There is a thorough look into the culture that has created this sexual "insanity" and Tripps blunt and honest commentary on the depravity of all men, is great and appreciated.
However, his writing is easy to get lost in - and not in a good way; its hard to follow. The three middle chapters have lots of good points regarding the worship, obedience, and authority of sex. BUT there is TONS of repetition and fluff. He uses the same Christianese language over and over again - which seems careless considering the fact that he rarely defines much of his repeated language.
Tripp also talks a lot about the pursuit of sexual purity, but in very fragmented forms: "The beginning to sexual purity is not...sexual purity starts with....sexual purity must, cannot, is, will be..." and so on and so forth. Yet all of the discussion of sexual purity is dispersed between the chapters in an unorganized fashion.
"The Pursuit of Sexual Purity" could have been his second to last chapter, where he summarized all of the little application points made in his chapters. But that is a problem in this book: There is application, but it is unorganized and uncategorized. I would have loved to see a more systematic way of dealing with these topics and applications.
Overall, Tripp's writing is far more ball-rolling style (ya get going, and you just don't stop) rather than thoughtful exegesis and application of scripture, intertwined with stories and application. There are many good points that he makes, and I do love his blunt and honesty style with addressing sex in this broken world.
However, his writing is easy to get lost in - and not in a good way; its hard to follow. The three middle chapters have lots of good points regarding the worship, obedience, and authority of sex. BUT there is TONS of repetition and fluff. He uses the same Christianese language over and over again - which seems careless considering the fact that he rarely defines much of his repeated language.
Tripp also talks a lot about the pursuit of sexual purity, but in very fragmented forms: "The beginning to sexual purity is not...sexual purity starts with....sexual purity must, cannot, is, will be..." and so on and so forth. Yet all of the discussion of sexual purity is dispersed between the chapters in an unorganized fashion.
"The Pursuit of Sexual Purity" could have been his second to last chapter, where he summarized all of the little application points made in his chapters. But that is a problem in this book: There is application, but it is unorganized and uncategorized. I would have loved to see a more systematic way of dealing with these topics and applications.
Overall, Tripp's writing is far more ball-rolling style (ya get going, and you just don't stop) rather than thoughtful exegesis and application of scripture, intertwined with stories and application. There are many good points that he makes, and I do love his blunt and honesty style with addressing sex in this broken world.
February 14, 2020
Great, book that has deep theological roots in very simple terms. Super helpful in many ways, reminding us of the Gospel’s power to free us. Tripp has a pastoral tone and approach- you can tell he has walked with people who have felt defeated by sexual sin.
Would be 5 stars for content but a few things hold me back from giving it 5 stars.
-the content becomes somewhat repetitive after a while
-some of the stories that Tripp tells I can imagine being a trigger for someone who is reading the book to escape from sexual sin.
-While Tripp is strong in his proclamation of the implications of the Gospel, I think that some of the more practical things that can be done along with the true deep work that he is advocating, have been left out where they could be helpful in the short run. For example, Tripp says something along the lines of accountability partners and community won’t solve the deep rooted issue. While this is true, it can give someone the distance from what they are fleeing to begin doing the real work of reflecting on the true cause of the sin.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested,especially anyone in men’s ministry, along with another book like Heath Lambert’s “Finally Free”, which is more immediately “practical”. Tripp is on the money in what the cure is, in the long run; the Gospel of Jesus Christ applied to our souls. Must read.
Would be 5 stars for content but a few things hold me back from giving it 5 stars.
-the content becomes somewhat repetitive after a while
-some of the stories that Tripp tells I can imagine being a trigger for someone who is reading the book to escape from sexual sin.
-While Tripp is strong in his proclamation of the implications of the Gospel, I think that some of the more practical things that can be done along with the true deep work that he is advocating, have been left out where they could be helpful in the short run. For example, Tripp says something along the lines of accountability partners and community won’t solve the deep rooted issue. While this is true, it can give someone the distance from what they are fleeing to begin doing the real work of reflecting on the true cause of the sin.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested,especially anyone in men’s ministry, along with another book like Heath Lambert’s “Finally Free”, which is more immediately “practical”. Tripp is on the money in what the cure is, in the long run; the Gospel of Jesus Christ applied to our souls. Must read.
