Can contracepting individuals expect to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant" when they stand before the Lord?

[Priscilla_Ann]

Okay. I ordered “Theology of the Body for Beginners” from Amazon.com tonight. I’m really sincerely trying to understand Catholic teaching on contraception. Even though ABC is no longer relevant in my marriage, I would like to be more informed when discussing the issue with others, including members of my own family.

I think the book is less than 200 pages, so it shouldn’t take long to read…

 

[Dan_Grelinger]

In reality, these are decisions that have spiritual, emotional, and serious physical health consequences; and these decisions are between a married couple, their doctor and God.

I have seen this type of statement many times, and it bothers me in that it seems to explicitly be designed to eliminate the responsibility that the Church has been tasked with by Jesus Christ. Jesus did not task the responsiblity of guiding us to eternal salvation to our doctors. But he did task Peter, His apostles and His disciples with this responsiblity. And the Church cannot, in staying true to Christ, allow itself to be excluded from guiding the flock concerning these serious moral issues.

In summary, if you attempt to exclude the valuable teachings of the Church in these matters, then you are excluding Christ, the Son of God.

Sincerely,

Dan Grelinger

 

[Dan_Grelinger]

You’re right. Scripture doesn’t come right out and say that Artifical Birth Control is wrong. I guess that’s why it’s hard for me to understand ABC being a sin. (Scripture also doesn’t mention the Trinity; however, Scripture does mention the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, so that isn’t hard to understand.)

Priscilla,

Does Scripture say that bulimia is wrong? Does it say that abortion is wrong? Does it say that using your neighbor’s wireless internet connection is wrong? Unfortunately, the things we can do that are wrong are innumerable, it would be impossible to list them all.

What Scripture does give us is the guidance to figure out the morality around new circumstances that people find themselves in as the world moves through time. Sometimes it is difficult to discern, and that is why we depend on the Holy Spirit’s gift of the Church to help us.

I have read much of Christopher West, and find him an awesome author. I also had the priviledge of hearing him speak this spring in Kansas City. I hope that you enjoy your read. If you have children, I am hopeful that the material will help you in your role of their primary moral teachers.

Sincerely,

Dan

 

[MilesXpisti]

I have seen this type of statement many times, and it bothers me in that it seems to explicitly be designed to eliminate the responsibility that the Church has been tasked with by Jesus Christ. Jesus did not task the responsiblity of guiding us to eternal salvation to our doctors. But he did task Peter, His apostles and His disciples with this responsiblity. And the Church cannot, in staying true to Christ, allow itself to be excluded from guiding the flock concerning these serious moral issues.

In summary, if you attempt to exclude the valuable teachings of the Church in these matters, then you are excluding Christ, the Son of God.

Sincerely,

Dan Grelinger

Myself, I couldn’t agree more. If one accepts that the Church has the power to forgive sin or to deny that forgiveness (cf. Jn 20:23), then it becomes an inescapable conclusion that the Church has been granted by Christ immutable powers, on both Earth and in heaven, of divinely-inspired judgement, and by extension, it must have the right to discern in the light of divine revelation and by virtue of the living Magisterium what is morally good or evil, else the power would be impotent.

 

[Julian_Peters]

Thank you to all who have participated. This thread is now closed.