ONE FLESH
By Amelia & Greg Clarke
Matthias Media/The Good Book Company. 154 pages. £6
ISBN 1 876326 42 5
There is a discussion as to how wise it is for an engaged couple to 'mug up' on the technicalities of sex in the run-up to marriage. Some ministers say it is not helpful, others say it is.
This book, from Australia, obviously comes from the stable which says that the more you know beforehand, the better. It opens with a number of scenarios in which the honeymoon night goes completely wrong. The idea is to give reassurance if things don't get off to the best of starts.
From there on, we are given a helpful biblical overview of sex and some practical guidance, including the different emotional needs of men and women in approaching sexual relations.
All this is good. However, I have some reservations about the book. First, the fact that Amelia Clarke, one of the authors, is a doctor specialising in sexual health does tend to make the book focus on problems which many couples may not wish to know about.
Secondly, a number of the practices which are commended might well offend some Christians with tender consciences. So, this book might be helpful, even to people who have been married for some time, but think carefully before you buy it or give it to someone.
The re-emergence of heavy shepherds
What would you think if you received a letter from your church leaders that read like this? ‘Are church …