{{Short description|American sexologist, author and marriage expert}}
'''Joe Beam''' is an American sexologist, marriage and relationship expert and best-selling author.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 January 2014 |title=Best Books For Finding Love This Valentine's Day |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/best-books-for-finding-love-this-valentines-day/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923130755/https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/best-books-for-finding-love-this-valentines-day/ |archive-date=23 September 2024 |access-date=23 September 2024 |work=CBS News Detroit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Domingo |first=Katrina |date=23 June 2021 |title=Fairytale or pilit-tale? Experts spill why men rush into marriage after long-term relationships |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/life/06/23/21/fairytale-or-pilit-tale-experts-spill-why-men-rush-to-marriage-after-long-term-relationships |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531234423/https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/06/23/21/fairytale-or-pilit-tale-experts-spill-why-men-rush-to-marriage-after-long-term-relationships |archive-date=31 May 2023 |access-date=23 September 2024 |work=ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs}}</ref> Beam started his career as an ordained minister, but then moved on to found and run several organizations related to helping married couples, and is also known as an inspirational speaker.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=5 February 2007 |title=Church-Goers Receive Sex Advice From Minister |url=http://www.wsmv.com/news/10937860/detail.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524044339/http://www.wsmv.com/news/10937860/detail.html |archive-date=24 May 2011 |access-date=24 May 2011 |work=WSMV-TV}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Alexander |first=Brian |date=26 February 2009 |title=Best of Sexploration: Where are they now? |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna29395591 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923233536/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna29395591 |archive-date=23 September 2024 |access-date=23 September 2024 |work=NBC News}}</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /> He has appeared on television and radio programs including The Today Show, Good Morning America, Focus on the Family, The Montel Williams Show, and The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 September 2006 |title=Want a preacher's advice about your sex life? |url=https://www.today.com/news/want-preachers-advice-about-your-sex-life-wbna14840127 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924002841/https://www.today.com/news/want-preachers-advice-about-your-sex-life-wbna14840127 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |access-date=23 September 2024 |website=Today (American TV program)}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Furlong |first=Madelyn |date=29 November 2021 |title=Famous Christian author Joe Beam honored by alma mater |url=https://www.faulkner.edu/news/famous-christian-author-joe-beam-honored-by-alma-mater/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924004040/https://www.faulkner.edu/news/famous-christian-author-joe-beam-honored-by-alma-mater/ |archive-date=24 September 2024 |access-date=23 September 2024 |work=Faulkner University}}</ref> and been featured in magazines such as People and Better Homes and Gardens.<ref name=":3" />
== Career ==
Beam earned his bachelor's degree (''magna cum laude'') from Southern Christian University, did graduate studies in clinical psychology at the University of Evansville, then later earned a PhD in health science at the University of Sydney with an emphasis on sexual satisfaction.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Burylo |first=Rebecca |date=21 February 2022 |title=Alumnus of the Year: Joe Beam, walking in the light |url=https://www.faulkner.edu/news/alumni/alumnus-of-the-year-joe-beam-walking-in-the-light/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924004829/https://www.faulkner.edu/news/alumni/alumnus-of-the-year-joe-beam-walking-in-the-light/ |archive-date=24 September 2024 |access-date=23 September 2024 |work=Faulkner University}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=About Dr. Joe Beam |url=https://joebeam.com/about-joe/ |website=JoeBeam.com}}</ref>
In the 1970s, he started his career as a church minister.<ref name=":3" /> After a tumultuous divorce and remarriage, he then founded Family Dynamics Institute in 1994 with a mission to save marriages and train couples on love, marriage and sex.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":1" /> He has also wanted to help conservative Christians enjoy their personal sex lives without feeling guilt for religious reasons.<ref name=":0" /> He believes that sex is important to marriages, and espouses scriptural interpretations which allow for more liberal attitudes towards things like certain sex acts which are seen as forbidden by others.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Alexander |first=Brian |date=13 September 2006 |title=One preacher's message: Have hotter sex |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna13834042 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416083247/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna13834042 |archive-date=16 April 2024 |access-date=23 September 2024 |work=NBC News}}</ref> Beam has given seminars to give Christians a more advanced sex education in terms of what the Bible allows, as well as an opportunity to discuss taboo topics they would normally be ashamed of.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Purdy |first=Joy |date=20 November 2006 |title=The Sex Preacher |url=http://cbs4.com/seenon/local_story_324170725.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927192949/http://cbs4.com/seenon/local_story_324170725.html |archive-date=27 September 2007 |access-date=27 September 2007 |work=CBS Miami}}</ref> He ran Family Dynamics until parting ways with them over disagreements with other leaders over some of his attitudes towards sex and sexuality.<ref name=":0" />
Afterwards, he founded the organizations Love Path International in 2008 and then Marriage Helper in 2012.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Beam |first=Joe |date=2012 |title=How Do I Know If I'm in Love? |url=https://issuu.com/vcmag/docs/vcm_january_2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924001544/https://issuu.com/vcmag/docs/vcm_january_2012 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |access-date=23 September 2024 |magazine=Valley Christian Magazine |pages=20-21}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> He and his team at Marriage Helper have helped tens of thousands of couples with their courses, coaching and workshops.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Beam |first=Joe |date=6 March 2015 |title=How Wives Can Unlock the Door to Verbal Intimacy |url=https://www.christianity.com/christian-life/marriage-and-family/how-wives-can-unlock-the-door-to-verbal-intimacy-11566188.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923235916/https://www.christianity.com/christian-life/marriage-and-family/how-wives-can-unlock-the-door-to-verbal-intimacy-11566188.html |archive-date=23 September 2024 |access-date=23 September 2024 |work=Christianity.com}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> Marriage Helper is now run by his daughter and CEO, Kimberly Beam Holmes.<ref name=":3" />
== Select bibliography ==
* 1998 ''Seeing the Unseen: A Handbook for Spiritual Warfare'' ({{ISBN|1878990276}}) * 1998 ''Forgiven Forever: The Full Force of God's Tender Mercy'' ({{ISBN|1878990667}}) * 1999 ''Becoming One: Emotionally, Spiritually and Sexually'' ({{ISBN|1-58229-362-7}}) * 1999 ''Families: Seven Steps to Building a Strong Family'' ({{ISBN|1-58229-080-6}}) * 2002 ''Seeing the Unseen: Preparing Yourself for Spiritual Warfare'' (Expanded) ({{ISBN|1-58229-273-6}}) * 2003 ''Getting Past Guilt: Embracing God's Forgiveness'' ({{ISBN|1-58229-294-9}}) * 2006 ''The Real Heaven: It's Not What You Think'' ({{ISBN|1-89243-553-5}}) * 2009 ''Your Love Path'' ({{ISBN|0615251676}}) * 2010 ''The True Heaven: Not What You Thought, Better Than You Expected'' ({{ISBN|0891126430}}) * 2012 ''The Art of Falling in Love'' ({{ISBN|978-1451649338}})
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links == * [https://www.joebeam.com Joe Beam Official Website] * [http://www.marriagehelper.com Marriage Helper Website]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Beam, Joe}} Category:American Christian writers Category:Living people Category:University of Evansville alumni Category:University of Sydney alumni Category:Year of birth missing (living people)