What happens when your love for Jesus and your love for your own body collide? In this episode of Sacred Not Sinful, Kevin talks with John Carl Lewis about his journey from evangelical purity culture, through reparative therapy, celibacy, the leather community, and into a rich integration of the erotic and the spiritual. Honest, provocative, and deeply hopeful—this conversation will inspire you to believe faith and sexuality can thrive together.
Sacred Not Sinful Podcast – Episode 2 with John Carl Lewis
Can faith and sexuality coexist without shame? In this deeply personal and insightful conversation, Bible scholar & sex educator Dr. Kevin Jenson talks with John Carl Lewis about his lifelong journey integrating the erotic and the spiritual.
John Carl shares:
- Growing up evangelical and navigating purity culture
- First love and the pain of reparative therapy
- Choosing celibacy and finding community in the leather subculture
- How erotic energy connects us to God
- Theological resources for erotic spirituality
- Honest talk on porn, polyamory, and sexual ethics
- Advice to those struggling to reconcile faith and sexuality
Whether you’re curious about queer theology, erotic spirituality, or healing from religious sexual shame, this episode offers hope, wisdom, and practical insight.
📌 Resources & Links from this episode:
Connect with Jon Carl: Subscribe to his Substack, schedule a chat, and download his guides.
1946themovie.com – Learn about the mistranslation of “homosexual” in the Bible.
📩 Connect with Kevin: discover.courageousintimacy.org
Keywords: faith and sexuality, queer theology, erotic spirituality, sexual ethics, LGBTQ Christians, healing purity culture, leather community, Bible and sexuality, Sacred Not Sinful podcast
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