God’s Good Design: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Guide to Human Sexuality

Imagine the scene: a young man and woman spot each other at a ballroom dance. They want to dance, but it's 2024, a world where binaries no longer exist. What does the man do? Should he initiate? That's so 2019. Does she take the lead? Maybe, but that could be too assertive. They stand there, awkwardly smiling, neither making a move. Finally, they simultaneously blurt out, "Do you want to dance?" They laugh, nervously, and agree to try. But as they step onto the dance floor, a new challenge arises: who leads? They decide to alternate. He starts, stepping confidently forward, only to find her doing the same. They bump into each other and try again, this time she leads. But now, he's following her lead while trying to lead, resulting in a tangled mess of feet and frustrated glances. Chaos ensues as they fumble across the floor. In the end, they give up, breathless and bewildered, each retreating to opposite sides of the room, but left unsatisfied. 

Now imagine the scene above, but in every institution in modern society. 

This is what Michael Clary seeks to address in God’s Good Design: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Guide to Human Sexuality. In his book, Clary shows how Christian men and women can stay true to their faith in a world of confusion. Much more is at stake than a dance. Families, businesses, truth, reality, etc. In a time when God’s design for sexuality is being ignored and maligned, Clary brings clarity to what it means to be a man and a woman. “God’s Good Design” offers a biblical, theological, historical, and practical guide in a way that will cause even those who disagree with him to think more thoughtfully. The result is what I believe to be one of the most important books written in the last few years. 

Clary begins his book with a strategic exploration of the historical trajectory that led to the current cultural disregard for nature and the fluid perception of gender identity. How did society reach a point where gender is seen as a choice, akin to selecting a flavor of ice cream? Commentators offer varying explanations. Some attribute it to the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, while others trace it back further to the rise of feminism. Clary acknowledges both perspectives as partially correct but delves deeper, identifying the roots of this cultural shift in the ancient heresy of Gnosticism.

Why Gnosticism? Clary explains:

“The Gnostics believed in a strict separation of body and spirit… For the Gnostics, your ‘true self’ was spiritual. However, the true self was trapped in a fallen, evil, physical body… Thus, salvation occurred at the end of one’s life when the individual finally escaped the material world…” (p. 8).

This philosophy, Clary argues, resonates with modern phenomena like transgenderism and gender dysphoria, which reflect varying degrees of Gnostic thought. As the author notes, “There is nothing new under the sun,” a sentiment echoed by Solomon. Clary even highlights feminism as an example of this same Gnostic tendency:

“Feminism is a form of sexual Gnosticism that practically eliminates the categories of male and female, instead fashioning us into generic persons...” (p. 15).

Clary’s historical analysis reveals a progression of ideas and events that brought us to this point:
Gnosticism → Feminism → Androgyny → Contraceptives → The Obergefell Decision → Transgenderism.

According to Clary, the widespread adoption of androgynous lifestyles, combined with the normalization of casual, “consequence-free” sex, fundamentally altered the institution of marriage. By severing marriage from its procreative purpose, it transformed from a covenant rooted in natural law to a contractual arrangement devoid of deeper meaning. In this view, marriage has lost its essence and significance in modern society.

Michael Clary’s book is a thorough examination of androgynous ideas pervasive in today’s society, with a particular focus on the household, which he identifies as the foundational building block of civilization (81). Clary begins by exploring the biblical design for the home, emphasizing that Adam and Eve were created for rulership and that the household is central to God’s plan for humanity. Through the lens of Scripture, he demonstrates how a rightly ordered household fulfills God’s mandate for dominion, highlighting the importance of bearing children and embracing the distinct responsibilities given to men and women.

Clary avoids trivial debates about household chores, such as “who does the dishes?” Instead, he presents a theological framework grounded in creation. One of the most insightful sections of the book delves into how God’s design for men and women informs their unique responsibilities. Drawing on 1 Corinthians 11:11-12, Clary writes:

“Adam was formed from the dust. Eve was built from Adam’s rib. Man was designed from the ground and for the ground. Woman was designed by the man and for the man.” (p. 88).

This foundational understanding leads to practical insights. Clary refrains from reducing masculinity and femininity to rigid roles, noting that such an approach offers “a limited view of God’s design for masculinity and femininity” (96). Instead, he underscores how the created order shapes life within the home and extends to society. For example, Clary explains that men are called to focus outwardly, engaging with the world, while women have an inward focus, cultivating the home as a place of refuge, love, and hospitality:

“The man subdued the earth, the woman domesticated it, creating a place of refuge, community, love, and hospitality.” (p. 91).

This balanced framing of the household is both refreshing and practical, offering a clear picture of how God’s design fosters harmony in the home.

What sets Clary apart from other authors in the evangelical world is his willingness to apply these principles to broader societal issues. He argues that androgyny, far from being a virtue, has seeped into even Christian discussions of life outside the home, undermining the distinctiveness of men and women. For example, he highlights that men, who tend to be more aggressive, and women, who are generally more nurturing, are designed to bring complementary strengths to society. When these qualities are applied out of context, chaos ensues. Clary illustrates these points with practical examples that many other books on this topic lack, making his work particularly engaging and actionable.

Clary also addresses other critical issues, such as the abuse of male headship, the undervaluing of childbearing in modern evangelical circles, and sexual immorality. His advice to singles and insights into broader cultural trends add depth to the book, ensuring its relevance to readers in various life stages.

Ultimately, Clary’s book is a compelling and biblically sound guide to understanding the significance of a well-ordered home and the dangers of today’s androgynous cultural norms. It is a book worth reading and sharing widely. Personally, I have revisited it multiple times and used its principles in Sunday School lessons. Whether you are single, married, or part of a church community, this book offers valuable insights. While it may challenge some modern evangelical assumptions—particularly within remnants of the Young, Restless, and Reformed movement and other more progressive circles—it does so for good reason. By offering a precise, biblically grounded roadmap for the Christian household, Clary points the way out of the chaotic, androgynous hellscape we live in today, and into a life of godly, natural order.