The Sexual Reformation: Restoring the Dignity and Personhood of Man and Woman

Review'Aimee Byrd, in The Sexual Reformation, beautifully shows us the need for nothing less than a reformation in how the church understands and discusses sexuality that more fully resonates with the biblical vision. Byrd powerfully calls us to discover a deeper song whereby our embodiment as male and female resonates with the great marriage of heaven and earth made possible through the incarnation and the marriage supper of the lamb.' -- Timothy C. Tennent, president, Asbury Theological Seminary'This is a book that will grow your soul. In the midst of albeit important debates about the meaning of masculinity, femininity, authority, and submission, Aimee invites us to rise above and listen--listen to Jesus singing over us, pointing us to redemptive sexuality centered on himself. Instead of viewing each other as rivals for power, let's join in the song--the Song of Songs--and embrace each other as gifts. May that song of the sexual reformation lead to our dance of celebration.' -- Sheila Wray Gregoire, author of The Great Sex Rescue'Viva la reformacion! Aimee Byrd calls us back to Scripture, and to the Song of Songs specifically, as a way of reorienting our fallen views of personhood, sexuality, and Christ's love for his bride. The book is a rich exercise in the Christian imagination, birthed by Scripture, rooted in tradition, and enkindled by the Holy Spirit. Take up and sing!' -- Joshua M. McNall, associate professor of pastoral theology, Oklahoma Wesleyan University'Beyond revolution, we need a reformation, and Byrd perfectly explains why as she implores readers to question hierarchal roles baked into evangelicalism. Through the oft-overlooked book of Song of Songs, she beckons the church to consider a richer, more robust understanding of the sexes and honor the inherent dignity and embodied personhood of men and women. Her insights will untangle your beliefs about sexuality and reform them for the flourishing of all.' -- Tiffany Bluhm, author of Prey Tell: Why We Silence Women Who Tell the Truth and How Everyone Can Speak Up'This isn't your grandfather's talk on sex and gender in the Bible! Aimee Byrd delivers what every Christian needs to consider: the rich tapestry of sexuality interlaced throughout Scripture via the Song of Songs! Byrd's commitment to Scripture as the primary voice on sex liberates her to make unique insights not merely reactive to gender discussions that we've become so used to. Sex (in every sense of the word) matters, but in ways we've often failed to consider. Byrd offers us an easy-to-read and biblically honed theological foray through which we can check ourselves lest we continue to wreck ourselves. Consequently, Scripture's world of thinking springs to life, and our currently muddled conversations about sex clarify.' -- Dru Johnson, associate professor of biblical studies, director of the Center for Hebraic Thought'Byrd contends that we are in need of a more robust theology of sexuality--what does it mean to be man? Woman? Humans in relationship with one another? So much that is written in this category is combative, overly simplistic, or individualistic. Byrd turns to Scripture, specifically the Song of Songs, to ponder these matters anew. She finds there a love canticle that showcases the beauty of unity, individual uniqueness and gifting, and desire at its best. Throughout, Byrd points to the example of the love of God made flesh in Jesus Christ. This book is a great starting place to move beyond old battles stuck in stalemate or tired of fighting.' -- Nijay K. Gupta, professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary'Where liberal scholarship diminishes Christ in the Song of Songs, Aimee Byrd exalts him according to classical exegesis. In conversation with great expositors from Nyssa and Augustine to Spurgeon and Jenson, Byrd challenges captive cultural interpretations, perverse gender discussions, and fallen power dynamics between men and women. Such profound biblical insights demon