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The Bare Facts: 39 Questions Your Parents Hope You Never Ask About Sex
Sex is everywhere. And misunderstandings about it are even more pervasive. Whether you have questions of your own and don’t know who to ask, or you are being asked questions and don’t know where to turn—this small book has the answers. Bestselling author and speaker, Josh McDowell believes that no question is off limits and that knowledge, not ignorance, is the key to youthful purity and a fulfilling marriage and family. This book builds on that approach with relevant, pertinent statistics, entertaining anecdotes, and real stories. This little book will be a very practical tool in the hands of anyone who is struggling, anyone who is curious, anyone who is nervous about asking a "dumb question," and most importantly, anyone who desires to learn how to honor God with his or her body. The Bible is clear on a lot of these issues and Josh's candor (and respect for young people) shines through as he shares these truths about sex. Much like Josh's apologetics books, this book will help equip a skeptical generation with the facts they are sorely missing.
128 pages, Paperback
First published June 16, 2011
10 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Josh McDowell
518 books649 followersJosh McDowell is a bestselling Christian apologist, evangelist, and author of over 150 books, including Evidence That Demands a Verdict and More Than a Carpenter. Once an agnostic, he converted to Christianity while investigating its historical claims. He went on to earn degrees from Wheaton College and Talbot Theological Seminary. For decades, McDowell has been a prominent speaker with Campus Crusade for Christ, addressing issues of faith, character, and youth culture worldwide. His work emphasizes historical and legal evidence for Christianity and tackles challenges posed by skepticism and non-Christian beliefs. He lives in California with his wife, Dottie, and is the father of four children, including fellow apologist Sean McDowell.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 31, 2014
Where was this book ten years ago?! Seriously! Normally I don't advocate for abstinence only education (stats prove that a well rounded sex-ed class decreases teen pregnancy drastically, schools that teach abstinence only generally have more pregnant teens and rampant STDs), but if this were the required reading I would definitely reconsider my stance. Unlike a lot of other books in this sub-genre, author Josh McDowell, doesn't just tell teens not to have pre-marital sex because God doesn't want them to, he talks about the science why. Now that is a way to get kids listening. Some of the statistics on STDs, birth control, and condoms were scary, even to me! I can't imagine what a teen would think (hopefully to wait a bit). Most teens aren't motivated solely by the bible, sometimes they need an extra push to do the right thing and this book definitely provides that. While their is a lot of Biblical tie-ins (this is a Christian sexuality book) that is the sole research McDowell uses. He sites studies from Planned Parenthood, the Kaiser foundation, Dr. Ruth, the CDC, and hundreds others. He really did his research and that shows! 19 out of 25 STDs aren't prevented by condoms, 80% of all woman will have HPV by the time they are 50, couples who co-habite before marriage have a higher chance of divorce than those who don't, and so on. Some of the statistics were really shocking!
If this book doesn't change your teens mind it will at least force them to think about the consequences of pre-marital sex. A must read for Christian teens, youth groups, and abstinence only education.
I received this book for free from Moody Publishing in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
If this book doesn't change your teens mind it will at least force them to think about the consequences of pre-marital sex. A must read for Christian teens, youth groups, and abstinence only education.
I received this book for free from Moody Publishing in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
February 16, 2022
Un muy excelente libro, lo recomiendo al 100%
Las preguntas que abarca y sus respuestas son sin lugar a dudas muy directas y enfocadas desde la perspectiva cristiana, sin duda aprendí mucho sobre el tema central del libro el cual es el sexo. Me encantó mucho que este libro es directo en responder a las preguntas planteadas ya que en una sociedad cada vez más hipersexualizada es necesario tener muy claro estos temas referentes al sexo para poder llevar una vida sexual sana y poder ayudar a quien lo necesite.
En este libro se pueden encontrar respuestas a preguntas muy específicas y eso es algo muy importante, a pesar de tener ya varios años de su publicación este libro sigue siendo muy actual en cuanto al contenido que ofrece.
Recomiendo este libro a todos aquellos que de una manera u otra están luchando o han luchado con la presión sexual de la sociedad actual, la cual está influenciando a la juventud a llevar una vida sexualmente activa antes del matrimonio.
