HONEST SEX

by Rustum & Della Roy ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 26, 1968

The Rustums have based this book on a three year group study involving ""committed, contemporary-style Christians."" They confront the hydra-headed problems of sexual relationships in this changing society of ""sexual affluence"" due to safer contraception, greater exposure, more leisure. Indicting the Christian religious establishment for its failure (inertia) to provide a valid, viable ethic, as well as the old thou-shall-nots (of doubtful Origins), they primarily discuss the problems faced by the young unmarried, middle-class married couples, and single woman. In the first case, they take a hazier position inclining toward the traditional (the word ""virginity"" is to be de-emphasized and the sexual relationship should only follow after a deeper relationship Ins been established). However it is in the section dealing with married couples that the Rustums book is most honest. They make a strong argument for co-marital relationships; adultery is also a word to be de-emphasized; triangular relationships can serve as ""the vehicle of faithfulness to God"" when human need exists. Whether or not you believe in serving sympathy with tea, they do view sexuality as a means of communicating personal relationships and this is extended here in their discussion of the single woman, the homosexual, etc. The book is a considered, liberal, liberalizing critique with none of the loose showoffmanship of Pike and placed within an extensive theological frame of reference.

Pub Date: March 26, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: New American Library

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1968

Categories: NONFICTION