05 April 2010

Reprint

An article I wrote for the Jan/Feb issue of Touchstone has been reprinted at Generation Cedar.

In these rhetorically destitute latter days, it seems prudent to state upfront that the points presented are in no way a slam dunk regarding contraception. They are merely observations of how the Christian ethical milieu in relation to chastity and marriage has changed since procreatively inhibitive intimacy became the norm among practicing Christians.

I am indebted to my reverend father for much of my thought on this matter, whose emphasis in confirmation class on the necessarily public nature of marriage really stuck with at least one sixth grader.

A wordle for the short on time:

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

The article: good, solid stuff. I confess I've told some kids "if you can't be good, can't you at least be smart?"

Now I more often find myself thinking, "if you're that bad, good thing you're not smart".

Howumsoever, and generalizing like crazy, at some point of maturity or age, the presence or absence of shame enters the picture, there's more hope for a shameful sinner than for a brazen one?

Rebekah said...

Anon, indeed.

rbmayes said...

Thanks for giving me the chance to read through this amazing piece again. I'm glad it's getting the attention it deserves. Keep those articles coming.

Rebekah said...

rbm, thanks for your help with it in the first place.

greatgaunts said...

I've lamented among family lately that I was pushing 25 before I heard from anyone like you CSPPers. Among Lutherans, anyway. Thanks for being so vocal and taking the time to write.

Rebekah said...

EKG, it's really selfish of me, so no need for thanks. For one thing, I like it; for another, I can occasionally get paid for it; and most of all, I'm so spectacularly arrogant that the only person I really find persuasive is myself.

Dawn said...

Ha!

Wow. Why are we so cool?

Untamed Shrew said...

"naked from the cleavage up". :D Indubitably.

I just really really wish I could get two certain field workers AND their beautiful grad-school wives to read this. Even if I could, it'd go in one eyeball and out the other. They are so hell-bent on getting that special piece of paper that declares them smarter than the average bear. One mentioned she was exhausted, so I asked if she could be with child. Her hands flew up to her mouth and she said, "That would be awful!" Regardless of what evidence I present from scripture (there is NO scritural argument for BC--I've looked!), they will see their lifestyle as "smart" and "responsible". Mea maxima culpa.

Rebekah said...

Joy, what amazes me is that anyone who has spent time with MA students would believe that paper means anything other than, "I am minimally employed and have no real responsibilities."

Untamed Shrew said...

LOL! And "I wasted lots of money." But don't you remember how sure we were of ourselves? It was the opinion that fire could not melt out of me: use "protection" until you're sure the marriage will last and you're well-established in a career that makes you happy. Oh bittersweet irony! The children ensure my lasting marriage. The children are my career. And this being my 5th pregnancy and all, I think I can call it well-established. Happiness is irrelevant; I'm going for eternal joy.

I just want the truth from these kinds, dern it. Admit that you're using whatever questionably-ethical method you can get your paws on because--well, deep down, you DON'T believe children are a blessing and a reward. You believe they're career-crushing, bank-account-draining leeches. Just say it. Say it out loud. And then you too can be a sanctified wrestler and healing can begin.

My husband read your article and enjoyed it. :-)

rbmayes said...

"...a sanctified wrestler..." I love this! I'm adding it to my favorite phrases list. "Sanctified" all by itself just sounds too cushy.

Anonymous said...

>> And then you too can be a sanctified wrestler and healing can begin.

Proverbs 31: "wisdom and the teaching of kindness" amen and amen

Untamed Shrew said...

I was once dubbed such by a Lutheran Pastor. It stuck. I wrestle with a lot of things, procreation and universalism being high on the list. I pray I am never so proud as to believe I'm absolutely, positively in the right and have nothing to learn.

Dawn said...

Shrew: I have a hard time with Universalism, too. :P