A Better Story
God, Sex And Human Flourishing
1st Edition
Published on 19. January 2017
192 pages
978-1-78359-451-1 (ISBN)
Description
"A really first-rate piece of work on a most important topic. The style is warm, persuasive and engaging. The content is clear, incisive and wise. I recommend publication strongly and urgently - we really need this book! You have served the church and wider society very, very significantly by writing it." Julian Hardyman, Senior Pastor of Eden Chapel, Cambridge
The architects of the sexual revolution won over the popular imagination because they knew the power of story. They drew together radical new ideologies, often complex and hard to grasp, and melded them into the simpler structure of narrative. Crucially, they cast narratives that appealed to the moral instincts of ordinary, decent people.
This moral vision overwhelmed the church and silenced its faltering apologists.
The author argues that if Christians still believe they have have good news in the sphere of sexual ethics, then two big tasks lie ahead. Our first priority is to work out what has gone so badly wrong, both in our understanding and application of what the Bible teaches and the way we have presented our case to the non-churched. And then we must offer a better story, one that fires the imagination with such force that people will say, 'I want that to be true.'
This book offers a confident, biblically rooted moral vision which needs to be shared with prayer and courage.
The architects of the sexual revolution won over the popular imagination because they knew the power of story. They drew together radical new ideologies, often complex and hard to grasp, and melded them into the simpler structure of narrative. Crucially, they cast narratives that appealed to the moral instincts of ordinary, decent people.
This moral vision overwhelmed the church and silenced its faltering apologists.
The author argues that if Christians still believe they have have good news in the sphere of sexual ethics, then two big tasks lie ahead. Our first priority is to work out what has gone so badly wrong, both in our understanding and application of what the Bible teaches and the way we have presented our case to the non-churched. And then we must offer a better story, one that fires the imagination with such force that people will say, 'I want that to be true.'
This book offers a confident, biblically rooted moral vision which needs to be shared with prayer and courage.
Reviews / Votes
A really first-rate piece of work on a most important topic. The style is warm, persuasive and engaging. The content is clear, incisive and wise. I recommend publication strongly and urgently - we really need this book! You have served the church and wider society very, very significantly by writing it. -- Julian Hardyman, Senior Pastor of Eden Chapel, Cambridge With clarity and wisdom, Glynn helpfully assists us in navigating a minefield of explosive and emotive issues. He shows why and how the sexual revolution has transformed the thinking of so many, and yet how it has failed to deliver on its grand promises. In its place he tells a beautiful story of where our sexuality is designed to lead us, and where all our longings can find ultimate fulfilment. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Every Christian facing these issues should read it. * Michael Ots, Evangelist, speaker and author * Glynn Harrison's acute cultural analysis and inspiring presentation of the Bible's teaching provides a superb model of how orthodox Christians should address the subject of sex and marriage today. He demonstrates that the legacy of the sexual revolution is not the freedom and fulfilment it promises, but isolated individuals and broken communities. And he shows that the Bible, by contrast, points to a greater vision, a better story and a deeper love which, rightly understood, will capture hearts and inspire costly obedience, for the good of all and the glory of God. * Vaughan Roberts, Rector of St Ebbe's Oxford and Director of The Proclamation Trust * "This is a wonderful book, clear and compassionate; a book I have been wanting to read for a very long time, but no one has written it until now. Glynn maps out the extent of the sexual revolution, what's good about it as well as what isn't, and sets out how we can be confident in God's intention and gift in a way we can celebrate and commend to our unbelieving culture.If I could afford to I would send it to all bishops, presbyters and any other Christian leader. Please read it in your group or church, please be prepared to work through the ways it will help you flourish in God's good gift, and let this book take you to the breadth, length, height and depth of Christ's love, and help you share that love with those who don't know it exists" * Keith Sinclair Bishop of Birkenhead * A confident, biblically rooted moral vision to be shared with prayer and courage. * Gospel Coalition * Compelling and constructive . . . full of hope. * Happy Certainty * Timely, helpful and much-needed. * bethinking *
More details
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
Nottingham
United Kingdom
Product notice
Reflowable
ISBN-13
978-1-78359-451-1 (9781783594511)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
01/2017
Inter-Varsity Press
€14.60
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
Glynn Harrison is Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, University of Bristol UK, where he was a practising consultant psychiatrist and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry. He preaches locally and speaks widely on issues of faith and psychology, neuroscience and psychiatry. He is married to Louise. Visit www.glynnharrison.com.
Content
CONTENTS
Preface xi
What lies ahead xiii
Part 1: A better understanding
1 Revolution is my name 3
2 The ideology of the revolution 12
3 The moral vision of the revolution 25
4 The storytellers of the revolution 41
5 The narrative of the revolution 50
6 The warriors of the revolution 59
7 The casualties of the revolution 68
Part 2: A better critique
8 The plank in your own eye 81
9 Sleeping with the enemy 91
10 War on the weak 100
11 Who am I today? 114
Part 3: A better story
12 Living in God's reality 125
13 The end of longing 135
14 The end of shame 148
15 For the life of the world 158
16 Our better story 176
17 Better storytelling 189
Notes 199
Some resources and further reading 210
Bibliography 212
Preface xi
What lies ahead xiii
Part 1: A better understanding
1 Revolution is my name 3
2 The ideology of the revolution 12
3 The moral vision of the revolution 25
4 The storytellers of the revolution 41
5 The narrative of the revolution 50
6 The warriors of the revolution 59
7 The casualties of the revolution 68
Part 2: A better critique
8 The plank in your own eye 81
9 Sleeping with the enemy 91
10 War on the weak 100
11 Who am I today? 114
Part 3: A better story
12 Living in God's reality 125
13 The end of longing 135
14 The end of shame 148
15 For the life of the world 158
16 Our better story 176
17 Better storytelling 189
Notes 199
Some resources and further reading 210
Bibliography 212
