http://www.catholiccompany.com/catholic-books/1004028/What-Church-Teaches-About-Sex-Gods-Plan-Happiness
What the Church Teaches About Sex, God's Plan For Happiness by Robert L. Fastiggi is an every man's/every woman's book about the nature of sex through the lens of Catholic teaching. Let me tell you, the Catholic lens is quite forgiving, understanding, informative, and charitable. Catholic teaching is good moral teaching in a world gone wild. The author gives background on the historical teachings of sexuality and even touches on the story of St. Augustine's struggles with sexuality. What I like about his book is that A) it's clear and precise WHY certain sexual situations are sinful, and, B) that the Church is reasonable and compassionate in its response and treatment of the sin involved. God's generosity cannot be outdone in assisting us in difficult, weak moments. Even if you do not personally have a "problem", you can learn about today's largest problems with sex (pornography, masturbation, homosexuality, fornication and cohabitation, and, marital chastity) to help a friend, a sibling, a parent, or in fact, your own children (age appropriateness considered). We all recognize the media as a culprit in introducing and indoctrinating society into believing that self-gratification at any cost is acceptable, and, the school curriculum are not any help either. We are constantly bombarded with sexual images and sound at every turn. It is difficult in this world to live a pure and chaste life, but it is not impossible.
The last chapter is one of my favourite, because it touches on the different states of life and how one can live out that state in sexual purity. I also appreciate that throughout the book, the author points out to the reader that the Church is compassionate in that She understands that temptations exist, and, She offers healing through Confession and Reconciliation.
Published by Our Sunday Visitor, I recommend this book for those interested in social study, as well as those who would rather have a private study on just exactly why the Church thinks She knows it all and find out that really, She does! And, She has an answer for those who are desiring full relationship with God.
You can purchase this book at Catholic Company. Click "Catholic Company" to the left here or click on the side bar link (picture). They are having a great sale at the moment. Check them out!
5 comments:
You might be interested in this:
http://firstthings.com/article.php3?
id_article=6262
Paul VI was a truly a prophet!
Thanks, Angela M. I love First Things, too, so it should be insightful!!
What do you think about Christopher West's Theology of the Body...is all this very similar..probably??
Suz - I haven't read CW's books. I want to! And, I keep being promised DVD's or CD's of his talks to save me the money, but now I can't remember how said they'd loan them to me and it's too late now that we're moving. I'll not have time. So, I may buy his book. I think his book is THICKER by far and sticks to making JP2's work more lay-term and understandable. I think in that way they are very different. The core teaching is not, however. I would have to read CW's to be sure.
I enjoyed this particular book precisely because it went straight from problem to solution and reminding us that we can't possibly go it alone - we need God to help us in our weaknesses, too.
Hey, sorry so long since I've commented and read. I've been trying to stay away from the computer through lent and it kinda stuck.
I am glad you posted this because I am debating writing a blog about what is "allowed" in the Catholic Marriage Bed. I might have to check out this book first to add to my resources.
Thanks & God Bless!
PS - love the skateboarding pic!
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