The best Ethics in Christian Theology books: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

>Torn by Justin Lee

Yay my book!

>God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines

Yay my friend's book!

I like these suggestions. ;)

There is a lot of research on this topic. All signs point to a very early tradition of continence linked to the celebration of the Eucharist. Continence is the period of abstaining from sexual intercourse. The research is rather compelling that points to a tradition of, once you were ordained, practicing perfect continence...even in marriage.

From this, celibacy is a very practical and prudent call. Early Church history shows that the precept to remain continent was more prudent for a celibate, not married, clergy.

If you want a good academic work, this work is great:

Apostolic Origins of Priestly Celibacy https://www.amazon.com/dp/0898709512/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_1GT9Cb5YKH05W

What Father (above) said! You are beloved of God and nothing about your temptations and struggles changes His eternal love for you.

Overcoming sin in general and sexual sin in particular requires that we look into the occurrences of sin with the Lord and examine what we're really seeking. When we can identify the human and impulses desires behind the sinful acts, we can turn them to the Lord.

There's a book I'm reading that I'd heartily recommend titled: Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing. I'm about 2/3 of the way through and have been edified and encouraged by how the author guides readers towards meaningful & lasting healing.

In any case, I'll offer a decade of the rosary for you. Jesus loves you dearly and will never abandon you.

My fundamental problem with the Eastern practice of married clergy is that, unless someone is going to tell me otherwise, it doesn't require continence.

The ancient tradition in the Church, regardless of East or West, is the requirement for continence. There has been very compelling research on this in the last two decades. The West has admitted married clergy in more recent times (as is always the prerogative of the Pope), but because of celibacy, the question of continence as such hasn't come up (not talking about sin).

This is my complaint. I think the idea of "reinstating" in a larger way married clergy in the West is theologically incorrect with the tradition if it doesn't have the idea of continence in said marriage. I think the East has erred in this practice, as there is a demonstrable change in practice in this regard...again, unless I'm reading it wrong and Eastern clerics are required to be continent in their marriages.

https://www.amazon.com/Apostolic-Origins-Priestly-Celibacy-Christian/dp/0898709512

And there's a follow-up book.

I want truth. That's my quest.

And if you are on a truth quest, I would encourage you to check out is God a moral monster by Paul Copan.

Down a bit I made some comments about God being the only one who can define morality.

https://www.amazon.com/God-Moral-Monster-Making-Testament/dp/0801072751

I’m completely unafraid of hell because it’s an incoherent idea (I think the same about “god” btw). I can’t be afraid of a married bachelor or a round square because I am unable to even imagine a logically coherent representation of those things since they are self-contradictory.

We’ve all been taught to be afraid of hell since early childhood, but just like we’re told not to look directly at the sun, we weren’t encouraged to think clearly about the details of hell, were we? That’s because there aren’t any, and attempts to form a coherent description of hell that is consonant with “god’s” supposed nature, scripture, and logic always fail.

David Bentley Hart, possibly the most prominent English-speaking theologian working today, wrote an entire book about how he thinks the eternal conscious torment version of hell not only doesn’t exist but can’t exist. Further, he argues that if any form of Christianity truly teaches this, it’s a sign that form of Christianity is false.

I’m personally biased to think that all forms of Christianity, indeed all human religions are false in the sense that none of them fully and accurately describe reality…but anyway maybe this theologian is right? If he is right, then you have nothing to fear. Be a good person, do your best, the “god” this guy believes in is not a sadistic, evil maniac like the Catholic “god.”

> Yes, that's when the orgasms happen.

This is a psychological condition known as sado-masochism and you should see a professional.

> Don't learn BDSM through p***, you will make mistakes and my break something.

Well, it's not the sort of thing that just springs to mind naturally.

> yes of course, all BDSM is consensual. If it wasn't consensual it's rape.

Legally justifiable contractual consent is much less important than actively, positively consenting to participating in some behavior, especially between spouses.

> Also come up what's wrong with degrading?

For the long version, read Love and Responsibility. For the short version, human persons have inherent dignity and should be treated with dignity as human persons. Degrading, dehumanizing behaviors go directly contrary to this dignity and transform human interaction from a relationship of two persons to a transactional use of one person-as-object by another person for self-gratification. Sexual intercourse of this type is hardly worth the name, but is more like mutual masturbation.

