Sex, Tech, and Faith: Ethics for a Digital Age

SEX, TECH, AND FAITH: Ethics for a Digital Age by Kate Ott. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2022. 207 pages. Paperback; $22.99. ISBN: 9780802878465. *I have to admit that I approached the task of reviewing Kate Ott's latest book Sex, Tech, and Faith: Ethics for a Digital Age with a certain amount of trepidation. As an engineer by training and a faculty member at a Christian university by experience, I have some confidence in my ability to evaluate technology developments from a Christian perspective. However, I can claim very little expertise in the scientific analysis or ethical evaluation of human sexual behavior (beyond my own personal experience of being married for almost 35 years). As the product of a traditional Christian upbringing in which sex was rarely discussed openly, I admit a certain amount of squeamishness (although I hope not prudishness) in addressing the subject in the public sphere. The controversies in the church surrounding issues of human sexuality add additional complexity to this topic. *Ultimately, the courage to overcome these concerns stems from agreement with the author about the value of bringing these topics out into the open, as well as from the author's candid invitation to open dialogue. Ott's book-cover promise of "a values-based, shame-free, pleasure-positive discussion of Christian sexual ethics in response to a range of pressing issues in the digital age" is compelling. I suspect some Christians might be unaware of what's out there in the digital realm that could nourish or pervert our sexual desires. On the other hand, it's clear from the research presented in this book that many readers might be engaging with some of the digital topics and technologies uncritically, and in ways that are antithetical to Christian commitments. *The introduction sets the stage by noting the need for better understanding in two areas which might in the past have been viewed as non-overlapping: sexuality and digital literacy. Ott is aiming for a more nuanced understanding and integration of both. The approach to sexual ethics promoted in the book recognizes that, although Christians have traditionally focused their attention on sexual behaviors, relationships and values should also be centered as inputs in sexual decision making. Ott presents a list of values that attempt to capture the holistic aspects of human sexuality and provide guidance toward sexual flourishing (as opposed to focusing on boundaries). The goal to live out the call to lo