A lot has happened in the past couple of weeks. The chapter I were that was cut last minute from the Baptimergent book was posted on Hombrewed Christianity (http://ht.ly/47xqD) and has been spreading around. I just want to say a couple of things about that. First, I support the larger project, which is in large part why I waited to put the chapter out online. Zach’s worked hard to put together a compelling book and it contains some great essays from several folks I’m thankful to count among my friends. That said, of course it stung more than a little to hear the news that the publishers cut my chapter. Perhaps the most frustrating part was that I’d gotten so excited about participating that I let my guard down. It really shouldn’t have been that big of a surprise. Ironically, I found the fear that the piece was “too gay” really curious given that the chapter was largely about my frustration with my experience of how church conversations have been reductive in just that way. In the end, the experience opened a lot of doors and helped me make lots of connections…and I think more folks have now read the chapter than would have if it had been included. So, thanks Smyth and Helwys for helping to get my work out there.
In the feedback from the Phoenix talks and the chapters, a couple of folks have asked about my use of the terms “sacred sex” and “resurrection sex.” What I mean by sacred sex is a consideration of sexual practice a form of embodied prayer. By prayer, I mean an act whose intent is to orient our attention towards God. So, sacred sex as a practice in my mind is an intention, it’s opening up to seeing and experiencing God in the embrace of another. It is reclaiming the profound power and beauty of the gift of sexual intimacy.
The term “resurrection sex,” which I used in my talk with Richard Rohr, was a direct reference to the Lazarus motif in my previous talk at Big Tent Phoenix (both talks are posted at Homebrewed Christianity). We are called to practice resurrection, to chose that which is life-giving in the face of the death-dealing violence. Sex as a spiritual practice — particularly for those of us who have experienced the same acts distorted into dehumanizing violence (which, to differing degrees, I think is probably all of us) — is about being fully alive, fully oneself, bringing all of you are to another to be seen and celebrated. It is choosing life.
I think you are right Brian. This rejection will be blessed by the God of Love and Resurrection. But it still sucks. Thanks for also keeping Steve Sprinkle in your prayers. He is coming to NC, April 9-12, for a book-signing tour of Unfinished Lives which Wipf & Stock charged him $650 for type set, and then overpriced the book. Wine and Cheese at our place at 109 Whispering Pines, Cary, April 9, 7-10 pm. You and yours invited! (You and I met briefly months ago at a party after Big Tent in Raleigh. I am a Hauerwasian, married a Texan, two teenagers, but grew up “downeast” on a tobacco farm. I’m a mainline Disciple sliding slowly toward “off-line.”
I watched the film “Howl” last night, and your experience definitely has strong parallels. I hope your chapter continues to circulate widely.
[...] that Brian mentioned especially his notion of Sacred Sex. You can read his full account on his blog here. I may be pushing Brian’s words here, but to me sacred sex involves some understanding of [...]
are you talking about “sacred sex” in the context of a monagomous stable relationship?
I am talking about sacred sex within the context of loving, consensual, relationships.