Degrading and dehumanizing people is the psychological basis for racism, sexism, genocide, slavery, and the Stanford prison experiment, among other things. It is taking something valued highly by God and treating it as if it has no particular value at all; or, "What God has made clean, you must not call profane."

If you don't mind heavy reading, I say skip to this. JPII wrote it before becoming pope; it covers the theological and philosophical basis for the Theology of the Body.

It's also pretty heavy reading.

This may not be a direct response to your question, but hopefully it will be helpful. I read this book several (like 8-10) years ago and found it helpful and accessible to a lay audience:

"Is God a Moral Monster"? by Paul Copan

I can't say for sure that it's as good as I thought it was back then, but maybe someone in here has a more recent recollection of it or a similar work.

If I remember correctly, he addresses the issue from several perspectives, such as the genre of the text being more hyperbolic than literal, the notice given to the Caananites to evacuate prior to individual conquests, and yes, I believe he addresses the issue of God's will in multiple senses (which seems to be the core of your question).

https://www.amazon.com/God-Moral-Monster-Making-Testament/dp/0801072751

This is a complex question, please have a look at this book which tackles this topic in depth.

https://youtu.be/NW2dgvRi8lA

Also a video directly addressing the topic.

Hey buddy. Here’s a book about universal salvation that is sure to relieve you of your worries:

https://www.amazon.com/That-All-Shall-Saved-Universal/dp/0300246226

I suffer from OCD also. If you want to talk about it, message me. I would love to talk about it and share my experiences with you. Trust me, I know OCD and the thoughts that it presents extremely well. I know you are in a dark place right now, but you will be okay. You are safe.

“Fear not” is in the Bible 365 times. God wants you to be free of anxiety, not full of dread and despair. You are not going to Hell, nor are your loved ones.

If you have not yet done so, check out David Bentley Hart's book That All Shall Be Saved. He is a reputable scholar, and in that book he provides not only an excellent argument in favor of universalism, but answers your specific question about αιον.

Below is just one paragraph from several pages dealing with the Greek words αιων and αιωνιος:

>No matter how we interpret the discrete terms, however, we must never forget that today the entire ensemble of references that we bring to these phrases is wholly detached from the religious world of Christ's time, and particularly from its eschatological expectations. It seems absolutely certain, for instance, that the words αιων and αιωνιος are frequently used in the New Testament as some kind of reference to the 'olam ha-ba, "the Age to come," which is to say the Age of God's Kingdom, or of that cosmic reality now hidden in God that will be made manifest at history's end. It seems fairly certain, at least, that in the New Testament, and especially in the teachings of Jesus, the adjective αιωνιος is the equivalent of something like the phrase le-olam; and yet it is no less certain that this usage cannot be neatly discriminated from the language of the 'olam ha-ba without losing something of the special significance it surely possessed in Christ's time. The issue then is not one of how long, but rather of when, or of what frame of reality -- what realm, that is, within or beyond history.

That last sentence answers your question most succinctly: the words αιων and αιωνιος refer more to a "when" and less to a "how long" time frame.

<em>The Noonday Devil: Acedia, the Unnamed Evil of Our Times,</em> by Dom Jean-Charles Nault O.S.B., describes the problem and lists ways you can overcome it.

You might find this book helpful. It identifies the problem and gives you ideas about how to combat it.

Check out David Bentley Hart. He's an Eastern Orthodox theologian who defends universalism very well. His book that does so is That All Shall Be Saved.

Three things:

• Memorize Proverbs 5-7
• Get mentoring / counsel regularly from a parent or a minister / elder at your church
• Read Overcoming Sin and Temptation by John Owen

The second one is especially important. If you're not ready to confess to a person who knows you and can hold you accountable, you're not ready to repent. And when I say this, I don't mean your best friend: I mean someone in authority, who is one of the three categories above (parent, minister, elder).