November 13, 2018
Paul David Tripp is a fairly new author for me. I've never read a complete copy of his work, but I've seen bits and pieces from his book New Morning Mercies. When I saw this book, Sex in a Broken World, I knew I had to have as I had just watched three sermons that talked about sex outside of marriage. The truth of the matter is that sex happens in this day and age -- it sells, it's normal and people love it. However, God created sex for a specific use in a specific manner and the world has completely distorted it.
Paul dives into his personal issues with sex and he uses a lot of scripture references which is something I always look for when reading books like this. He doesn't just give his personal opinion, but he shares what God's Word says regarding our bodies and sex. He also goes into the core issue of our society regarding sexual sin and gives practical and Biblical ways to deal with it properly. For me this book did a lot of convicting and helped me see my own wrongs when it comes to sex.
This book is a great read and may definitely convict you of your own sexual sin. It sheds light into the darkness and allows you to find ways through God's Word to help yourself. Easy read and awesome scriptural references. Definitely recommend it.
Paul dives into his personal issues with sex and he uses a lot of scripture references which is something I always look for when reading books like this. He doesn't just give his personal opinion, but he shares what God's Word says regarding our bodies and sex. He also goes into the core issue of our society regarding sexual sin and gives practical and Biblical ways to deal with it properly. For me this book did a lot of convicting and helped me see my own wrongs when it comes to sex.
This book is a great read and may definitely convict you of your own sexual sin. It sheds light into the darkness and allows you to find ways through God's Word to help yourself. Easy read and awesome scriptural references. Definitely recommend it.
December 1, 2018
This book is a timely one because it seems as if sex has been taken captive by this world. The good gift given to us by God has been distorted due to the fallen nature of this world. Tripp takes us on a survey of what it means to be sexual creatures.
Throughout the book we see that our view of sex influences our lives at both a broad and very specific level. What we believe both about sex and our relationship with God influences how we carry the gift of sex. We must recognize that we are offered a better way than what the world offers.
I applaud Tripp including the helpful ideas to us and how to live out a godly view of sexuality. I only wish that he would have got to these earlier in the book; however, it is rooted in scripture and is good for anyone.
I do not know that this is the best book of Tripp that I have read. That does not mean that it is not worth reading, but rather I believe he has other works that are better. If you are looking for a book on sex rooted in Scripture, this should make its way onto your shelf.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review. The words above are my own and have not been influenced in any way by the author or publisher outside of the written manuscript.
Throughout the book we see that our view of sex influences our lives at both a broad and very specific level. What we believe both about sex and our relationship with God influences how we carry the gift of sex. We must recognize that we are offered a better way than what the world offers.
I applaud Tripp including the helpful ideas to us and how to live out a godly view of sexuality. I only wish that he would have got to these earlier in the book; however, it is rooted in scripture and is good for anyone.
I do not know that this is the best book of Tripp that I have read. That does not mean that it is not worth reading, but rather I believe he has other works that are better. If you are looking for a book on sex rooted in Scripture, this should make its way onto your shelf.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review. The words above are my own and have not been influenced in any way by the author or publisher outside of the written manuscript.
December 14, 2019
This is the best PDT book that I've read, but it's still not quite good enough to get to a 5-star review. Sex in a Broken World is focused on discussing sex insanity in the world and how Christians can live in this world. Paul David Tripp often lists examples of how our world is sex-crazed and how to deal with it in a Christ-like manner. The key quote from the book is "A good thing becomes a bad thing when it becomes a ruling thing." He repeats it many times and it was my biggest takeaway.
Favorite quotes:
p. 30 - "How many parents do more than conduct one creepy, quasi-embarrassing talk about sex and have joy once it's over and a determination never to talk about it again? How many young people from Christian homes are struggling with questions, confusion, and temptation but wouldn't think of seeking the help and wisdom of their embarrassed and silent parents?"
p. 35 - "The thing you once desired, you're now persuaded you need, and once you've named it as a need, it has you."
p. 60 - "The desire for even a good thing becomes a bad thing when that desire becomes a ruling thing."
p. 102 - "Sex according to God's wise and gracious design simply cannot be just about me. Individualized sex simply cannot and will not go anywhere good."
p. 140 - "Delay is disobedience in a tuxedo."
p. 158 - "You hide when you tell yourself you're okay. you hide when you minimize your struggle. you hide when you lie to others. You hide when you give nebulous non-answers to people who are trying to help you."
