A Review of The Genesis of Sex: Sexual Relationships in the First Book of the Bible

Our culture is beset with sexual sins and, sadly, very comfortably so. In such a culture, Christians have a real opportunity to bring the truth of scriptural teaching that is so applicable to the lives of people who are caught up in illicit sexual activity.

Dr. Robertson has penned a very helpful work for our time and culture. In reading it, we see how quickly God's design for man and woman in marriage was perverted in numerous ways by fallen man. He rightly begins his examination of relevant Genesis passages by explaining God's plan for marriage. In so doing, he provides God's standard against which all other sexual relationships can be measured as coming up far short of God's Word.

However, within marriage tension and hurt are often the fruit when one or both partners hold tenaciously to unbiblical tenets for the marriage relationship. Using examples from the first book in the Bible, Dr. Robertson provides incisive and insightful counsel for such topics as the love triangle, a believer who is married to an unbeliever, mismatched marriages, divorce, and second marriages.

He then turns to the covenantal aspects of covenant offspring, or lack thereof. In this section, Dr. Robertson provides sound instruction regarding the single parent, barrenness, and grandchildren.

One can rightly expect this volume to deal with lust, rape, incest, and homosexuality. The author does not shy away from any of these. His remarks are apt and applicable in aiding the reader to grasp and maintain a Biblical perspective in the midst of a world that rejoices in the availability and acceptance of these ungodly actions.

The volume concludes with helpful sections on "Sex and Singleness" and "Sex and the End of This Life."

As an additional aid for study a very helpful Scripture index is also included.

This book is important reading for our generation because of the sound scriptural counsel that is provided on so many topics that are seldom mentioned in the instructional goals in local churches.

This book evidences the depths and broadness to which Scripture speaks to these topics. Readers will be encouraged anew by the relevance of Scripture to every age and, thus, its necessary application to society if a culture is to be healthy.

Dr. Robertson's writing is clear, concise, very readable, and full of Scripture. Although his focus is on passages in Genesis, he incorporates passages from throughout the Bible. He thus shows that Scripture is consistent in its teaching. Because of the topics covered, family members as well as those who are single can read the volume with profit. Parents can find a wealth of instruction here to pass on to their covenant children.

His writing style provides good instruction as to how to speak forthrightly, yet delicately, on a number of topics on which all too many parents would prefer to say nothing.

This volume says much, but does so in a respectful, God-honoring, and Biblical manner. Sin is called sin. Sinners are pointed to their only hope Jesus Christ and the forgiveness that is found in Him alone.