Danish pastor raises eyebrows with frank talk about sex

BERLIN (RNS) Birds do it, bees do it and so should devout Christians — daily, even — according to a new book by a Danish pastor that is causing a minor sensation across Europe. The Rev. Poul Joachim Stender, 53, is getting his fair share of media attention after publishing a book entitled “Med Gud […]

BERLIN (RNS) Birds do it, bees do it and so should devout Christians — daily, even — according to a new book by a Danish pastor that is causing a minor sensation across Europe.

The Rev. Poul Joachim Stender, 53, is getting his fair share of media attention after publishing a book entitled “Med Gud i sengen,” which translates as “With God in Bed.” Among other recommendations, the book encourages devout Christians to have sex once a day, and to learn more about the parts of the Bible that focus on sex.

In an interview in the Danish newspaper Randers Amtsavis, Stender says the Bible — starting with the scene in Genesis where God refers to Adam and Eve becoming “one flesh” — encourages active sexuality.


“What is biblical is to have sex,” says the pastor from Saaby parish in Roskilde. “If it is not erotic, I don’t know what is.”

The book has, not surprisingly, been seen as something of a challenge to traditional Danish Christianity, as it also endorses homosexual intercourse and sex outside of marriage.

“Christianity is about love, and that does not just mean spiritual love, but also erotic love. That means Christians should be the best lovers in the world,” he said, quoted in the German Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.

Stender has been at the center of controversy before. In 2005, he raised eyebrows by charging about $120 a head for a Holy Thursday meal prepared by top chefs. He then used the money to pay students about $13 each for attending church services.

But he told Randers Amtsavis he is not worried about any controversy.

“It will pass. In all my years as a pastor, I have been concerned with rehabilitating sensuality in Christians and it is still the most important thing.”

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