Favorite quotes:
p. 30 - "How many parents do more than conduct one creepy, quasi-embarrassing talk about sex and have joy once it's over and a determination never to talk about it again? How many young people from Christian homes are struggling with questions, confusion, and temptation but wouldn't think of seeking the help and wisdom of their embarrassed and silent parents?"
p. 35 - "The thing you once desired, you're now persuaded you need, and once you've named it as a need, it has you."
p. 60 - "The desire for even a good thing becomes a bad thing when that desire becomes a ruling thing."
p. 102 - "Sex according to God's wise and gracious design simply cannot be just about me. Individualized sex simply cannot and will not go anywhere good."
p. 140 - "Delay is disobedience in a tuxedo."
p. 158 - "You hide when you tell yourself you're okay. you hide when you minimize your struggle. you hide when you lie to others. You hide when you give nebulous non-answers to people who are trying to help you."
August 12, 2023
"He stands on center stage. He has the most important lines. The following spotlight is always on him. The story moves according to his will and by his plan. It’s all for him, from him, through him, and about him. He zealously holds on to his position at the center of all things. He will not forsake his position of authority or give his control to another. He is the center, the important one, and the Lord of glory. Your understanding of everything in your life must begin here."
"What this means practically is that everything exists for his pleasure and glory and not for yours. So you and I must approach everything in a way that gives God the glory that belongs to him. If you forget him and his glory, you’ll use things for no higher purpose than your own glory, and in so doing you’ll misuse them in some way."
Overall this book offered much dignity in starting discussions about sex through a biblical perspective. However, 3.5 for me - PDT can get very long winded and repetitive. His anecdotal stories are often way too frequent and corny, something he did not shy away from in this book. Agh, it makes me cringe thinking back at them, they are intended to make the chapters relatable but really take away from the point he is trying to make and cheapen the writing.
"What this means practically is that everything exists for his pleasure and glory and not for yours. So you and I must approach everything in a way that gives God the glory that belongs to him. If you forget him and his glory, you’ll use things for no higher purpose than your own glory, and in so doing you’ll misuse them in some way."
Overall this book offered much dignity in starting discussions about sex through a biblical perspective. However, 3.5 for me - PDT can get very long winded and repetitive. His anecdotal stories are often way too frequent and corny, something he did not shy away from in this book. Agh, it makes me cringe thinking back at them, they are intended to make the chapters relatable but really take away from the point he is trying to make and cheapen the writing.
July 23, 2023
Wow, I was blown away by the honesty, Biblical insight and conviction this book offered. I appreciated Paul David Tripp's heart oriented approach--the primary problem isn't the sexualized culture around us, but what our hearts do with it. He had a number of insightful principles, like lust doesn't lust for more lust but for the real thing and your body goes where your heart has already gone. I also appreciated how he unpacked that just because a husband and wife are having sex doesn't necessarily make it Godly sex--if one or both of them are using it for their own selfish desires (and/or treating the spouse poorly the rest of the time), their sexual life falls outside what God intended. They aren't loving God or neighbor.
His real life stories of people he has counseled and pastored really fleshed out his points and proved how vital it is to walk in the light in the area of sexuality. I learned so much from this book that I listened to it twice in a week.
His real life stories of people he has counseled and pastored really fleshed out his points and proved how vital it is to walk in the light in the area of sexuality. I learned so much from this book that I listened to it twice in a week.
February 16, 2024
I gave this book 3/⭐️⭐️⭐️ because I found the style of writing hard to get through even though the content was amazing. It definitely wasn’t the “sex book” I assumed it would be and it really does challenge our cultures worldview on pervasive modern sexuality.
My favorite underlines:
“Sex in marriage isn’t made holy simply because it’s in marriage, anymore than talk in marriage is made holy because it’s in marriage. Both sex and talk are made holy by the intentions of your heart, and the intentions are holy when by powerful transforming grace you love God above all else.”
“Sex is dangerous when it is motivated only by love of you. Sex is dangerous when it is motivated only by love for another person. (______, comfort, pleasure, control)…Sex is only ever purified and protected when it is motivated in thought, desire, and action by a living, submissive, joyful, and willing love for God.”
My favorite underlines:
“Sex in marriage isn’t made holy simply because it’s in marriage, anymore than talk in marriage is made holy because it’s in marriage. Both sex and talk are made holy by the intentions of your heart, and the intentions are holy when by powerful transforming grace you love God above all else.”
