Rating: 
Summary: Great for Marriage Prep Courses
Review: Take the subtitle of this book seriously -- "Answers to your honest questions..." Christopher West has done a great job of surveying the questions that believing Christians have about sexual morality and the meaning of marriage. I highly recommend it for engaged couples or for those conducting marriage prep courses. Christopher doesn't beat you over the head with teachings, he just carefully explains why Christians believe what they do, and why that is so amazingly important. If you approach the book with "honest questions," you will be really blessed by the insights you will gain about the nature of the human person, the nature of marriage, and God's role in that relationship.Much of the book follows a "Question and Answer" format. There will surely be some temptation to just look up your particular question. While it is helpful when used this way, I recommend actually reading it through. The book is carefully structured to provide a firm foundation for its answers, which will enable you to more fully understand the implications of your own responses to these questions. Read it straight through, you'll be very glad you did.
Rating: 
Summary: I was incredibly offended by this book.
Review: The book is structured into several chapters; each of which starts with a few introductory paragraphs and then follows with questions and answers. The topics for chapters include explorations of the vows of catholic marriage, appropriate behaviors before and during marriage, contraception, and even a chapter on sexuality for those that have chosen a celibate vocation. I believe the viewpoints are in concordance with humanae vitae and John Paul II's (other) writings.
I consider the only pertinent audience for this book to be those who absolutely agree with ALL of the church's teachings and are merely looking for a justification for those teachings. There is no open discussion of alternative views. At one point, the author suggests that all of the church's teachings must be followed, and if a person is unwilling to do so, they may wish to consider leaving the church. There is a place for "conscientious objection" to the moral teachings of the catholic church, but the author denies this possibility. The author further suggests at numerous points that if a person disagrees with the church's teachings that the motivation is purely selfish. I find this view offensive. At one time the church condoned slavery (among other stances that we now consider to be incorrect or downright evil). I suggest that dissention is critical for a church that is vital and evolves over time. The author disagrees with that viewpoint. I was further offended by unreasonable leaps of logic. For example, at one point the author decries masturbation as a purely selfish act. Although there may be some physical or psychological benefits to the act, a person certainly can't argue with the author that is is intrinsically a selfish act. However, the author then jumps to the conclusion that masturbation renders a mature relationship with another person impossible and that they will inevitably view their spouse as an object for their own gratification. I think most men can differentiate their hand from their wife. This type of logic is rife throughout the book. Most of the author's explanations simply go too far; it was sufficient to say that masturbation was selfish, he stretched things too far, loosing ALL credibility. I am also intensely angry at the author for misusing scripture. For example, he uses the reference of God striking down someone who did coitus interruptus as proof of the evil of contraception. If one reads the context of the scripture, it is clear that the scripture is misused. In another example, he suggests that after Adam and Eve ate the apple, they feared the lust of each other. I have always had it interpreted that they simply were ashamed of their nakedness. I believe the author is fabricating arguments out of scripture to make his points, but he is consistently misusing that scripture.
Let's see, using deceit (if not outright lies) to enforce the guidance of the church. I call that downright EVIL. I do not know whether the author went overboard because he thought he had to "win" a critical argument, or he didn't actually believe the church's teachings and tried to compensate. The author mentions that he questioned his sexual preference as a young man (although he gratefully didn't detail how far he progressed in same-sex relationships); perhaps a simple unquestioning view toward sexuality is comforting to him, and perhaps it might be comforting to some readers as well.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST Engagement/Wedding Gift You Can Give!
Review: There is truly no better gift you can give to those engaged and married than the wisdom of this book. If you're like those of us who were married before it was written, get it for us too! It's never too late to improve your marriage with the life-transforming power of this book. Truly an inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Christopher West powerfully and eloquently explains John Paul II's Theology of the Body and how it can and will radically transform the world we live in. He explains how this "theological timebomb" is the means by which the "new evangelization" will take place, and how that will impact each and every one of our lives. This theology truly points us all as male and female to that sought after answer to the age old question of the meaning of life. By means of an introduction to the Pope's theology followed by a question and answer format, the author is able to lay the ground work for its understanding followed by specific answers and advice. If you've ever had any questions about Catholic teaching on sexual matters, you're sure to find the answer here. Christopher is able to do this with great empathy and deep insight because this very theology transformed his own life so radically. The best thing I can say is simply this; READ THE BOOK, because it will literally change the way you look at everything. If you're courageous enough to let it sink in, it will change your life forever.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable and Informative
Review: This book was recommended to me by a friend who saw it at a local bookstore. I am not Catholic and was inquiring about the Catholic faith. I believe this book represents a very good view of the Catholic teachings on love and sex in and out of marriage. Christopher West does an excellent job of putting the ideas and concepts into everyday language that anyone can understand. He explains many different topics in depth and with a great deal of thought. This book was great to answer my questions about why Catholics believe things that they do in the topics of love, sex, and marriage. It was a great way for me to understand what Cathlolic marriage is all about. I recommend this book to people who are looking to better understand Catholic teaching on these topics or people who are preparing for marriage in the Catholic Church.
