Talking Back to Purity Culture

Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality

By: Rachel Joy Welcher, Scott Sauls - foreword

Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman

It's time to talk back.

The generation born into evangelical purity culture has grown up, and many have started families of their own. But as time goes on, it's becoming more evident that many still struggle with purity culture's complicated legacy - its idolization of virginity, its mixed messages about modesty and lust, and its promise of a healthy marriage and great sex for those who follow the rules. In Talking Back to Purity Culture, Rachel Joy Welcher reviews the movement carefully, examining its teachings through the lens of Scripture. Compassionate, faithful, and wise, she charts a path forward for evangelicals in the ongoing debates about sexuality - one that rejects legalism and license alike, steering us back instead to the good news of Jesus. It's time to talk back to purity culture - and this book is ready to jump-start the conversation.

©2020 Rachel Joy Welcher (P)2020 eChristian

life changing

I loved this book! Great teacher on a really really important topic! next to the Bible this was the second most impactful book in my life personally that I read in 2022.

Needed, God honoring resource

I am a youth pastors wife raised on many books referenced in this book, and am so grateful for the humility, boldness, love, Truth, kindness, and redemption that I heard in this author’s words. It has challenged my thoughts and my outlooks, especially since I judged the book by its title and almost didn’t pick it up due to what it could say. So glad I did. May God be glorified as this reaches more minds and hearts!

An honest look at purity culture and Christian sexual ethic

Rachel does an incredible job of tackling a sometimes taboo and potentially awkward topic with grace and humility. She touches on so many issues that are relevant in the conversation around sexuality and encourages the reader to think for themselves and have conversations with others to further digest and respond to the topics discussed. This is a “must read” for people of all ages and religious views!

Promotes a Healthy Christian Sexual Ethic

This book is challenging yet edifying from the very beginning. I so appreciated the nuanced way the author critiques Purity Culture’s teachings that are harmful to Christians without blaming the religion itself or other believers.

If you are looking to honestly examine your own sexual ethic as a Christian or even just a person harmed by unhealthy teachings, this book is for you.

Much needed book

So much packed into this book that many are wrestling with today-purity, gender, marriage, singleness, abuse, pornography, Christ, the church. Honest and open conversations that need to take place. I love the discussion questions at the end of each chapter. I also love how she stays tied to the word. She is not shaming in what she says and how she says it. She is open to critique and says it’s ok to change your mind about something. So much of what I have seen in the church is a doubling down and an unwillingness to listen to another point of view. Such a great book!