Oh my word!! I hadn't seen that excerpt where he compares the actual crucifixion to coitus ... complete with the very unfortunate word choice, "mount". I'm just utterly speechless that people thought reading MORE of this book would change people's opinion on it!
This may be the same section, but I remember the original excerpt included a word play on the metaphorical priest's passion & Christ's passion & the marital bed's passion. It was really troubling.
thank you for doing this! I have been wanting to know more about the book but I really don't want to support it, nor do I have the time/energy to read it.
Thank you for your sacrifice. A generous, even hospitable review.
The more I learn about “Beautiful Union”, the less likely I am to subject myself to additional nuance from its pages.
I think this is the kind of travesty that happens when an author is applauded and platformed before they’ve had a chance to gain wisdom and maturity. I wish the best for Josh Butler. Perhaps the best thing for him is that the book fades quickly into insignificance.
Thank you. I will read every word of your review for as long as it takes.
Reading this, I'm reminded that the working title for the book in the publishing deal news was "Sex Idol," which seems like it would have perhaps been a more apt title.
Thanks Laura for embarking on this torrid project. I could not do it myself -- I get severely triggered by JB’s flights of fancy.
When I read the quote about the Cross being a marriage bed which Jesus “mounts”, I almost had to stop reading. Words fail me! Never have I heard anything like it before.
What’s more, likening the Cross (torture) to the marriage bed is all too similar to the sexual torture suffered victims of sexual abuse. I know. Viscerally. I’m a survivor of terrifying sexual abuse.
Furthermore, drawing an analogy between the Cross and the marriage bed plays right into the agenda of abusive husbands. The primary goal the abusive man who seeks a long term female partner is to get his sexual needs met without having to negotiate.
These men love all messages that tell women to submit. In the church, those messages are given in the way ‘wives submit to your husbands’ is taught and applied. So the church is a happy hunting ground and playground for domestic abusers.
An additional layer that I find very difficult to reconcile is Butler's work at his previous church (before Tempe). Apparently he led initiatives around human trafficking in the community. Presumably that meant working with survivors of sexual exploitation and slavery. For Butler to still, even now, think there are no major issues with his theology is deeply disturbing.
Thank you for this thorough, insightful review, & for falling on this particular grenade for the benefit of us all. I will be reading every word. While even the first installment is disturbing, I know it will be far more palatable than the book.
Oh my word!! I hadn't seen that excerpt where he compares the actual crucifixion to coitus ... complete with the very unfortunate word choice, "mount". I'm just utterly speechless that people thought reading MORE of this book would change people's opinion on it!
This may be the same section, but I remember the original excerpt included a word play on the metaphorical priest's passion & Christ's passion & the marital bed's passion. It was really troubling.
The book's focus in Chapter 1 on *honeymoon* sex (and the suite in Cabo) somehow made this even worse.
Thanks for doing the work Laura
thank you for doing this! I have been wanting to know more about the book but I really don't want to support it, nor do I have the time/energy to read it.
Thank you for your sacrifice. A generous, even hospitable review.
The more I learn about “Beautiful Union”, the less likely I am to subject myself to additional nuance from its pages.
I think this is the kind of travesty that happens when an author is applauded and platformed before they’ve had a chance to gain wisdom and maturity. I wish the best for Josh Butler. Perhaps the best thing for him is that the book fades quickly into insignificance.
Thank you. I will read every word of your review for as long as it takes.
Reading this, I'm reminded that the working title for the book in the publishing deal news was "Sex Idol," which seems like it would have perhaps been a more apt title.
"Sex icon" was the working title. But you're absolutely right that "Sex idol" is more appropriate.
Oh my goodness you are so right. Thank you for the correction. I have reinvented that in my own imagination.
I think "Semen idol" could've been a good working title too.
(Ugh I cannot believe I thought that, let alone typed that.)
“christens semen with enthronement”
-- a line from the poem I’m composing.
Thanks Laura for embarking on this torrid project. I could not do it myself -- I get severely triggered by JB’s flights of fancy.
When I read the quote about the Cross being a marriage bed which Jesus “mounts”, I almost had to stop reading. Words fail me! Never have I heard anything like it before.
Likening the Cross to the marriage bed is sickening. Crucifixion was and is torture. Violent, brutal, grotesque, humiliating, painful torture.
What’s more, likening the Cross (torture) to the marriage bed is all too similar to the sexual torture suffered victims of sexual abuse. I know. Viscerally. I’m a survivor of terrifying sexual abuse.
Furthermore, drawing an analogy between the Cross and the marriage bed plays right into the agenda of abusive husbands. The primary goal the abusive man who seeks a long term female partner is to get his sexual needs met without having to negotiate.
These men love all messages that tell women to submit. In the church, those messages are given in the way ‘wives submit to your husbands’ is taught and applied. So the church is a happy hunting ground and playground for domestic abusers.
I'm so, so sorry. This is all truly horrific.
An additional layer that I find very difficult to reconcile is Butler's work at his previous church (before Tempe). Apparently he led initiatives around human trafficking in the community. Presumably that meant working with survivors of sexual exploitation and slavery. For Butler to still, even now, think there are no major issues with his theology is deeply disturbing.
Hi Emma, I’m interested in what you said here.
How can I confirm that in Butler’s previous church he led initiatives against human trafficking?
What is the name and location of his previous church?
The old bio is still online: https://www.centerforfaith.com/about/leadership/joshua-ryan-butler
It’s saved the Internet archive too.
Thanks Emma! Bless you!
“Turbid” would have been a more suitable word than “torrid”.
Yes! It’s not the most egregious problem with the writing, but the ”pro tips” and cliches like Cabo alongside everything else adds a little extra…
Thank you for this thorough, insightful review, & for falling on this particular grenade for the benefit of us all. I will be reading every word. While even the first installment is disturbing, I know it will be far more palatable than the book.
This is very thoughtful; I look forward to reading more. Thank you.