The Failure of Sex Education in the Church: Mistaken Identity, Compromised Purity: Questions & Answers for Christian Dialogue

by Linda Bartlett

The Failure of Sex Education in the Mistaken Identity, Compromised Purity by Linda Bartlett is a “catechism” for parents, pastors, teachers, those struggling with sexual temptations, and everyone who is concerned about the sexualization of children. For a half-century, Christians and non-Christians alike have been taught to believe that “children are sexual from birth”. Nowhere in Scripture does God describe children this way. The phrase was coined by a humanist named Alfred Kinsey who believed infants and children can enjoy and benefit from early sexual activity. His social science was wrong, but his research was widely accepted. Our nation and even the Church were set on a dangerous course. By accepting Kinsey’s data and the expertise of other like-minded humanists, the Church played a role in bestowing a mistaken identity, compromising purity for multiple generations, and ultimately putting human lives at risk. A false identity has both temporal and eternal ramifications. With painstaking care, Bartlett explains why the Church can no longer participate in a tragically flawed social experiment and going beyond diagnosis, she proposes a hopeful, radical and thoroughly biblical remedy. Bartlett takes no delight in pointing out error, but is motivated by love for her own children and grandchildren and by a love for God’s Word. For the sake of all children, Christians need to know the origin of sex education, then What fellowship has light with darkness? Upon what foundation have we built? Young or old, single or married, who does God say that I am and what does this mean? For the sake of generational holiness and purity, Bartlett encourages honest and kind dialogue. The questions and answers in this book are a good place to start. Book • 250 page paperback • Over 230 footnotes with full bibliography • Provides history of conflicting worldviews • 107 questions and answers organized in chapters by topic • Resources and suggestions for parents included

Genres: Nonfiction

278 pages, Paperback

First published May 2, 2014

Reviews

[Adayla]

This is a must-read for any parent that is looking into this topic and how to teach their children. There are reasons why you've been hesitant to actually speak the words out loud that even Christian books are encouraging you to say.

This gave me so many things to consider and question. Why do we teach "sex education", when did it start, and is it accomplishing the goals that we want it to? This specifically addresses both classroom instruction, the conversations that take place between parent and child, and the Christians who participate in it and encourage it.

Highly convincing book with intelligent, direct questions written in a respectful tone and that encourages deep contemplation. Before using any particular discussion points with your children that you've found online or in Christian sex ed books, please read this book and consider the questions it poses.

[Bethany]

Overall, an excellent resource for Christian families and church workers seeking to care for the young men and women of all ages in their families and churches. Above all, Linda Bartlett's book is dedicated to debunking Alfred Kinsey's hypothesis that "children are sexual from birth"--a lie that has caused untold suffering and harm.

I had two favorite pieces of this book that I definitely want to keep in mind, so I'll write them here for future reference. First of all, the chart in Chapter 17 that offers suggestions for faithfully raising boys and girls and teaching them about their roles as men and women is FANTASTIC. It has a variety of resources and age-appropriate suggestions for guiding conversations. Second of all, one quote in particular caught my eye in Question #98: " 'True love waits,' they say. To that, other Christians may respond, 'No, true love marries.' " (Read the book to learn more about what that means.)

That said, I did have a few difficulties with format. In particular, the question-and-answer format was a little difficult to follow. That is in large part because, unfortunately, the questions are framed in a way that suggests more of an opinion-based or dramatic book than this actually is (or is intended to be). Don't be fooled by that, but it may affect who the best audience for the book is. I'd categorize this as a great reference book and resource, but as far as a strong widespread recommendation goes, I'd probably save that for the first and last chapters. But this is an excellent resource nonetheless for redefining what sex education in the world and the church is ACTUALLY based upon and what we should be trying to do to reshape and change that to fit what God's Word says.

[Steve Bliss]

Every parent, pastor, teacher and anyone who cares for our kids should read this book.