Dirt, Greed and Sex is one of the most influential studies published in recent times on the subject of sexual ethics. Discussing biblical notions of purity and property, which dominate ethical ideas in the New Testament, the author characterises sex as one of the rich blessings of creation, `to be received with delight and thanksgiving' Countryman's generous and eirenic views on sexual matters, based as they are on solid bilblical research, are a welcome intervention in an area which unfortunately, in Christian circles, still tends to be dominated by conservatism and misinformation rather than principle. L William Countrymari is Professor of New Testament at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley.