Be prepared for Joshua Ryan Butler's Beautiful Union: How God's Vision for Sex Points Us to the Good, Unlocks the True, and (Sort of) Explains Everything to be a longer explanation of "It's Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve."
People who read this book already have their firm beliefs about homosexuality. While the book touches on other aspects of sex (infertility, adoption, Song of Songs), much of its explanations revolve around how God created sex as "diversity-in-union". Male and female. Complementary.
If you already agree with this, then you'll enjoy this book. If you're on the fence, then I can see how this book might sway you to the Christian side - or not. And if you, like me, don't believe that homosexuality is a sin, then your mind will not be changed, but it's good to hear the reasonings of the "other side" to be informed.
I took notes after each chapter and even highlighted a few passages of interest in my free e-ARC. There were a few things that I found interesting regarding divorce (God hates divorce but not divorced people, and divorce is permissible even though it images a shaky foundation and unreliable relationship with God), adultery (we cheat on God all the time and yet he continues to pursue us), adoption (Jesus was adopted by Joseph and God chooses us, so it's like we are adopted), and abortion ("Women and children facing difficult circumstances should have a flood of support from their church and community." - I don't think picketing abortion clinics or passing laws to punish women is reflecting this).
Was I intrigued by the book's title when I received the email about reviewing it? You bet! Did I enjoy the book? Meh. I didn't even know there was controversy surrounding the book before I started reading it. This article from Sheila Wray Gregoire at Bare Marriage does a great job explaining some of the problems in the book. Basically, if you're a woman, you're not going to like this book. And honestly, after reading about the controversy, I like this book even less.
Beautiful Union is published by Multnomah and is available to purchase now. I received a free e-ARC from the publisher.
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