Sexual Ethics: A Theological Introduction

by Todd A. Salzman, Michael G. Lawler

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:	9781589019133
Publisher:	Georgetown University Press
Publication date:	05/18/2012
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)
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

Abbreviations for Sources xi

Prologue xiii

"Nature" Defined xx

Perspectivism versus Relativism xxi

"Nature," knowledge, and Norms xxiii

Conscience xxv

Questions for Reflection xxvi

Notes xxvii

Chapter I Sexual Morality in the Catholic Tradition 1

Historicity 1

Sexuality and Sexual Ethics in Ancient Greece and Rome 5

Sexuality and Sexual Ethics in the Catholic Tradition 7

Reading Sacred Scripture 7

Old Testament Teaching 11

New Testament Teaching 15

The Fathers of the Church 19

Augustine 22

The Penitentials 25

Scholastic Doctrine 27

The Modern Period 28

Von Hildebrand and Doms 30

Second Vatican Council 32

Papal Birth Control Commission 35

Conclusion 37

Questions for Reflections 39

Notes 40

Chapter 2 Unitive Sexual Morality 47

Conjugal Love and Sexual Intercourse 49

Multiple Dimensions of Human Sexuality 50

Chastity 60

Truly Human and Complementarity 62

Sexual Orientation Complementarity and Truly Human Sexual Acts: A Reconstructed Complementarity 72

Holistic Complementarity, Truly Human Sexual Acts, and Sexual Norms 81

Conclusion 86

Questions for Reflection 87

Notes 88

Chapter 3 Martial Morality 95

Modern Catholic Thought and Marital Morality 95

Marital Morality and Contraception 96

Contraception and Historical Contexts 97

A Renewed Principle of Human Sexuality and Contraception 107

Totality and the Conjugal Act 109

The Inseparability Principle Revisited 111

Conclusion 116

Questions for Reflection 117

Notes 118

Chapter 4 Cohabitation and the Process of Marrying 123

Cohabitation in the Contemporary West: What the Sciences Tell us 125

The Meaning and Nature of Commitment 127

Betrothal and the Christian Tradition 129

Historical Considerations 129

Sociotheological Considerations 133

Complementarity and Nuptical Cohabitation 141

Marriage as Sacrament 143

Catechumenate for Marriage 144

Conclusion 145

Questions for Reflection 148

Notes 149

Chapter 5 Homosexuality 155

The Bible and Homosexuality 157

Homosexual Orientation and the Bible 158

Interpreting the Bible on Homosexuality 159

Magisterial Teaching on Homosexual Acts and Relationships 168

The Moral Sense of the Christian People and Homosexual Acts 175

The Morality of Homosexual Acts Reconsidered 178

Conclusion 180

Questions for Reflection 182

Notes 183

Chapter 6 Artificial Reproductive Technologies 191

Defining Artificial Reproductive Technologies 192

The CDF's Instruction and ARTs 194

ARTs and Health Complications among Children 209

Family and Society: ARTs and the Common Good 210

Conclusions 213

Questions for Reflection 214

Notes 215

Epilogue 221

Intrachurch Dialogue 222

Extrachurch Dialogue 226

Questions for Reflection 230

Notes 231

Index 233

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