Justin Taylor's introduction is an excellent entry way into the book. In other words, it does what a good introduction should do without revealing too much from the book. Taylor first sets the tone of the book by looking at the issue of "What The Bible Says about Sex." Going beyond looking for specific references to the word SEX, Taylor places sex within the broader Biblical context of "all things." In other words sex is something God has created and whenever the Bible exhorts believers about "all things" sex would find a home in that category. From this Taylor derives a list of truths about sex (God created it, it exists by the will of Christ, it is caused by God, subject to Christ, it is being renewed, it is good, it is lawful in the context of marriage, we do it to the glory of God-yes, really - for the rest of the list you will need to grab the book). Taylor's list which spans two pages gives a good idea that sex needs to be received as a gift, yet handled in the way God designed it. Taylor does a good job in the intro highlighting the shame and difficulty the church has at times talking about sex. He does a good job distinguishing between a proper shame about the things done in our world with sex and a dangerous, unwaranted, unhealthy hesistancy to apply the Word of God to this area of life. Before sketching briefly what each chapter of the book will cover, Taylor lays out what is a good summary for this book "Sex is a Pointer to, Not a Substitute for God" - in a sex saturated, sex worshipping culture this is a refreshing point of view. We are well aware that our culture is obsessed with sex, but the idolatry of a culture should not extinguish the God-ordained purposes for the great gift of sexuality. So boldy this book brings forward the truth that sex is a pointer to God himself. That sex is an earthly peek at something more heavenly may be a bit surprising to some. The question may come to many "Just what does Sex have to do with the Supremacy of Christ" - oh, friends this book is a refreshing answer to that question. Here you will not find a simple "don't do this, don't do that" that can at times over-run Christian discussions of sex. No, here you will see the divine design for sexuality, that it is designed to illustrate, yes, even to point to, something about God. Relational oneness and unity, adultery, fornication, marriage, sexual intercourse, birth - are all illustrations of God's relationship with his people. Yes, you will want to read on. In the final phase of the introduction, Taylor stands a good post and lets us know what is coming in each of the chapters yet without giving you too much info. A proper introduction peaks the hunger of the reader to dig into the coming chapers to find gems for the soul - Taylor does this with great success. I found myself wanting to flip to each of the chapters (and did a few times) as they were described, but I also knew that the intro was not giving me the cliff notes either. Overall the introduction sets the table well, peaks interest, and launches the book into the first chapters by John Piper which provide the major thesis. I look forward to cranking through the rest - this one looks like it will be an invaluable resource to parents, pastors, and lay people alike. If you ever wondered how to give young people a vision for their sexuality that is bigger, deeper, and truer than "just hold back those passions until you can let it go some day in marriage" this looks to be a book for you. --> Back to Main Review Page

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