Abordar el tema del sexo muchas veces se vuelve difícil o poco específico en ciertas situaciones sim embargo este libro es un buen recurso para comenzar a educarse en cuanto a la importancia de guardar la pureza sexual en un mundo lleno inmoralidad sexual.
Las preguntas que abarca y sus respuestas son sin lugar a dudas muy directas y enfocadas desde la perspectiva cristiana, sin duda aprendí mucho sobre el tema central del libro el cual es el sexo. Me encantó mucho que este libro es directo en responder a las preguntas planteadas ya que en una sociedad cada vez más hipersexualizada es necesario tener muy claro estos temas referentes al sexo para poder llevar una vida sexual sana y poder ayudar a quien lo necesite.
En este libro se pueden encontrar respuestas a preguntas muy específicas y eso es algo muy importante, a pesar de tener ya varios años de su publicación este libro sigue siendo muy actual en cuanto al contenido que ofrece.
Recomiendo este libro a todos aquellos que de una manera u otra están luchando o han luchado con la presión sexual de la sociedad actual, la cual está influenciando a la juventud a llevar una vida sexualmente activa antes del matrimonio.
Abordar el tema del sexo muchas veces se vuelve difícil o poco específico en ciertas situaciones sim embargo este libro es un buen recurso para comenzar a educarse en cuanto a la importancia de guardar la pureza sexual en un mundo lleno inmoralidad sexual.
September 28, 2011
In college, I studied to teach sex education. As a parent of a teen male, I am constantly looking for good resources for him to learn to make healthy choices. The Bare Facts toted 39 questions your parents hope you never ask about sex. This book was right up my alley.
However, that was not the case. This was not a bad book but the title does not prepare the reader for the Christian feel of the book.
I was thoroughly impressed with Josh McDowell's view of the bible, saying that he believe God wants us to have sex but wait until we are married. There's a lot to be said for taking that viewpoint.
The book did fall flat for me, though. There was a lot of discussion of STD's, especially HPV. I understand the transmission rates have increased but over half of the book focused on why sex out of marriage leads to STDs. I think that's a naive approach and one that will turn readers away. But then again, reading the book in bits and pieces might be how the author intended it to be used. I sat and read it cover to cover and in the end, I no longer cared that the premise was awesome.
I did like the start of the book and the argument for waiting to have sex. I prefer that concept to "just say no". There was some great stuff at the end as well when Josh McDowell starts talking about peer pressure and how it's never too late to live God's original design.
As someone who's not a Christian, I was torn. There may be Christian reviewers out there who love the message in this book. I was left uninspired even though I felt that way early in the book.
However, that was not the case. This was not a bad book but the title does not prepare the reader for the Christian feel of the book.
I was thoroughly impressed with Josh McDowell's view of the bible, saying that he believe God wants us to have sex but wait until we are married. There's a lot to be said for taking that viewpoint.
The book did fall flat for me, though. There was a lot of discussion of STD's, especially HPV. I understand the transmission rates have increased but over half of the book focused on why sex out of marriage leads to STDs. I think that's a naive approach and one that will turn readers away. But then again, reading the book in bits and pieces might be how the author intended it to be used. I sat and read it cover to cover and in the end, I no longer cared that the premise was awesome.
I did like the start of the book and the argument for waiting to have sex. I prefer that concept to "just say no". There was some great stuff at the end as well when Josh McDowell starts talking about peer pressure and how it's never too late to live God's original design.
As someone who's not a Christian, I was torn. There may be Christian reviewers out there who love the message in this book. I was left uninspired even though I felt that way early in the book.
April 14, 2022
Are you a youth?? Solo I highly recommend it to you!! Read it now now now
June 2, 2014
Authors Josh McDowell and Erin Davis tackle some tough issues in The Bare Facts: 39 Questions Your Parents Hope You Never Ask About Sex, published by Moody Publishers. In this no-nonsense, honest, and biblical approach, McDowell and Erin answer some of teens’ most common questions about purity, STDs, safe sex, and cohabitation.
