This weekend marks the release of Matt Williams first book, entitled Eden Derailed: A Theology of Sex. ?Recently, Scott Mozingo sat down with Matt to get a little insight into the book’s content and purpose behind this work.
Scott Mozingo: Why did you decide to write this book?
Matt Williams:?The issues of sex and sexuality cut to the very core of our identity and are connected to our deepest need for intimacy. These are big issues because that is how God created us. Our culture is obsessed with sex because it can be a short cut to intimacy. ?But like all short cuts, it just brings more pain. All the while, the church remains silent. The reality is, the culture should be coming to the church to learn about sex and intimacy. So, we have to speak and bring forth a credible voice.
? ?
SM: Is it a stretch to say there is a “theology of sex” in the Bible?
MW: No, it’s not a stretch. The Bible begins with people being created male and female and left naked in a garden and ends with the death of a whore and a marriage feast. ?In between, there is every kind of sexual sin you can imagine and a Creator God who is not just saying “I told you not to do that” but actually bringing redemption out of our brokenness.?
SM: What makes this book different than other books on sex?
MW:?Other books stink…this is awesome! ?But seriously folks….this book gives a theological foundation and some real “why” answers to tough questions but also strives to communicate in a way that is accessible and seeks to give direction that is practical. ?Because of the way this topic is handled and the way this book is written, I feel like it is?applicable to all age groups from high school students to seniors.
I feel like [this book] is applicable to all age groups, from high school students to seniors.
SM: Who do you hope will read this book?
MW:?I hope this is a book that men and women will both want to read. ?Not only to get insight about the opposite sex but also about themselves. ?In particular, I did want to write something that gave specific and clear insight without being gratuitous. ?I wanted women to feel comfortable reading a book about sex and not feeling embarrassed to encourage other women to read it.
SM: If you could give one piece of advice to an unmarried person related to this topic, what would it be?
MW:?I would challenge them to think through the relationship between intimacy and commitment. Our culture lets intimacy lead in our dating relationships and then commitment follows. I would encourage them to explore what it looks like to be intentional and not let intimacy define the relationship. ?Intentionally, doing things a certain way, making commitment the priority – and intimacy trailing behind – seems to be a more God honoring pattern and leads to less heart break.
I would encourage [an unmarried person] to explore what it looks like to be intentional and not let intimacy define the relationship.
SM:?What did you learn about communicating, specifically on this topic, during the writing process?
MW:?That writing and speaking are not the same. Writers are the hardest workers in the world. I will never make fun of them again. I will keep my day-job of speaking.?
MW: Finally, I would like to thank God and my family… I never could have done this without your support. And in the words of Yogi Berra I would also “like to thank all the people who made this day necessary”.
For more information on Eden Derailed, visit www.edenderailed.com.
Source: http://gracechurchscpastors.blogspot.com/2011/07/q-from-author-of-eden-derailed.html
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