The Gift of Sex, by Clifford & Joyce Penner Nashville (Book Review Sample)

The Gift of Sex
Name
Institution
The Gift of Sex

Biblical Perspective
The Penners present a biblical viewpoint of the consequence of our individual sexuality and wonder of the sexual relationship within a marriage. According to them, sex was formed for harmony, reproduction and pleasure. Only animals have sex exclusively for reproduction, for they do not make love for enjoyment. Almost everyone as well as the church view human sexuality to be alienated from theology. Penner and Penner (2003) disputed that this is not a biblical explanation of human sexuality. God's assessment of the sexuality of the human being and sexuality in the marriage relationship is evidently portrayed in the Bible. Sexuality, Penner and Penner (2003) argue, is a gift from God to be practiced and enjoyed between two people.
The link between a man and his wife is one of the sincere commitment one human can make to another. It is a lifetime pledge to respect, value, and to be true until death to another individual. God gave the valued gift of sex in the context of a matrimonial relationship only. The Song of Solomon in the bible gives clear information of how a wedded couple is to completely take pleasure in each other’s bodies. They are encouraged to be fervent. Sex is not wickedness; the abuse of sex is wickedness. The bible itself embraces a pro-sex message. In reality, from a biblical point of view, there is no reason to hold back from sex within marriage. The pair is liberated to take pleasure in sex as long as it is shared and done in a spirit of adoration and admiration for each other (Penner & Penner, 2003).
Critique
Sexuality is part of Gods plan of creation. Our sexuality reveals the likeness of God in two magnitudes: Our sexual performance- humankind was given the authority to turn into one, and our performance and connection as a pair- humankind was given authority and selection. The fact that God gave the gift of sex in the context of a matrimonial relationship only, sex within marriage is significant as it engrosses the total offering of one to another, so much so that they become one, within the limitations of a lifetime pledge. As much as the bible embraces a pro-sex relationship a biblical point of view, there is no reason to hold back from sex within marriage. This is because, within a marriage pair is liberated to take pleasure in sex as long as it is shared and done in a spirit of adoration and admiration for each other. In this context, not only should sex be used for harmony, reproduction but also for pleasure.
The Physical Dimension
The authors consider that sex is also a religious and emotional act, linking the whole person, the body, and spirit. Every individual holds a physical representation, which are thoughts about poor bodily manifestation. According to the Penners, there are three things that affect how we perceive ourselves" The sensory experience, the criticism we get as we grow up and models with which we evaluate ourselves. We change our position as God’s creation when are lost in thought with the disappointment of our bodies (Penner & Penner, 2003).
Our lowered body image can be changed through examining our outlooks and distinguish if they echo who we truly are. Different forms of our bodies can also be transformed through other means. All that is required is a reassessment of whom and what we have compared ourselves to and ensure that realistic models are being utilized (Penner & Penner, 2003).
When God formed our bodies, it was very good. What is included here is sexual parts. By no means are these accompanied by sexual feelings bit it occurs during our teens. Testosterone is the main hormone that compels both men and women and is accountable for sex drive. For these reason, it becomes imperative for individuals with this issues to become checked by a doctor (Penner & Penner, 2003).
Critique
Sexual intercourse is not required for a filled sexual reaction, nor does sexual contact ensure a full sexual discharge. Beside the physical feature of sex, there is a holy part of sex, which is frequently deserted by today's civilization. A disclosure of this realism brings with it liberty and realization in God and in matrimony. Although there might be many diverse impediments that can happen to every married couple, there is optimism and help for every person. With the right outlook towards each one, couples can get help and conquer any sexual dissatisfaction. Apart from that, we should not let our lowered body image change our ways of examining our outlooks. We should realize that different forms of our bodies can also be transformed through other means, and all that we need to do is to reassess ourselves. We should know that we are Gods creations made from his own image and we should by no means let anyone or thing say otherwise.
The Total Experience
Spending time with your partner is significant in increasing sexual interest. Time used up together that are planned and free from stress, strain, diversion and responsibility are a component of the total experience and Preserved energy for the period of sexual contact is vital for sexual desire (Penner & Penner, 2003).
The Word of God communicates how physical contentment is expected. Some people get predisposed to tense up instead of remaining calmed down, because of their stiff, high-minded upbringing. They experience complexity in getting or giving enjoyment. The couple has to also work on their hurdles to giving and getting satisfaction. What they do not realize is that they both need to converse to the other what they like and hate (Penner & Penner, 2003).
On the other hand, enjoying ourselves is affection without expectation, which is essential in the marital relationship. It can be accomplished without any strains or expectation. Even having fun is a way to be imaginative and take advantage of the free will God gave within marriage (Babst, 2002). This is a significant component in a fulfilling relationship since God did not make sex solely for physical discharge, but to join tow spirits- psychologically and physically.
Critique
Which is essential in the marital relationship, we should learn the dissimilarity between sexual longing and sexual provocation. This is taught through learning the word of God. Stimulation is your body’s comeback to stimulus, a process of physical transformation. Sexual desire is an expression of our sex drive. It is important to tackle problems, clear out disruptions, and assume responsibility for our individual pleasure.
On the other hand, it is important to know that it is only the word of God that communicates how physical contentment is expected. As much some individual’s people experience complexity in getting or giving enjoyment or sometimes get predisposed to tense up instead of remaining calmed down, each and every one of us should learn to work on our hurdle rather than give up. It is important for each person to learn to communicate their feelings.
When Sex is not working
One problem that may have an effect on a woman during sex is if she has a problem in acknowledging her right to be given pleasure. She may have difficulties agreeing to go, dreading orgasm; does not anticipate happiness for herself, putting her focal point on making the man; her sex hormones may be influenced by her deprived diet.
According to the Penners (2003), praying is a mode of acknowledging that the satisfaction of sex is fated by God. Therefore, every couple must ask God into the bedroom, through prayer prior to or subsequent to sexual experience. Separating God from their sexuality may impede their freedom to enjoy sexual pleasure. Both partners can take control for their sex life by through devoting time and energy (Penner & Penner, 2003). A couple can also conquer their dissimilarities and look for ways to make it easy to cope in their relationship. When it comes to sex, especially when it is not working, every couple has to find ways of sorting out their dissimilarity. One of the ways discussed is through getting adjusted to these dissimilarity through conversing, recognizing the differences, and taking actions to lessen defensiveness (LaHaye, 1998).Time spent together is equally important and should be well planned out and synchronized. A couple should make sex a priority in their relationship, while avoiding demand for stimulation or intercourse. Couples should also come together and settle on what is suitable for them, whether morally or biblically. There are conventional advances and tentative approaches in deciding diverse places, location, and stimulation.
Critique
Even though our bodies were created for enjoyment, a person can still come across sexual troubles. One of the underlying principles for sexual problems is the deficiency of familiarity regarding what is standard and normal, how to get pleasure from the body, and appreciating the sexual progression. This may lead to evasion, but impulsively or consciously.
Sex is a beautiful experience that should be practiced inside the limitations of a matrimonial covenant. Both partners can take control for their sex life through devoting time and energy for one another. Apart from that, a couple can conquer their dissimilarities especially when sex it is not working through conversing, recognizing the differences, and taking actions to lessen defensiveness. It is important for a couple to make sex a priority in their relationship, while avoiding demand for stimulation or intercourse so as to achieve planned out and synchronized sex life. One way this can be achieved is if a couple spends time If God is brought into such a relationship, it definitely takes it to another level of independence and intimacy. Despite the fact the world has dishonored what God created, once a couple receives the understanding of the reality about...