In this easy to read 180 page volume, Judge looks at the development of Catholic teachings about sex and contrasts them to the teachings of various heretics such as Gnostics, Cathars, Bogomils and Albigensians. He points out that unlike some heretics who saw sexual relations as sinful, the Church has always taught that they were good, if properly ordered toward the procreation of children, fidelity between husband and wife and an indissoluble unity. Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body brought forth a new image of sexual relations imaging the unity in the Trinity.
Besides looking at the history of Catholic sexual morality, Judge analyzes how our society, including many in the Church, have gotten away from traditional beliefs. He analyzes the effect of the media and liberals in society and is quite scathing toward the liberal media.
I highly recommend this book as an answer to "Why does the Church teach that? particularly if you are tired of "because the Church says sex has to be open to procreation" as the answer.
Thanks to Staci Carmichael at Random House for providing a review copy. Please check back October 4 to read the first chapter.
Grade: A
This sounds like an interesting book. I admit when I first starting reading your review, I thought nope, won't read this book. But, after reading your review, I'm convinced it would be a good read.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds very useful. It can be, shall we say, difficult, at times to try to explain the Church's teachings in this area(which are beautiful when properly understood) . I may have a look for this. Thanks!
ReplyDelete