Sexual Character: Beyond Technique to Intimacy

by Marva J. Dawn

Aiming to combat the widespread confusion today regarding sexual issues, Marva Dawn offers here a clear biblical understanding of human sexuality. Her fresh perspectives in Sexual Character will challenge and encourage persons living in our sex-saturated society.

To establish the necessary foundations for new thinking about sexual issues, Dawn explains the importance of distinguishing between social and genital sexuality (a distinction generally not made), discusses the forces in our technological society that jeopardize true intimacy, and outlines the "ethics of character" that forms the basis for discussion in the rest of the book.

Holding to a positive biblical vision for sexual character leads Dawn to raise many provocative questions that apply in very practical, relevant ways to such issues as friendship, marriage, divorce, teenage dating, homosexuality, and abortion. Dawn ends the book by putting forth a hopeful vision of "sexual shalom" for individuals and Christian communities.

Written in an engaging, non-preachy style, Sexual Character will benefit all thoughtful Christian adults ― ministers, parents, youth group leaders, college students ― and provide solid material for church discussion groups.

Genres: Sexuality, Christian, Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Relationships, Faith

186 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Marva J. Dawn is an American Christian theologian, author, musician and educator, associated with the parachurch organization "Christians Equipped for Ministry" in Vancouver, Washington. She also serves as Teaching Fellow in Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dawn is generally perceived as a Lutheran evangelical.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the clear thinking of this book, but I think Dawn used somewhat tortured vocabulary / language to make her points which sometimes make it a bit hard to follow her arguments. Maybe the most useful discussion was how our culture has come to equate intimacy with sexual union and fails to see how it is possible for someone to experience intimacy in the context of a loving community which is not sexual in nature. I also appreciated her discussion of how a marriage can be a sign and model of God's love and character to the world we live in.

[Michelle Raybourn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this book took me longer to read than I think necessary. Looking forward to the wedding!!! And for more time to read afterwards :)

I am a Marva fan. I think she does a great job threading the needle between legalism and licentiousness. Sorry, big words! She holds the tension well in finding the gospel third way on this topic. I would recommend for sure, just for people wrestling and wanting a well rounded approach to this topic.

There were a few sections that felt dated, like you could tell this book was written in the 90’s. I really wonder what Marva would think of culture now if she was clutching her pearls in the 80’s? But I guess there are always pearls to clutch in the life of a Christian. Lol. Aw

I really enjoyed the section of parenting, abortion, and shalom.

There were two passages that hit tone deaf on this cultural moment for me. One, where she talked about hosting an event for high school kids at her church after a Friday night football game….mostly so they don’t run off and have sex. I mean…I kinda hoped the generosity and hospitality would be there and be at the fore front rather than just as a means of manipulating kids into the right decision. Just felt a little off to me. Not entirely wrong, but I wished that hadn’t been her WHOLE reason for offering snacks and the church space to kids.

The other passage that I felt uncomfy with was her telling a friend not to move in with her boyfriend bc the relationship was only built around physicality. Which could be true in the case of her friendship. I just disagree on the case of many of my friendships. That even if I disagree with that decision, rarely are their relationships to black and white and binary. I would hope for more compassion and understanding regardless of disagreement. Sometimes it is that simple, other times it is not.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm filing this under "interesting/devotional-ish". I appreciated Dawn's insights and experience, and found her ideas about sexual character thought-provoking for my study on the topic. The book feels outdated in some places, simply because our culture has changed so much in the short time since she wrote it (things like gay marriage and internet pornography were not on her radar). I enjoyed it, but wouldn't recommend it broadly.

[Joel Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, definitely in my top two on the topic of sexuality. Marva Dawn frames Christianity as an alternate lifestyle in today's culture, one in which Christians look to follow in the ways and character of Jesus, according to the design of God.

The focus not just on sexual union within marriage, but on friendship and community and support outside of marriage, makes this book really unique and special for me.

[Bunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Understanding Scriptures
"A-Normative or Instructive Texts are those that give basic, fundamental principles that should charts characterize the people of God
B-Descriptive Texts- this which narrate examples of practices acceptable/unacceptable among the people of God & their results.
C-Problematic or Corrective Texts- which deal w/specific problems among the Jews in the early church. "
p.96

[Carissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal.

[Lynne Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this. It challenged me to think carefully about some issues I hadn't yet considered. Her sad observation that so many in our disengaged culture know no other option for intimacy other than sexual engagement rings true. This realistic book also recommends measures to help remedy the prevalence of personal alienation so many experience. I highly recommend this thoughtful book.

[Sean-david · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book confirms once again why I love Marva Dawn and have yet to be disappointed by any of her works. She is as brilliant as she is caring and compassionate in her writing. Her arguments are always well-founded on scripture, the tradition of the church, and a healthy view of the fall of man, the power of the Gospel, and a refreshingly high view of the Church and a call to the community of God to rise up to it.

[Todd Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marva Dawn has always been a clear thinker and writer and this is on display in her book. This is a strong book on sexual ethics, and much of what Dawn wrote will make it into my professional ethics class. She roots sexual ethics in the church and has a consistent and holistic approach to sexual ethics. Her differentiation between social sexuality and genital sexuality is very helpful.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book on developing sexual character over against a law based understanding of sexual purity.

[Tina Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book discussing sexuality from a Christian perspective.