Is flirting wrong?

Is seduction ever okay?

How should "hook ups" be handled?

Can Christians support civil unions for homosexuals?

To ethically engage such questions requires an awareness of one's sexual lenses, according to philosopher and ethicist Caroline J. Simon. Much like an optometrist uses several lenses to assess a person's vision during an eye exam, Simon offers six lenses that can be used to evaluate sexuality and determine appropriate sexual behavior: covenantal, procreative, romantic, plain sex, power and expressive.

Simon provides answers to questions like:

• What are the benefits of being more honest about the lenses through which we view sexuality?
• What are the characteristics of each “lens” or view?
• How do the different lenses lead to a fuller picture of sexuality?
• Is any lens better than the others?
• What are biblically appropriate boundaries for sex?
• When evaluating different sexual behavior, what is important to keep in mind?

Check out Carol Simon’s blog at Psychology Today.

See the sidebar to request a review copy or schedule an interview with Caroline Simon.