I requested the chance to review Sex, Lies and Religion because I know Randy Elrod to be a good man and I wanted see the results of the research he'd spoken of many times on Twitter.  After I received my PDF copy for a review, I began to wonder if it was a good idea.  As someone who had been addicted to pornography and struggles with lust, I began to wonder if perhaps I should have e-mailed Randy with a "thank you...but on second thought..." message.  I went into the book wondering if this was going to be a "the church is bad/we're free in Christ to do anything/do whatever you want" book.

It's not...in fact, Randy Elrod does a very good job at explaining the differences between the concept of love, passion and sex as defined by the Scriptures and the way it's been twisted by the world.  He lays out the case for the way many Christians have misunderstood the acts of love within a relationship and blows away many of the man-created myths regarding sexuality.  He also effectively destroys the case any lust addict or porn addict could build for the world they put around themselves.  You cannot read this book and walk away looking at sex and freedom in Christ the same...especially if that view has been shaped by the confines of man-made "religion."

Now, on the down side, this is not an easy book to read at the outset.  This is a book you really have to work at especially when he's referencing the world of art to build his case early in the book.  It's necessary for him to do this to build the basis for the rest of the book...which is a much easier read...but if you don't know going in that you're going to have to work at it there's a good chance you would put it back down.  I can see people getting through the first chapter and just thinking they don't have the time to get to the rest of the book.  It would be a shame if that happened but I could easily see it. 

Overall, if you can accept this isn't a book you'd take to read on the beach (although if you read it you might do other things there) you could likely take a lot away from Sex, Lies and Religion.  Elrod builds a solid case for his positions, backs it with Biblical evidence and gives practical advice on how to experience freedom in this part of your life that too many Christians wall off because of the conventions of religion.  I would give the book four stars out of five.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from cre:ate 2.0 Publishing to read and post a review on my site. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.