Talking Back to Purity Culture: Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality

Written by Rachel Joy Welcher and Scott Sauls

Narrated by Sarah Zimmerman

It's time to talk back.

The generation born into evangelical purity culture has grown up, and many have started families of their own. But as time goes on, it's becoming more evident that many still struggle with purity culture's complicated legacy-its idolization of virginity, its mixed messages about modesty and lust, and its promise of a healthy marriage and great sex for those who follow the rules. In Talking Back to Purity Culture, Rachel Joy Welcher reviews the movement carefully, examining its teachings through the lens of Scripture. Compassionate, faithful, and wise, she charts a path forward for evangelicals in the ongoing debates about sexuality-one that rejects legalism and license alike, steering us back instead to the good news of Jesus. It's time to talk back to purity culture-and this book is ready to jump-start the conversation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ChristianAudio.com
• Release date: Nov 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781545916377

Rachel Joy Welcher

Rachel Joy Welcher (MLit, University of St. Andrews) is a columnist and editor at Fathom magazine. She is the author of two books of poetry: Blue Tarp and Two Funerals, Then Easter. She lives in Glenwood, Iowa, with her husband, Evan.

Reviews for Talking Back to Purity Culture

[Timothy Berg · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A sensitive examination and theologically rich critique of purity culture and its dangers. Far from abandoning the historic Christian sexual ethic, Welcher calls us back to it by arguing that purity culture is a cheap substitute that externalizes rather than internalizes our sexual ethic, and that puts the accents in the wrong place in ways that minimize the gospel, ostracize the marginalized, and hurt the abused. If you teach regularly on “dress standards,” require a certain length of skirt for women in your youth group, or push “courting” as a biblical alternative to dating, this is a book you should read.

[Dana J. Moore · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An excellent and desperately needed book. I’d recommend The Great Sex Rescue book and the Reconstructing Faith podcast after reading this.

[Kaitlyn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent critique of purity culture while maintaining a high view of Scripture, emphasizing the primacy of the gospel in sanctification, and not compromising an inch of the Bible's teaching on sexuality.

[Elizabeth Robbins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I’m convinced everyone steeped in purity culture should go read this. Parents, men, women, same-sex attracted, teenagers. Everyone. Rachel’s writing is full of conviction and care, and she handles very sensitive topics with wisdom, providing a scriptural understanding on topics from virginity to intimacy in friendship.