Sex and the Sacred City

Rating:
Summary: A quick introduction to the Theology of the Body
Review: As Steve Kellmeyer points out in his introduction, "In every age, God has brought forward the weapons necessary to combat error. In this age, the most pernicious error revolves around a true understanding of human sexuality." The most formidable weapon in this battle for the truth about sex is Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body, and Kellmeyer's book is a readable and unimtimidating introduction to this school of thought. Sex and the Sacred City is extremely helpful for anyone who wishes to understand why the Catholic Church teaches what She teaches about human sexuality, as well as why what She teaches is not only true, but also amazingly beautiful. The only weakness I saw was that the presentation of the obligations of the spouses to one another was somewhat one-sided: the husband's obligations to his wife were made abundantly clear, but the wife's toward her husband, less so. However, that is a minor flaw and the book is an excellent contribution to popularizing John Paul II's thought on this challenging subject. I highly recommend it.

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Summary: My Two Cents, Steve
Review: If the Theology of the Body is the feast, then Steve Kellmeyer's book Sex and the Sacred City is the best aide in digestion out there. It is a great tool to help in understanding the Pope's beautifull gift of his teachings on married love and human dignity.
The bible and catechism references at the end of the chapters will help you to continue your journey through the Theology of the Body. I highly recommend this newest work of Steve's. Every married and soon to be married couple should read this.

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Summary: Our Bodies--God's Plan
Review: If you are looking for an introduction to the Theology of the Body, this is the shortest, easiest book to read on the subject that I have seen so far. The first chapter on the Trinity is profoundly beautiful. Subsequent chapters discuss the implications of the theology of the body on our understanding of God's actions in creation, man's fall, and our redemption, and the implications this new way of looking at these events has on our everyday lives. The discussion questions and scripture and CCC references at the end of each chapter and the references from encyclicals and other papal letters make the book ideal for use in study groups. If people in every parish studied and lived this teaching, our culture and the world would be transformed. Accept the challenge to share this with everyone! The catchy title is sure to attract the young people who seem to be most receptive.

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Summary: The best easy-read on the Theology of the Body
Review: If you are looking for an introduction to the Theology of the Body, this is the shortest, easiest book to read on the subject that I have seen so far. The first chapter on the Trinity is profoundly beautiful. Subsequent chapters discuss the implications of the theology of the body on our understanding of God's actions in creation, man's fall, and our redemption, and the implications this new way of looking at these events has on our everyday lives. The discussion questions and scripture and CCC references at the end of each chapter and the references from encyclicals and other papal letters make the book ideal for use in study groups. If people in every parish studied and lived this teaching, our culture and the world would be transformed. Accept the challenge to share this with everyone! The catchy title is sure to attract the young people who seem to be most receptive.

Rating:
Summary: Finally - An easy to read guide to the Church's view on sex
Review: Sex and the City - this book is not. However, if you are interested in the Catholic Church's view on human sexuality, this is a MUST read. It will change your perspective on the Church and will make you an INFORMED Catholic the next time someone approaches you at the water cooler about something they have read in the paper concerning the Church's view on human sexuality.

Rating:
Summary: Finally - An easy to read guide to the Church's view on sex
Review: Sex and the City - this book is not. However, if you are interested in the Catholic Church's view on human sexuality, this is a MUST read. It will change your perspective on the Church and will make you an INFORMED Catholic the next time someone approaches you at the water cooler about something they have read in the paper concerning the Church's view on human sexuality.

Rating:
Summary: Our Bodies--God's Plan
Review: Sex and the Sacred City

If you think that "original sin" means to be born of a sinful act, you've got it wrong, but this book will set you straight. Even if you know your catechism, Sex and the Sacred City will take you on a surprising journey through the mysteries of Divine love, marriage and human sexuality. In this slim volume, Kellmeyer distills Pope John Paul II's "Theology of the Body." He writes with a lucid style, using contemporary analogies, humor and persevering logic to bring to the lay reader the pope's meditations about the human person.

Beginning with an explanation of the Trinity-a "communion of persons, a family whose life is love" (cf. Eph. 3:14-15)-the book skillfully navigates through such mysteries as the meaning of "nature" and "person," God as Pure Existence and God as Perfect Love, how we are "made in His image and likeness" and why we need, therefore, to love. Furthermore, it delineates how this love must be lived out in the body and how conjugal love mirrors God's love for us.

"When we consider Adam and Eve," Kellmeyer writes," when we consider how God has inscribed Himself both upon our very bodies and upon the communion of persons that our bodies make possible, we realize that we must allow that same grace to teach us how to live out in our bodies the power God has given. Having the power is not enough. We have to learn how to use it. We learn this by service."

But service does not mean servile. Quoting from the Italian movie, Life is Beautiful, Kellmeyer give an example of the uncle who explains to his nephew, a waiter who bobs up and down excessively, "Think of sunflowers. They bow to the sun. But if you see some that are too bowed down, that means they are dead. You are serving; you are not a servant. Serving is a supreme art. God is the first servant. God serves man but He is not a servant to men."

Using the communal love within the Trinity as a model, Kellmeyer carries us through a study of Creation, The Fall, The Incarnation, The Sacraments, Married Life, Family Life and even Celibacy (an earthy archetype for the spiritual ecstasy everyone will experience in the Beatific Vision). In his rich meditations we discover the sanctification of the family and what it means to use our bodies in God's original holiness.

Kellmeyer provides a reflection in every line of Sex and the Sacred City. It is a book to study at your leisure, savor, read and re-read. At the end of each chapter there are several questions for discussion, Bible verses for contemplation and references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Study With Profound Insight!
Review: Steve Kellmeyer's book "Sex and the Sacred City" was a profound guide through the Trinity, the Sacrements, and God's plan for marriage, human sexuality, family life, and our vocation in life.
Mr. Kellmeyer utilized the ability to make a deep theological belief understandable through a layered approach using anticdotes and common daily occurrences to help the reader clearly understand his points. The insights were very in-depth and thorough and the end of each chapter contained thought-provoking questions and Catechetical and Biblical references.
This would be an excellent tool for a private or group study session, with the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Bible well used to bring the book together with Church teachings.
His direct-approach with the truth in human sexuality is eye-opening for all in the Catholic Church and should be a mandatory for high school students and pre-marriage couples.
Thank you for establishing a new deeper understanding of our Faith!!

Rating:
Summary: Sex and the Sacred City
Review: Steve Kellmeyer's Sex and the Sacred City is a charmingly written, easy to read introduction to Pope John Paul's Theology of the Body. It is an invaluable aid to understanding the Church teachings on sexuality. I highly recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: Sex and the Sacred City
Review: Steve Kellmeyer's Sex and the Sacred City is a charmingly written, easy to read introduction to Pope John Paul's Theology of the Body. It is an invaluable aid to understanding the Church teachings on sexuality. I highly recommend it!