Sexual Fulfillment: For Single and Married, Straight and Gay, Young and Old

Rating:
Summary: An absolutely amazing book!
Review: Chilstrom and Erdahl are both retired pastors and former bishops of their church. Maybe this fact shouldn't make a difference in whether or not to read such a well-written book, but I believe it provides a level of credibility to the positions they hold. They speak frankly to how their viewpoints on sexuality, especially on homosexuality, have changed over the years as they have studied the Bible and listened to God's leading in their lives. The level of tolerance and acceptance they hold and urge on others is a welcome surprise coming from men of the church of their generation. For anyone who has ever struggled with the reality that we are all created as sexual beings, but society (and, in general, the church) does not recognize all people as sexual beings, this book will be a refreshing read. It is, without a doubt, the best book on the subject that I have ever read or heard of. Each chapter ends with a "Dear Abby" Q&A format of related questions that have come up in counselling sessions. At the end of the book are questions for discussion that could be used for small group study. I wish I could personally thank these men for writing such a wonderful book!

Rating:
Summary: Opinion over Principle
Review: Herbert Chilstrom and Lowell Erdahl make use of the fact that they have been pastors and officials in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America to validate their book. The fact is that their book is neither evangelical nor Lutheran nor in keeping with the teachings of the church. Therefore they should in fairness have refrained from bolstering their opinions with references to their service in the church. The members of their church have every right to resent this.

The ELCA's constitution holds that the Scriptures are superior to human opinion and reason. Obviously this principle is not upheld by Erdahl and Chilstrom.

Rating:
Summary: Opinion over Principle
Review: Herbert Chilstrom and Lowell Erdahl make use of the fact that they have been pastors and officials in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America to validate their book. The fact is that their book is neither evangelical nor Lutheran nor in keeping with the teachings of the church. Therefore they should in fairness have refrained from bolstering their opinions with references to their service in the church. The members of their church have every right to resent this.

The ELCA's constitution holds that the Scriptures are superior to human opinion and reason. Obviously this principle is not upheld by Erdahl and Chilstrom.

Rating:
Summary: Neither helpful or Biblical
Review: This book takes tolerance to the point of ridiculous. Two former bishops in the Lutheran church--who therefore should have a strong sense of responsibility as teachers--Chilstrom and Erdahl claim to put forth a middle ground in this book on sexuality. Instead, they ultimately end up suggesting a life style that is hard to distinguish from "If it feels good, do it."

Their discussion on homosexuality is a good case-in-point. They had held the traditional church view until they met with many GLBT people who spoke openly about their sexuality. Based on this testimony the authors were convinced their previous conservative point of view was incorrect and over time started advocating for their church to change its stance.

This methodology would be akin to the following:
Over the course of my life I have met many alcoholics who claim
*their drinking has not hurt anyone
*everyone else is making a bigger deal about this then they should.
*their lifestyle is not the problem, rather it is all those AA people who are making their life terrible by convincing everyone that alcoholism is bad
*if judgemental people would just back off everyone could live happier lives

If I were to take this information from these first-hand, passionate sources and write a statement to the Lutheran church advocating for tolerance for alcoholics, I would be writing in the spirit of Chilstrom and Erdahl. My book would be very popular among people who are looking for an excuse to drink more and have theyir decadent desires ordained by the church. It would be very tolerant--as long as people overlook those who are hurt by it.

Chilstrom and Erdahl have overlooked many things in order to get their conclusions in this book. They have overlooked the true joy that comes from not following every sexual urge. They have overlooked harmful side affects (both physical and psychological) of some of the practices they are condoning. They have also overlooked what affect these practices have on the community around those who live them out. Finally, they have overlooked the biblical witness which claims that we are sinful beings and therefore our carnal desires _may_ not always be holy or healthy.

Rating:
Summary: Solid Coherent Eposition of Christian faith and Human Sexual
Review: Walks a fine path between conservative traditionalism and permissivism, Chilstrom and Erdahl's work offers practical Christian hope between the extremes.