“Sex is dangerous when it is motivated only by love of you. Sex is dangerous when it is motivated only by love for another person. (______, comfort, pleasure, control)…Sex is only ever purified and protected when it is motivated in thought, desire, and action by a living, submissive, joyful, and willing love for God.”
August 17, 2021
I was so tired of Tripp’s long but kind of pointless lists by the end of this book. He doesn’t ever seem to go anywhere, just flounders around with his argument and then moves on.
It starts to get better at the end as he dives into a few passages of scripture, but I think his ideas would have been equally effective in half the number of pages. Probably more so.
And my other problem is that there is no practical application, other than a few rough principles (community, wisdom etc). There is so much potential in this book, I just wanted Tripp to pull it all together in the last 50 pages, which he failed to do.
Probably would not recommend. There are definitely far better books on the topic of sexual sin. Sorry Paul.
It starts to get better at the end as he dives into a few passages of scripture, but I think his ideas would have been equally effective in half the number of pages. Probably more so.
And my other problem is that there is no practical application, other than a few rough principles (community, wisdom etc). There is so much potential in this book, I just wanted Tripp to pull it all together in the last 50 pages, which he failed to do.
Probably would not recommend. There are definitely far better books on the topic of sexual sin. Sorry Paul.
April 13, 2024
Although this book has good principles at its core, these principles feel not only out-of-touch from real world execution, but they are repeated to the point of redundancy. Sex in a Broken World has 60 pages of content that's stretched into 180 pages, and there are sections that seem obviously added for word count fluff.
Tripp does hit on certain scenarios where sex can control your life and gives good advice on facing those issues, but for the most part, he doesn't tackle modern day issues as strongly as he does the ones he experienced. Because of this, is glaringly apparent that Tripp married at a young age -- meaning that if you're older than 23 and single, there's not much applicable content in this book for you.
Tripp does hit on certain scenarios where sex can control your life and gives good advice on facing those issues, but for the most part, he doesn't tackle modern day issues as strongly as he does the ones he experienced. Because of this, is glaringly apparent that Tripp married at a young age -- meaning that if you're older than 23 and single, there's not much applicable content in this book for you.
June 9, 2024
This book is extremely reminiscent of “Gentle and Lowly” except Tripp addresses the reality of how broken our world is in terms of sex. I think this is truly a must read book for every single Christian in every circumstance (a parent wondering how to raise their child and address sex, someone falling into sexual sin, those about to get married wanting a biblical understanding of sex, someone entering a relationship for the first time, etc.). The beautiful writing in this book easily translates to topics/sin struggles other than sex, making it a universal read. Plus, it’s not graphic in any way nor is it outdated in teaching weird marital responsibilities. Such a good book! Cannot recommend it enough! I’ve stepped away with a better understanding of the world, myself, and God’s grace!
July 27, 2025
I’d give this book a 2.5 stars. I think this author is rather blunt, and while I agree with plenty he shared, his method of sharing was bristly in my opinion. I recommend books on the subject by Sheila Wray Gregoire much more of this one.
It may be that I am a millennial raised in purity culture, but I think identifying the fallacies many people have been raised with in regards to sex is a really biblical and liberating experience that is helpful and healing.
I read this book out of curiosity mainly, and I care deeply about the messaging being put out there about sexual issues because of how poorly it was done within Christian circles. While I think this book holds a lot of good true things, it reads more like a reprimand than an invitation to freedom if that makes sense.
It may be that I am a millennial raised in purity culture, but I think identifying the fallacies many people have been raised with in regards to sex is a really biblical and liberating experience that is helpful and healing.
I read this book out of curiosity mainly, and I care deeply about the messaging being put out there about sexual issues because of how poorly it was done within Christian circles. While I think this book holds a lot of good true things, it reads more like a reprimand than an invitation to freedom if that makes sense.
November 13, 2020
Outstanding book, refreshing perspective. This book was so helpful for me as a single young adult, struggling with sexual desires and the idolatry of marriage that is so prevalent in our culture (especially for women). Tripp masterfully puts sex in the place where it belongs - one of the many blessings God has poured out into our lives. Imagine the number of relationships that could be saved, healed and restored if more people read this book. When we choose to submit our desires for sex to God, we have the potential to radically change our culture and start backing away from the ledge of sexual insanity.
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