Discussing God's view of human sexuality and marital intimacy can be like driving somewhere wonderful along a highway bracketed by two steep and dangerous ditches. One ditch is characterized by flippancy, irreverence, and crassness. With this error, sex is trivialized and all its sacred beauty is stripped away. The second ditch, however, is just as dangerous and is characterized by silence, awkwardness, and joylessness. On this side of the road, sex is cloaked in shame and the good gift is hidden from view. Both ditches are erroneous, idolatrous, and unnecessary.

So, how do we keep the car on the road when exploring this super-important, always-relevant, and constantly-pressing issue? Thankfully, we've recruited an able guide to help us steer.

Dr. Mark McGinnis is the professor of Old Testament literature, language, and exegesis at Baptist Bible Seminary in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. He spent twenty-seven years in full-time pastoral ministry, serving the same church in which he first trusted Christ. He has experience as a youth pastor, senior pastor, and Christian school principal. In addition to publishing many journal articles, Dr. McGinniss has written and contributed to books exploring the theology the Song of Songs and on the theology of the story of Scripture as a whole.