Eros Redeemed: Breaking the Stranglehold of Sexual Sin (ISBN 0830816976)

A fitting rejoinder to Eros Defiled:
I once heard John White describe the difficulty he encountered in getting Eros Defiled printed. No one had any quibbles with the quality of the book, they just thought that sexual sin was not a subject they wanted to touch. Nonetheless, someone took the risk and allowed it to be printed. If that earlier book hasn't already become a classic, it has at least earned an important place in Evangelical Literature as a starting point in seriously discussing sexual sin, how to conquer it, and how to deal with the guilt in the meantime. If there were any loose ends with Eros Defiled, Dr. White has largely tied them up with Eros Redeemed. He speaks very transparently about his own past. He mentions more guardedly the cases of people he has encountered in his years of counselling practice and even in less structured situations as an ordinary fellow-believer. He speaks sensitively both about defeats and victories. Most importantly, he offers hope that there is still a place where sexual purity and sanity meet.

Pursuing Wholeness:
Probably the best way I can describe John White's Eros Redeemed is to say that it is like finding yourself lost, broke and utterly exhausted in a distant land. At the point of desperation, you agree to approach the next traveler and beg for assistance. When he comes along, you discover to your amazement that he is not only fluent in your native language but that he has spent most of his life exploring the local countryside and the lands that lie beyond. Before you can catch your breath, he is imploring you to travel with him to meet his father who is lord of the realm and who has long been expecting your arrival with joy and anticipation. An acute observer of the events that shape our times, White clearly articulates the concerns that we all share as we witness the distinct signs of the disintegration of Western society and culture. He describes an era marked by darkness and death where hard-core pornography, rape and violent sex crime have become commonplace. So where is the Church as this sexually obsessed and violence prone society approaches a state of near chaos? White notes that the incidence of sexual sin and addiction have become increasingly common not only among Christian church members but also among the pastors, priests and elders that lead in it. He observes that although these things once shocked us, slowly we have begun to take them for granted. White suggests that sexual enslavement is a prime strategy of Satan in bringing judgment upon the church and the world. He reminds us that the main assignment of the Christian Church is the rescue and redemption of perishing human beings. In obeying Christ, we can allow the Holy Spirit to awaken the Church to its peril, turning large segments of it to repentance and faith to God. With skill and clarity, White dissects and exposes the root causes of sexual sin and offers hope for healing. He also provides insights for overcoming the destructive effects of traumatic memories and gender identity confusion. One of the things that puts Eros Redeemed in a class of its own is the author's determination and persistence in presenting a passionate relationship with Jesus as the best (and only) long-term hope for those seeking to escape the stranglehold of sexual sin and the violence and depravity that almost invariably accompany it. So convinced is he of this necessity that he devotes an entire chapter to the intricacies of drawing close to Jesus through prayer and learning to hear his voice. Eros Redeemed is a intelligently written and well thought out book for those desiring a more extensive and in-depth examination of the nature of sexual sin and its remedy through relationship with Jesus Christ.

Not what I expected:
In the past few weeks I have read a number of Christian books which attempt to take on the topic of sexual addiction. All have had their good points--some will enlighten readers to the many consequences of sexual sin, while others are better at pointing them in the direction of repentance and healing. This book, however, seemed to tackle too many aspects of sexual addiction, and I feel its effectiveness was spread thin as a result. White spends significant time writing about the social atmosphere regarding sexual sin. Satanic Ritual Abuse, sex and its link to violence, gender confusion, and the history of sexual addiction in the church may be important topics, but are nonetheless topics that most struggling Christians aren't seeking revelation in. I found myself skipping large sections of the book in order to find the chapters that spoke the most to my own walk. I am not a professional book critic ... but I am a Christian who has struggled with sexual addiction for a number of years. And this book seemed to fall short of its purpose. The one book that shined an all-encompassing light on my addiction was "Breaking Free: Sexual Addiction and the Healing Power of Jesus" by Russell Willingham.

Hope from the Bondage to Sexual Sin!:
Eros Redeemed by John White is the best book I have read that addresses the stranglehold of sexual sin with honesty and genuine care for anyone who is a counselee or counselor. With personal experiences from his own life and from the people he has to come to know and counseled, he provides a way for people who are suffering and cannot find a way out. It is gripping with love and the power of the Gospel to redeem anyone in any situation. Rather than all the emphasis being placed on professionals to help, it makes you realize you could be the one the Holy Spirit wants to use to help someone else trapped in sexual sin. What if you are trapped? There is an answer in there for you too! Revealing the dangers of sexual sin and the redemption that can be offered as people receive help and wait on the Lord for their healing, it touches the heart.

Know blessing:
Here is a secret I would like to share. This goes completely against the teaching for the natural man.. but for those who have the Spirit.. When you have committed your sins, don't wallow in guilt and self condemnation. Look up to heaven, see Jesus standing in heaven in your defence. See how pleased the Father is with the Son. See Christ is in you completely righteous and proclaiming His obedience to the Father- the resurrected Christ is in you. Reject your feelings of condemnation and walk in newness of life again. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death. When you believe who you are in Christ ,you will know the cleansing of the blood in the "twinkling of an eye" when you see Jesus as He is. This is called faith in the truth that is already in you.