In social circles, there are specific topics that many people try to avoid, such as politics and religion. Don’t get me wrong that doesn’t mean that people do not bring them up.  

That list gets even more expansive in the church, certainly avoiding partisan topics, doubt, mental health, suicide, heresy, and those very unpleasant verses of scripture. But above all, the issue that many, if not most, churches try to avoid is sexuality. 

Typically, most churches will avoid talking about sex altogether. And even if they are willing to talk about it, the subject is outsourced to the latest purity culture book produced by a publisher that the church has reluctant theological constraints.  

But why? Why is the church so uncomfortable talking about sex and sexuality? Does the sacred text not contain one of the most ancient erotic books in Song of Songs?  

And if we are not willing to talk about it, where are Jesus’ followers going to get their education on sexuality?  

“Purity culture stunted and warped my prepubescent sexual development, like a tree growing through cement. My sexuality became a sin before I had a handle on its power,” said Brenda Marie Davies on the CBF Podcast.  

We sat down with the creator of the God is Grey platform to discuss her new book, “On Her Knees: Memoir of a Prayerful Jezebel,” and discuss the church’s relationships with sexuality.  

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This podcast episode is brought to you by The Center for Congregational Health, Baptist Seminary of Kentucky, and McAfee School of Theology Doctor of Ministry program.  

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Andy Hale is the creator and host of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Podcast. Hale is the senior pastor of University Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, following eight years as the founding pastor of Mosaic Church of Clayton and five years as CBF’s church start specialist. Follow on Twitter @haleandy