Sexual Ethics: A Theological Introduction

by Todd A. Salzman, Michael G. Lawler, Todd A. Salzman (Contribution by), Michael G. Lawler (Contribution by)

Overview

Two principles capture the essence of the Catholic tradition on sexual ethics: that each and every marriage act must remain open to the transmission of life, and that any human genital act must occur within the framework of marriage. In the Catholic tradition, moral sexual activity is institutionalized within the confines of marriage and procreation, and sexual morality is marital morality.

But theologians Todd Salzman and Michael Lawler contend that there is a disconnect between many of the Church’s absolute sexual norms and other theological and intellectual developments explicitly recognized and endorsed in the Catholic tradition, especially since the Second Vatican Council. These developments include the shift from a primary static worldview to a historically conscious worldview, one that recognizes reality as dynamic, evolving, changing, and particular. By employing such a historically conscious worldview, alternative claims about the moral legitimacy of controversial topics such as contraception, artificial reproduction, and homosexual marriage can faithfully emerge within a Catholic context. Convinced of the central role that love, desire, and fertility play in a human life, and also in the life of Christian discipleship, the authors propose an understanding of sexuality that leads to the enhancement of human sexual relationships and flourishing.

This comprehensive introduction to Catholic sexual ethics—complete with thought-provoking study questions at the end of each chapter—will be sure to stimulate dialogue about sexual morality between Catholic laity, theologians, and the hierarchy. Anyone seeking a credible and informed Catholic sexual ethic will welcome this potentially revolutionary book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781589019416
Publisher:	Georgetown University Press
Publication date:	05/18/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Todd A. Salzman is a professor of Catholic theology at Creighton University. He is the author of several books, and is coeditor of Marriage in the Catholic Tradition.

Michael G. Lawler is Amelia and Emil Graff Professor Emeritus of Catholic Theology at Creighton University. He is the author of several books, including Marriage and the Catholic Church: Disputed Questions. Together they are the authors of the award-winning The Sexual Person: Toward a Renewed Catholic Anthropology.

Table of Contents

Prologue“Nature” DefinedPerspectivism vs. Relativism“Nature,” Knowledge, and NormsConscienceQuestions for ReflectionNotes

1. Sexual Morality in the Catholic TraditionHistoricitySexuality and Sexual Ethics in Ancient Greece and RomeSexuality and Sexual Ethics in the Catholic TraditionReading Sacred ScriptureOld Testament TeachingNew Testament TeachingThe Fathers of the ChurchAugustineThe PenitentialsScholastic DoctrineThe Modern PeriodVon Hildebrand and DomsSecond Vatican CouncilPapal Birth Control CommissionConclusionQuestions for ReflectionNotes

2. Unitive Sexual MoralityConjugal Love and Sexual IntercourseMultiple Dimensions of Human SexualityChastityTruly Human and ComplementaritySexual Orientation Complementarity and Truly Human Sexual Acts: A Reconstructed ComplementarityHolistic Complementarity, Truly Human Sexual Acts, and Sexual NormsConclusionQuestions for ReflectionNotes

3. Marital MoralityModern Catholic thought and Marital MoralityMarital Morality and ContraceptionContraception and Historical ContextsA Renewed Principle of Human Sexuality and ContraceptionTotality and the Conjugal ActThe Inseparability Principle RevisitedConclusionQuestions for ReflectionNotes

4. Cohabitation and the Process of MarryingCohabitation in the Contemporary West: What the Sciences Tell UsThe Meaning and Nature of CommitmentBetrothal and the Christian TraditionHistorical ConsiderationsSociotheological Considerations Complementarity and Nuptial CohabitationMarriage as SacramentCatechumenate for MarriageConclusionQuestions for ReflectionNotes

5. HomosexualityThe Bible and HomosexualityHomosexual Orientation and the BibleInterpreting the Bible on HomosexualityMagisterial Teaching on Homosexual Acts and RelationshipsThe Moral Sense of the Christian People and Homosexual ActsThe Morality of Homosexual Acts ReconsideredConclusionQuestions for ReflectionNotes

6. Artificial Reproductive TechnologiesDefining Artificial Reproductive TechnologiesThe CDF’s Instruction and ARTsARTs and Health Complications among ChildrenFamily and Society: ARTs and the Common GoodConclusionQuestions for ReflectionNotes

EpilogueIntrachurch DialogueExtrachurch DialogueQuestions for ReflectionNotes

Index

What People are Saying About This

Aline Kalbian

Lawler and Salzman's mastery of the long and complex history of Catholic sexual ethics is truly impressive. In this volume, the authors manage to present this history, as well as its contemporary implications, in a clear and accessible manner. They challenge Catholics to think seriously about how experience and culture inevitably shape attitudes about sex. Anyone who doubts the vibrancy of the contemporary Catholic conversations about sex should read this book!

From the Publisher

"Lawler and Salzman's mastery of the long and complex history of Catholic sexual ethics is truly impressive. In this volume, the authors manage to present this history, as well as its contemporary implications, in a clear and accessible manner. They challenge Catholics to think seriously about how experience and culture inevitably shape attitudes about sex. Anyone who doubts the vibrancy of the contemporary Catholic conversations about sex should read this book!"—Aline Kalbian, associate professor of religion, Florida State University

Editorial Reviews

The book includes questions to the reader at the end of each chapter and these work well as they challenge the reader to engage both at a theological and personal level. The book is written very clearly and in accessible language making it of use to undergraduates and Church groups examining these issues. Its unpacking of doctrine and ethics is sensitively done but as mentioned the authors are not slow to demonstrate where rethinking urgently needs to take place. They clearly sit within the tradition but a tradition that they see as dynamic and changing.

The Expository Times

This book is productively controversial. . . . Salzman and Lawler have revived the call to dialogue by writing this text.

Horizons

Will help further dialogue within Catholic circles.

Catholic Books Review

Salzman and Lawler masterfully critique Catholic teaching in light of the many sexual issues Christianity faces today This fascinating introduction to sexual ethics is sure to generate much conversation and debate. It is a must for any course on religion and sexuality.

Choice

Salzman and Lawler do good Catholic theology, showing how current magisterial teachings may not be faithful or in accord with Catholic theological understandings or traditions. This book is highly recommended for libraries and classroom use.

Aaron Klink

Salzman and Lawler do good Catholic theology, showing how current magisterial teachings may not be faithful or in accord with Catholic theological understandings or traditions. This book is highly recommended for libraries and classroom use.

Salzman and Lawler masterfully critique Catholic teaching in light of the many sexual issues Christianity faces today... This fascinating introduction to sexual ethics is sure to generate much conversation and debate. It is a must for any course on religion and sexuality.

The book includes questions to the reader at the end of each chapter and these work well as they challenge the reader to engage both at a theological and personal level. The book is written very clearly and in accessible language making it of use to undergraduates and Church groups examining these issues. Its unpacking of doctrine and ethics is sensitively done but as mentioned the authors are not slow to demonstrate where rethinking urgently needs to take place. They clearly sit within the tradition but a tradition that they see as dynamic and changing.

This book is productively controversial. . . . Salzman and Lawler have revived the call to dialogue by writing this text.

Will help further dialogue within Catholic circles.

From the Publisher

Lawler and Salzman's mastery of the long and complex history of Catholic sexual ethics is truly impressive. In this volume, the authors manage to present this history, as well as its contemporary implications, in a clear and accessible manner. They challenge Catholics to think seriously about how experience and culture inevitably shape attitudes about sex. Anyone who doubts the vibrancy of the contemporary Catholic conversations about sex should read this book!

Aline Kalbian