Pulling Back the Shades by Dannah Gresh and Dr. Juli Slattery

Have you read Fifty Shades of Grey? Gresh was sure Christian women would not be reading it. She was wrong. Spiritual women do read erotica. Slattery reluctantly decided to read the books, knowing she would coauthor a book about them.

This book was birthed as a result of the impact of the Fifty Shades books. It is a book about longings, questions, and wholeness as spiritual and sexual women. Many Christian women will not talk about their psychological and physical longings. Some have turned to erotica, thinking that will fulfill their needs. The authors reveal the dangers of doing so. It is chasing after a fantasy, a distortion of reality.

Slattery argues that there is a spiritual agenda to the Fifty Shades books. The intended spiritual destination is destruction. The authors explore the spiritual nature and sacredness of sex, the lies in erotica and the long-term effects of reading it, the nature of submission, the source of true sexual pleasure, being spiritually satisfied in Jesus, repentance, and action to take.

The authors have included many stories from women to support their arguments. They also identify reality: “Life is hard; not every longing you have on earth will be fulfilled.” (119)

As the authors note, this book is not ultimately about the Fifty Shades series of books or even erotica. “This book is about the spiritual battle for the hearts and souls of women.” (146) It is not only an encouragement to throw out the junk but also to join in the call for revival among God's women. There is a good section with questions for group discussion so this would make a great choice for a women's group. There is also an appendix with very practical ideas for victory over sexual sin.

Note: potential readers need to know that these authors are very frank in their discussion. They cover sexual practices I've not seen discussed with such openness and clarity before.

This book is serious. It is a serious topic and one that needs to be addressed and talked about by Christian women. If you or a friend are trying to find satisfaction in erotica, I urge you to read this book.

Dannah Gresh is the founder of Pure Freedom and bestselling author of And the Bride Wore White and What Are You Waiting For?. She and her husband live in State College, Pennsylvania and have three children.

Dr. Juli Slattery is a clinical psychologist and coauthor of Passion Pursuit, written with Linda Dillow, her cofounder of Authentic Intimacy. She and her husband have been married for 18 years and have three children. Find out more at www.AuthenticIntimacy.com and www.moodyradio.org/javawithjuli.

Moody Publishers, 176 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Icon Media Group for the purpose of an independent and honest review.