Review: Making All Things New
In Making All Things New: Restoring Joy to the Sexually Broken, David Powlison speaks to the issue of sexual brokenness with the wisdom and skill of an experienced counselor. Powlison intentionally addresses both those who have sinned sexually and those who have been sinned against sexually, making the point that many books addressing sexual sin ignore external factors, while many books addressing sexual abuse ignore the topic of sanctification. Powlison wisely argues that both issues are deeply relevant to both groups. This is an excellent book that should prove beneficial to any reader.
Quotables
Love makes sexuality like a laser beam: its power under control, its intensity focused, nothing wasted or promiscuously scattered. (12)
It is a decided mark of wisdom that our sins come to afflict us, not delight us. The experience of our own sin changes, so it becomes more like self-inflicted suffering. (21)
All three [the world, the flesh, and the Devil] work in concert, creating a fog of war, concealing their operations, enslaving willing participants. (34)
It takes a lot of practice, propaganda, social reinforcement, persistence, and denial to sear the conscience. (35)
Our culture asserts that any consenting object of desire is fair game for copulation. Individual will and personal choice are the supreme values. But Christ thinks differently, and he will get last say. (39)
[In Psalm 25:6-7] David's own conscience remembers only too well what he did. But he appeals to what God will choose to remember. (46)
One key to fighting well is to lengthen your view of the battle. If you think that one week of "shock and awe" combat will win this war of redemption, you're bound to be disappointed. (59)
Consider a metaphor for this [battle against sexual temptations]. Many computer and video games send you out on a quest, a sort of pilgrim's progress. .. Level 1 starts you out with easier challenges. The tasks are clear cut. The enemies are slower, more limited in their abilities, more obvious in their approach... If you ever arrive at, say, level 32, it's because you've died often, but you've learned something each time, and you've kept coming back. You've come a distance in the right direction. (92)
No one ever came under church discipline or was sued for divorce by driving on the interstate and looking twice at a billboard. But that's where the ambush occurs. (98)
A familial principle sets the norm. In general we are to view and treat all people as if they were beloved sisters or brothers, mothers or fathers, daughters or sons, grandmothers or grandfathers. The line is clear. Anything that sexualizes a familial relationship is wrong. (108)Purchase the book →