Rating:
Summary: Important book
Review: This is a very important book for us as Catholics, especially right now. The data are in. Widespread availability to contraception and abortion have played a large role in making the divorce rate in the United States skyrocket since the 1950's. Furthermore, widespread availability of contraceptives have lead to a massive increase... that's right.. increase in children being born out of wedlock and "by accident." A whole host of problems, from to divorce to children living in poverty, have their root, at least partially, in the widespread availability, and social respectability, of contraceptives.
Since giving up artificial contraception in favor of Natural Family Planning, my wife and I have experienced an improved sex life, a more rewarding prayer life, and a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. This is because that God made sexual intercourse for our good, but like all His gifts, gave it to us with explicit instructions on how not to abuse it. Living in accord with Scripture is truly empowering.
Beware non-Catholics who tell you that scripture doesn't ban artificial birth control, and therefore the Catholic church is abusing its authority. When Scott Hahn was an anti-Catholic at Gordon Conwell his wife became convinced, using scripture alone, that birth control was immoral, and Scott was convinced by her arguments, not by Catholic doctrine. All mainline protestant churches taught birth control was immoral, until the Anglicans had their conference at Lambeth in the 1930's. Even at Lambeth, the Anglicans approved it only within marriage for "extreme hardship."
This is one of those teachings where dissent is a very bad idea. Couples who practice NFP have a 2% divorce rate. Couples who do not have a 50% divorce rate. Couples who practice NFP report sexual gratification. Couples who do not report that husbands have to beg for sex, and never seem to be satisfied. Couples who practice NFP learn their bodies. Women can spot health problems regarding their reproductive system that the pill often masks. Women who do not use the Pill are less prone to uterine cancer, breast cancer, stroke, and heart attack. I am a thoughtful person. There is no argument that has been mounted that has come close to convincing me that the birth control pill is a good idea for women.
Finally, I want to give a word of warning to Catechists, Catholic teachers, and priests. Those who dissent on this teaching are wrong. The Magisterium is correct. When I was first married a catechist told us that using the pill was okay. Thank God we made friends with a more courageous Catholic who shared the truth. Our marriage is stronger, and our relationship is stronger. By giving us this advise, this liberal catechist, whether she meant to or not, was seeking to undermine our marriage and our relationship with Christ. If we had heeded her words and not converted, we would have had a much higher risk of divorce, and my wife would be facing an increased risk of serious health problems. This pontiff seems to assert that Catholics who dissent from church teaching on this issue have poorly formed consciences. He is absolutely correct. Read this book, put away your pride, and your marriage will prosper.
If you don't like books that are straightforward and simply written, I would pick up copies of "Theology of the Body" and "Love and Responsibility." Make sure that pride is not driving you. This excellent book by West is easy to read. "Theology of the Body" and "Love and Responsibility" are written by one of the worlds most intellectually capable men, with two Ph.D.'s in theology and philosophy to his credit. Love and Responsibility especially is NOT an easy read. If you find West's style insulting, pick up the pontiff's books. Just be ready to commit a good month or two to serious study.
Rating:
Summary: Great resource on Sex and Marriage
Review: This is an excellent resource for anyone desiring to know what the Catholic Church really teaches about sex and marriage. It is clear and concise, and answers lots of tough questions. Christopher West does an excellent job of bringing John Paul II's "Theology of the Body" to the people. What a great way for readers to discover the "nuptial meaning of the body" from an internationally recognized speaker on the subject! The chapters of this book clearly build upon one another, starting with "The Great Mystery: Laying the Foundation." Subsequent chapters cover Church Authority, Basics of Marriage, Chastity Outside of Marriage, Chastity within Marriage, Contraception, Reproductive Technologies, Same-Sex Attraction, and Sex and the Celibate Vocation. I would highly recommend this book to parents, married or engaged couples, Catholic teachers, marriage preparation ministers, or anyone desiring to know more about authentic Catholic teaching on sex and marriage.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Book!
Review: This is certainly one of the most incredible books I've ever read. Christopher West has a unique talent for explaining sometimes complex Church teachins in an easy-to understand way. He is very candid in his approach, which I appreciate; he pulls no punches and challenges us to rethink our views towards sex and marriage. Every Catholic should read this book. I think it has worth for non-Catholics, too.
Rating:
Summary: The Gospel of Sex
Review: Yes, you heard me right. Sex is good, but it's also very dangerous. This is the teaching of the Catholic Church. No Church has a more counter-cultural expalantion of what sex is. Why on Earth does it teach what it does on contraception, non-marital sex, IVF, and homosexuality? Christopher West, using Scripture, philosophy, and a whole lot of the writings of Pope John Paul II gives a stunning explanation of it all. A must read for everyone confused by why the Church says what it does.
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