Search David Bentley Hart into YouTube or podcast outlets for interviews surrounding his fantastic, sophisticated, formidable, and so far undefeated book That All Shall Be Saved

If his concerns stem from religious indoctrination, ye may want to read, What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality, by Daniel Helminiak. https://smile.amazon.com/What-Bible-Really-about-Homosexuality/dp/188636009X

Self mortification isn't about distracting yourself from or punishing yourself for temptation. It is the taking on of voluntary suffering to draw you closer to the Lord.

At best, this is a stopgap measure. What is really needed is a careful examination of your desires and needs so that they can be placed before the Lord. Sexual thoughts and temptations are expressions of legitimate needs that have gotten twisted up and turned inward.

May I suggest 'Unwanted' by Jay Stringer? His book is an excellent guide to examining sexual struggles in this light and moving beyond the battle to victory in Christ.

Yale University Press: https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300246223/all-shall-be-saved

Amazon: $23.40 USD That All Shall Be Saved: Heaven, Hell, and Universal Salvation https://www.amazon.com/dp/0300246226/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_O44.CbWM0VRCF

Will be released September 24, 2019

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/188636009X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_RexDFbSCQJBM5

For yourself start on the first link...

For science see about this guy's books and articles...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_LeVay#Queer_Science

More questions... dm... :)

It might be acedia, whose chief daughter is despair. There is not a lot you can do differently, but mainly persevere - especially in the little, daily things. If it helps, reading Scripture - which would remind you of His real and present love - might be something to do more of.

You can read Nault for a deep dive; Evagrius provides more solutions, and Nault covers him in the first few chapters.

But yes, (sexual) attraction is what starts drawing you to someone- however, the love that blossoms from it is something much more than just attraction.

If you haven't read it yet, this is answered in Love & Responsibility by JPII. You can read that book, or be like me and read the summary version which I HIGHLY recommend: https://www.amazon.com/Men-Women-Mystery-Love-Responsibility/dp/0867168404

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PS: I would caution you about rebutting any advance from someone you have no attraction to, unless you know the person. I've met people who, at first, seemed really unattractive but after hanging out with them once or twice became attractive in my eyes due to their personality or something else. In the same vein, I've had attractive people instantly become unattractive because of an ugly personality or view on the world. But if it'll NEVER work out, then yeah, don't just date because someone asked you out.

Have you ever read The Noonday Devil: Acedia, the Unnamed Evil of Our Times?

Actually, I'm not sure ano nirerefer mo brad. In anycase genocide is an old atheist argument against the old testament God. So no. My short answer, no holy genocide.

Read Is God a Moral Monster?: Making Sense of the Old Testament God

His book that all shall be saved is very popular in Universalist circles and helped put into words what I was already starting to believe. But as the other commenter mentioned he’s a bit of a snob, when it comes to things he cares strongly about.. which is a lot of stuff.

https://www.amazon.com/What-Bible-Really-about-Homosexuality/dp/188636009X/ref=nodl_

I found this book exceptionally healing.

I look to Jesus for how he used the ancient texts. He reinterpreted them to look for the meaning behind them. For example… “It is said an eye for an eye but I SAY turn the other cheek.”

Jesus never once spoke of homosexuality. In fact he healed a centurion’s slave who had every chance of being involved in Roman traditions.

Jesus constant focus is calling us to love. He called out systemic brokenness - religious more than any other and offered freedom from oppression.

I am a gay human and I have come to trust that we are all children of a truly loving God.

You might want to read What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality, by Daniel Helminiak

Jesus never said anything about homosexuality. Neither did any of the prophets, or any of the disciples. The Catholic church started teaching that homosexuality is a sin during the middle ages, after they started selling forgiveness for money. They needed lots of sins, so they could
sell lots of forgiveness.

I think you should totally read Ed Sri's Men, Women, and the Mystery of Love too. It's probably the friendliest and more engaging explanation ever of JPII's teaching on attraction, relationships, marriage, and sexuality. You'll probably find in it a very useful roadmap for navigating anything and everything related to this topic 👌🏼

Nah Love and Responsibility is also a very dense read 😅😆. You know what? You should totally start with Edward Sri's Men, Women and the Mystery of Love. It's an awesomely narrated chapter by chapter explanation of L&R that includes a lot of very engaging examples and references (ex. the Titanic movie). It is so good that it's probably the only book I've actually read through in a single sit--although it caused me a university event that day 😆.