The Sin of Onan

[StMartin_67]

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=4435327&postcount=12

I do think the above explains the mind of the Church here.

 

[Timothysis]

Hi Tim-

I dont think it is possible to truly understand the Onan sin without having a well-developed theology of the body. I highly recommend Christopher West’s 10 CD set “Naked without Shame” for your in car listening - its only $3.00 for the entire set and its available online here:
giftfoundation.org/naked_without_shame.htm
Human sexuality is an extraordinarily sacred thing to God. It has been speculated that the experience of the marital embrace is the closest experience we may have of the Trinity in this life. Anyone who treats sexuality in a cavalier manner offends God tremendously. Just look at how much of Scripture - Old and New Testament - deals with sexual sin.
You seem strongly convinced that God killed Onan because of his wishing to avoid fathering children for his brother. And you point to the Scripture as being contextually clear on this. I would offer two points of consideration:

1. As has been pointed out, God’s penalty for doing this was being “desandaled” and spit in the face.
2. Read carefully again, what it says: “What he did was wicked in the Lord’s sight; so he put him to death also.” Technically I tend to think of something “visible” (ie in his sight) that resulted in God’s killing him. Wishing to avoid getting her pregnant is not visible, spilling one’s seed is.
   Of course I dont think the intentions of the heart and the actions of the body are meant to be separated here. It’s all wicked, but the specific means that he chose to accomplish his wicked ends seems to be what pushed God over the edge. Just remember - human sexuality is the divine, sovereignly sanctioned means for allowing the creation of human beings - God’s “very good” workmanship made in His own image and likeness; meant to worship Him in time and eternity. You dont go messin’ with that…Onan did and God took him out.

Thank you for the kind post, Philthy. While I may not agree with everything you posted I did find a thing or two to think about in regards to the topic even though this line frightened me a bit:
**
“Onan did and God took him out.”**

 

[Timothysis]

With this question you display a little bit of ignorance on the symbolism of sin in the OT. Or are you just exasperated?

Let’s review. According to your reasoning:
a) God slays Onan explicitly because of deny his dead brother children.
b) God does not slay Judah for the same offense.
c) God sets the law that this sort of crime is not punishable by death.

Hmmmmm…

So what are we supposed to learn from reading the OT?!?!

Exasperated? Yes, for you see, the above quote of mine was said in sarcasm.

 

[NotWorthy]

Exasperated? Yes, for you see, the above quote of mine was said in sarcasm.

Great, than how about answering this without sarcasm. Is this the way you see the story?

a) God slays Onan explicitly because he denies his dead brother children.
b) God does not slay Judah for the same offense.
c) God sets the law that this sort of crime is not punishable by death.

 

[Philthy]

Thank you for the kind post, Philthy. While I may not agree with everything you posted I did find a thing or two to think about in regards to the topic even though this line frightened me a bit:

"Onan did and God took him out."

“Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Proverbs 1:7

 

[StMartin_67]

Great, than how about answering this without sarcasm. Is this the way you see the story?

a) God slays Onan explicitly because he denies his dead brother children.
b) God does not slay Judah for the same offense.
c) God sets the law that this sort of crime is not punishable by death.

Answer:
Pope Pius XI:

1. But no reason, however grave, may be put forward by which anything intrinsically against nature may become conformable to nature and morally good. Since, therefore, the conjugal act is destined primarily by nature for the begetting of children, those who in exercising it deliberately frustrate its natural power and purpose sin against nature and commit a deed which is shameful and intrinsically vicious.
2. Small wonder, therefore, if Holy Writ bears witness that the Divine Majesty regards with greatest detestation this horrible crime and at times has punished it with death. As St. Augustine notes, “Intercourse even with one’s legitimate wife is unlawful and wicked where the conception of the offspring is prevented. Onan, the son of Juda, did this and the Lord killed him for it.”[45]

 

[NotWorthy]

Answer:

                 Originally Posted by **Pope Pius XI, Encyclical Casti Connubii**                                      
             *

1. Small wonder, therefore, if Holy Writ bears witness that the Divine Majesty regards with greatest detestation this horrible crime and at times has punished it with death. As St. Augustine notes, “Intercourse even with one’s legitimate wife is unlawful and wicked where the conception of the offspring is prevented. Onan, the son of Juda, did this and the Lord killed him for it.”[45]*

I’m sorry but this can’t be right.

You see, someone earlier on this thread (was it Tim?) clearly stated that only recently have Catholics wiggled the sin of Onan to be associated with masturbation.

So there is no way that St. Augustine could have been saying this. You must have misunderstood him.

Sorry.

 

[StMartin_67]

I’m sorry but this can’t be right.

You see, someone earlier on this thread (was it Tim?) clearly stated that only recently have Catholics wiggled the sin of Onan to be associated with masturbation.

So there is no way that St. Augustine could have been saying this. You must have misunderstood him.

Sorry.

Dear NotWorthy:

These two passages go together:

54. But no reason, however grave, may be put forward by which anything intrinsically against nature may become conformable to nature and morally good. Since, therefore, the conjugal act is destined primarily by nature for the begetting of children, those who in exercising it deliberately frustrate its natural power and purpose sin against nature and commit a deed which is shameful and intrinsically vicious.

1. Small wonder, therefore, if Holy Writ bears witness that the Divine Majesty regards with greatest detestation this horrible crime and at times has punished it with death. As St. Augustine notes, “Intercourse even with one’s legitimate wife is unlawful and wicked where the conception of the offspring is prevented. Onan, the son of Juda, did this and the Lord killed him for it.”[45]

This “horrible crime” in 55. refers to “those who in exercising it (the conjugal act) deliberately frustrate its natural power and purpose” in 54.

 

[NotWorthy]

Dear NotWorthy:

These two passages go together:

This “horrible crime” in 55. refers to “those who in exercising it (the conjugal act) deliberately frustrate its natural power and purpose” in 54.

My good StMartin_67, please understand that I was only picking. I was hoping that my poor sense of humor was not too subtle.

And the joke wasn’t on you. It was on the person who claimed most emphatically and authoritatively that only within recent times has the Church used Onan to condemn masturbation and contraception.

 

[StMartin_67]

My good StMartin_67, please understand that I was only picking. I was hoping that my poor sense of humor was not too subtle.

And the joke wasn’t on you. It was on the person who claimed most emphatically and authoritatively that only within recent times has the Church used Onan to condemn masturbation and contraception.

One can never tell around here, it seems.