What is the Bible's stance on such controversial issues as homosexuality and polygamy, and what does it have to say about sexual behaviors that some would deem sick or criminal? Is sex always wrong if it is not used to create life? Ellens's book answers these and other questions related to the Bible's take on sex. Arguing that our understanding of what the Bible has to say about sex is frequently misguided, Ellens corrects our impressions with a look at the Scriptures themselves. He considers what they might have meant to people in the past and reflects on how we understand, or misunderstand, them today. Focusing on early interpretations and contemporary misconceptions, Ellens guides readers through what the Bible actually says, showing how these messages have been interpreted in different contexts and suggesting new ways of reading and translating them for use in our own lives. Readers hoping to reach a better understanding of the Bible's stance on sexual practices and sexuality in general will find their questions answered here. What does the story of Adam and Eve reveal about sex and sexuality? What does the Old Testament say about sex and how might we interpret that in our own lives today? How does the New Testament say we should behave in our sexuality and our lives? What lessons can we learn from a closer examination of the Bible and its teachings on human love, marriage, and sexuality? Ellens answers these questions and others in an effort to help the reader understand the Bible and its teaching on these and related issues.