twiztedseraph:
Pope John Paul II compiled the theology of the body, a series of addresses over about a decade. It addressed the human body and its relation to God and the soul… Pre eminent in this is the theory that sex is the call for the two to become one, is but a glimmer or “a thumbnail of a thumbnail of a thumbnail” of heaven. Also the theory that the husband serves the wife as the order is to husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church…Christ loved the Church by serving her, by washing the Apostles feet and by dying for her.
What is the Orthodox take on the body and sex?
www.theologyofthebody.com
Thanks seraph. I have been exposed to a little of John Paul II’s “theology of the body” and agree with some of the ideas presented. I think that you will find the theology surrounding sex and the body is not as defined in Orthodoxy.
In fact you will find disagreement among Orthodox of all periods–including the present one–as to whther sexual relations are a result of the fall or not. I don’t think this issue matters as much as acknowledging the fact that sex needs redemption after the fall, and it is much more difficult to engage in the act in a pure manner, given our current sinful nature. Redemption of course is possible with Christ. Sex is not permenantly relegated to a sinful and base act. That is to say it does not always need to be a carnal or completely carnal act, but can be a pure reflection of spiritual love. This is of course what it was originally intended to be.
There are some Orthodox who would disagree with me and some who would agree. However, I do not see sex as coming as the result of the fall primarily because in Holy Scripture I see male and female before the fall. That is we were created as sexual beings from the “get go”. There is satanic oversteer in this direction as well. There are some contemporary Orthodox theologians who have glorified sex to the point that it is seen as some sort Sacrament. Of course as Orthodox we are called to make our entire lives Sacramental through His grace, but sex is not somehow intrinsically holy, reflecting the highest state of Married bliss in itself.
We are of course called to a higher state in both Marriage and single life in Christ. For as Saint Paul says, it is “better for a man not to touch a woman” and again we have the example of Mary and Joseph and of our Blessed Lord. This does not mean that sex is intrinsically sinful, but that virginity is a holier state of being and virginity is of the heart, mind, and body. The garden is not as high a state as we can be in Christ. Christ does not condemn sex as sinful, but shows us a better and more righteous way.
Now as far as the body goes, someone else may want to chime in. Simply that we are created in the image of God and that somehow mystically we reflect the Holy Trinity. One and three, without confusion or separation. That is beautiful enough for me.
Hope this helps.
In Christ,
Patrick
