In Real Sex, heralded young author Lauren F. Winner speaks candidly to Christians about the difficulty–and the importance–of sexual chastity. With honesty and wit, she talks about her struggle to live a celibate life. Never dodging tough terms like “confession” and “sin,” Winner grounds her discussion of chastity first and foremost in Scripture. She confronts cultural lies about sex and challenges how we talk about sex in church. Her biblically grounded observations and suggestions will be especially valuable to unmarried Christians struggling with the sexual mania of today’s culture.

Real Sex is essential reading for Christians grappling with chastity and a valuable tool for pastors.

From the Back Cover: “With a winsome, direct, and engaging style full of beguiling humor and verve, Winner forcefully argues that chastity is the most unnatural of Christian virtues. The church must teach us who God has created us to be, must inculcate in us the practices and disciplines that we require if we are to be chaste in a world where it seems like everyone is hooking up with everyone else. While much of the current infatuation with ‘spiritual practices’ is rather thin, in reclaiming chastity as a spiritual discipline Winner gives substance to the notion of practice and thereby gives substance to the notion of church. . . . Real Sex is destined to be one of the most useful books for churches to be published this year.”–William H. Willimon, Christian Century

“Thank you, Lauren. Now we pastors have a book we can give with confidence to people we serve and lead who have questions about sexuality. It is gentle, firm, honest, candid, reverent, informed, wise, apt, warm, human, and–in the best sense of the word–spiritual.”–Brian McLaren, author of A New Kind of Christian, The Story We Find Ourselves In, and A Generous Orthodoxy

“It is unquestionably impossible to write a book about sex that is as exciting as the topic itself. But Lauren Winner comes close. She has written a book of beauty, mystery, stern challenge, and great joy. And she has written it in a humble, honest, literate, elegant voice. I hope it finds many readers.”–John Ortberg, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church

“[Winner] bring[s] honesty and integrity to matters concerning sexuality and faith. . . . She shares authentically about a challenging time of life with which many will identify and empathize. . . . Read [Real Sex] to help you engage the immediacy and earthiness of sexuality and spirituality today.”–Wayne A. Holst, National Catholic Reporter

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