Here’s just a sampling of questions addressed in the book:
• Can sex affect my brain?
• Isn’t it safe sex if we use a condom?
• Is there a relationship between premarital sex and mental health?
• Is it okay to have anal sex?
• Is it okay to have oral sex?
• Is sexting wrong?
• How far is too far?
In The Bare Facts, teens will discover honest answers supported by research, many even surprising answers. But they may not like the answers they find! McDowell and Davis show how science, psychology, and sociology actually support God’s original design for marriage, sex, and the family. They also help teens identify a range of consequences for sex outside of God’s original design, including depression, rejection, anger, insecurity, suicide, STDs and unplanned pregnancy.
While it’s probably an unpopular view in today’s culture, this is a much needed viewpoint. It’s not only biblical, but it’s grounded in sociological and psychological truths. Unfortunately, many parents fail to talk about these types of issues with their children, so this book definitely fills a niche. It’s one my youth minister husband plans to buy and make available for teens to read and pass around to their friends. The Bare Facts is also a helpful resource for parents who do want to talk candidly with their kids about sex but may not be equipped to answer some these questions. Additionally, it may be a helpful book for youth workers and mentors who work with teens.
About the Authors
Josh McDowell - As a young man, Josh McDowell considered himself an agnostic. He truly believed that Christianity was worthless. However, when challenged to intellectually examine the claims of Christianity, Josh discovered compelling, overwhelming evidence for the reliability of the Christian faith. In 1961 Josh joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ International. Not long after, he started the Josh McDowell Ministry to reach young people worldwide with the truth and love of Jesus.
Erin Davis - A popular speaker, author and blogger, Erin Davis has addressed women of all ages nationwide and is passionately committed to sharing God's Truth with others. She is the author of several books including Graffiti: Learning to See the Art in Ourselves, True Princess: Embracing Humility in an All About Me World, The Bare Facts with Josh McDowell and Beyond Bath Time: Embracing Motherhood As a Sacred Role. Erin's quest for the perfect scoop of ice cream is never ending and her family is her constant source of entertainment.
* I received a copy of the book from Moody Publishers for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Here’s just a sampling of questions addressed in the book:
• Can sex affect my brain?
• Isn’t it safe sex if we use a condom?
• Is there a relationship between premarital sex and mental health?
• Is it okay to have anal sex?
• Is it okay to have oral sex?
• Is sexting wrong?
• How far is too far?
In The Bare Facts, teens will discover honest answers supported by research, many even surprising answers. But they may not like the answers they find! McDowell and Davis show how science, psychology, and sociology actually support God’s original design for marriage, sex, and the family. They also help teens identify a range of consequences for sex outside of God’s original design, including depression, rejection, anger, insecurity, suicide, STDs and unplanned pregnancy.
While it’s probably an unpopular view in today’s culture, this is a much needed viewpoint. It’s not only biblical, but it’s grounded in sociological and psychological truths. Unfortunately, many parents fail to talk about these types of issues with their children, so this book definitely fills a niche. It’s one my youth minister husband plans to buy and make available for teens to read and pass around to their friends. The Bare Facts is also a helpful resource for parents who do want to talk candidly with their kids about sex but may not be equipped to answer some these questions. Additionally, it may be a helpful book for youth workers and mentors who work with teens.
About the Authors
Josh McDowell - As a young man, Josh McDowell considered himself an agnostic. He truly believed that Christianity was worthless. However, when challenged to intellectually examine the claims of Christianity, Josh discovered compelling, overwhelming evidence for the reliability of the Christian faith. In 1961 Josh joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ International. Not long after, he started the Josh McDowell Ministry to reach young people worldwide with the truth and love of Jesus.
Erin Davis - A popular speaker, author and blogger, Erin Davis has addressed women of all ages nationwide and is passionately committed to sharing God's Truth with others. She is the author of several books including Graffiti: Learning to See the Art in Ourselves, True Princess: Embracing Humility in an All About Me World, The Bare Facts with Josh McDowell and Beyond Bath Time: Embracing Motherhood As a Sacred Role. Erin's quest for the perfect scoop of ice cream is never ending and her family is her constant source of entertainment.
