Square Zero

Archive for the 'Theol. of the Body' Category

Eric on Drew Mariani Today

Posted by Eric (September 7, 2006 at 2:55 pm)

Hertz Radio SetFriends, I’m scheduled to be on the Drew Mariani Show today on Relevant Radio, discussing the Pro-Life Action League’s upcoming conference, “Contraception Is Not the Answer”, to be held Sept. 22-23. I’ll be the first guest on the program; I should be on starting at about 3:00 p.m. Central Time.

You can listen live online or tune into the Relevant Radio station in your area.

Update: Well, I wasn’t on for as long as I would have liked; I was all psyched to take calls and the lot. But I’m not going to shake a stick at a free 10-minute advertisement for the conference. Thanks, Drew!

Posted in Pro-Life, Theol. of the Body | 5 Comments »

The Orthodox & Contraception

Posted by Eric (May 11, 2006 at 1:10 am)

The VisitationWhen it comes to me and Eastern Christianity, I’m something like a newlywed: I’m in giddy with love and most sincerely committed, but still have a lot to learn about this mysterious Other. This is especially true when it comes to Eastern theology, particularly on the issue of marriage and the related questions of divorce and contraception.

Fortunately, there are smart guys like Karl Schudt out there to help me along. (more…)

Posted in Byzantine, Theol. of the Body | 31 Comments »

Saying “No” with Your Bodies

Posted by Eric (May 1, 2006 at 11:13 am)

There’s one more issue that I’ve got to address in Sam and Bethany Torode’s “Open Letter” repudiating the views articulated in their 2002 book, Open Embrace: A Protestant Couple Rethinks Contraception. That isn’t to say this will be my last word on the broader issues involved, but at least for now it’s my last response to the specific points raised in the “Open Letter.”

The statement I want to address here is this:

We also see honest congruity with the language of the body by saying “no” to conception with our bodies (via barrier methods or sensual massage) when our minds and hearts are also saying “no” to conception.

(more…)

Posted in Theol. of the Body | 2 Comments »

A Rocky, Rooty Uphill Climb

Posted by Eric (April 29, 2006 at 1:24 pm)

Rocky climb in PANo, this isn’t a post on cycling. But further reflection on the Torode Affair and the real difficulties of practicing NFP put me in mind of a particularly challenging climb I managed this week on my mountainbike despite feeling weak and wobbly that day.

Not only is this particular hill steep and long, but it’s rooty and rocky. The only way to manage it—and I’ve failed to reach the top as often as I’ve made it—is to focus on the trail right under the front wheel. This helps you navigate around the ruts and rocks and keeps you from being discouraged at the sight of how very, very far you have left to go.

(more…)

Posted in Catholicism, Family, Theol. of the Body | 9 Comments »

Open Embarrassment

Posted by Eric (April 28, 2006 at 4:49 pm)

Book cover detail, invertedToday I was told that Sam and Bethany Torode have issed an “Open Letter about Open Embrace,” more or less recanting the opposition to contraception that they articulated in their influential 2002 book, Open Embrace: A Protestant Couple Rethinks Contraception. My first reaction on hearing this report was incredulity; I didn’t believe it until I had verified it. Turns out it’s true.

This is disappointing news on many levels. The Torodes write:

[O]ur personal experience in the past five years has shown that we had a lot to learn about NFP, and that there is a dark side we weren’t aware of. . . . [S]trict NFP reaches a point where it is more harmful for a marriage than good.

(more…)

Posted in Catholicism, Family, Theol. of the Body | 15 Comments »