* I received a copy of the book from Moody Publishers for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
September 9, 2014
When I got this book my first gut impression was this would make a good resource, but not an inclusive all in one stop on the topic. I asked my teens what they thought about it and they kinds just skimmed it to sections that appealed to them and ignored the rest. My daughter like the cover with the couple touching heads, my son thought it was horrible. You cant please everyone. What I heard from them both though was that the book was a little dull and they expected more stories around each chapter topic, not just a lot of facts thrown at them. It started to loose their interest. They seemed to like the bible references and that the book was laid out for them to easily find topics at the front so they did not have to hunt things down and weed through "parts they didn't need or want".
Personally I enjoyed the discussion guide aspect of the book and I think that if it was not their mom talking about these topics they would have been more open, but to them I was prying by asking "leading" questions. I think this would be a great tool for a youth group leader to go over with kids and would open up some great topics for discussion. It just did not work well in the home environment . The one thing I would say that none of us like was the huge bold print of "Sex". The kids felt embarrassed to bring the book with them anywhere and I personally thought it brought too much attention to the topic if a child wanted to read it but keep it more unknown with what they were reading.
Disclaimer:
I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The Moody Publishers Review Crew.
Personally I enjoyed the discussion guide aspect of the book and I think that if it was not their mom talking about these topics they would have been more open, but to them I was prying by asking "leading" questions. I think this would be a great tool for a youth group leader to go over with kids and would open up some great topics for discussion. It just did not work well in the home environment . The one thing I would say that none of us like was the huge bold print of "Sex". The kids felt embarrassed to bring the book with them anywhere and I personally thought it brought too much attention to the topic if a child wanted to read it but keep it more unknown with what they were reading.
Disclaimer:
I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The Moody Publishers Review Crew.
July 27, 2011
MY REVIEW:
Informative. Biblical. Sobering. Straight-forward. Honest.
This book is an open look at sex from multiple aspects through a Biblical lens. It answers 39 questions that most teens probably wonder about but never have the courage to ask their parents about. Quite honestly, there are parts of this book that I would be hesitant in talking about with my teens!
I really appreciate the Biblical framework of this book and the honest way McDowell approaches each question. I walked away from this book being amazed at the perfect way in which God created us and how blessed and purely delightful sex is when kept in God's context. However, it's also a sobering look at the hardships produces by sex outside of God's plan. The Bare Facts covers purity, STDs, what love really is, premarital sex and it's impact, masturbation, sexual addiction, God's forgiveness, and much more. I would highly recommend all parents to read this book so you are prepared to answer questions. And really, all married adults would benefit from reading this book. While it is written for teens, I highly recommend it being older teens and encouraged each parent to use caution and discernment based on what your teen already knows. And it should go without saying, read it before they read it!
* * * * *
This review copy was provided for review courtesy of Moody Publishers through NetGalley, but the opinion expressed is my own.
Informative. Biblical. Sobering. Straight-forward. Honest.
This book is an open look at sex from multiple aspects through a Biblical lens. It answers 39 questions that most teens probably wonder about but never have the courage to ask their parents about. Quite honestly, there are parts of this book that I would be hesitant in talking about with my teens!
I really appreciate the Biblical framework of this book and the honest way McDowell approaches each question. I walked away from this book being amazed at the perfect way in which God created us and how blessed and purely delightful sex is when kept in God's context. However, it's also a sobering look at the hardships produces by sex outside of God's plan. The Bare Facts covers purity, STDs, what love really is, premarital sex and it's impact, masturbation, sexual addiction, God's forgiveness, and much more. I would highly recommend all parents to read this book so you are prepared to answer questions. And really, all married adults would benefit from reading this book. While it is written for teens, I highly recommend it being older teens and encouraged each parent to use caution and discernment based on what your teen already knows. And it should go without saying, read it before they read it!
* * * * *
This review copy was provided for review courtesy of Moody Publishers through NetGalley, but the opinion expressed is my own.
October 17, 2021
Монгол хэл дээр уншив.
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January 3, 2012I didn't add this book, go figure..
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews