Death & God's Permissive Will, Church’s Teaching on Masturbation, and Is NFP Truly Open to Life? | ACW329
Ask Christopher West
Theology of the Body Institute
4.9 • 549 Ratings
🗓️ 21 April 2025
⏱️ 51 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Questions answered this episode:
- At a recent funeral, people spoke about God's perfect timing in death, but I wondered, isn't death, the separation of body and soul, a result of the fall? Doesn't God's will have both a perfect and permissive side, given our fallen world and freedom to choose? Wouldn’t God prefer us to live forever, body and soul, rather than just our souls going to heaven? Can you help me understand all of this in the context of Theology of the Body?
- I was discussing sexuality with my atheist friend when she asked why the Church says masturbation is wrong. She then compared her body to a Ferrari, claiming she worked hard to take care of it and should be able to enjoy it alone. I was left speechless. What does the Church and Theology of the Body say about this?
- I’ve been practicing NFP with my husband since our marriage, but I’m struggling with my conscience. He wants to wait a year before trying to conceive, while I feel ready to start our family. I worry that NFP is being treated like contraception. I’m also feeling lonely and disconnected, especially since it’s easy to abstain for weeks. How do I talk to my husband about this, and am I wrong to think NFP isn't right for us right now?
Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute President Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II’s beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | From the Theology of the Body Institute, this is the Ask Christopher West podcast. |
| 0:14.5 | Hi, podcast listeners. |
| 0:20.4 | Hey, everybody. |
| 0:40.3 | Happy Easter. Monday. We said that at the same time. We did. That was kind of funny. I have a little question for you, for our listeners. I don't know what it is. That's right. I'm going to surprise you. And then I'm going to ask you one. Oh, no. I'm not an on-the-spot person. It's going to be good. Darn it. |
| 0:39.4 | See? Oh, no. I'm not an on-the-spot person. It's going to be good. Darn it. See, you like the surprise. |
| 0:43.1 | But if you get to do it, I get to do it. |
| 0:44.6 | No, it's not the same. |
| 0:46.7 | All right, well, here's my question anyway. |
| 0:49.3 | What I wanted to ask you is, in the Gospels and maybe acts, no, I think it's just in the Gospels, there are these |
| 0:56.6 | different stories of encounters Jesus has after his resurrection. |
| 1:03.1 | In Acts 2 with St. Paul. |
| 1:05.8 | Good point, but that's after his ascension too, isn't it? |
| 1:09.0 | Yeah. |
| 1:09.5 | So that's different. |
| 1:10.5 | Okay. |
| 1:11.0 | Okay. So anyways, different. Okay. Okay. |
| 1:11.6 | So anyways, what I want to know is do you have a favorite encounter, a favorite resurrection encounter? |
| 1:18.9 | Favorite resurrection encounter? |
| 1:18.9 | And if so, would you share it with me? |
| 1:22.5 | Yeah. |
| 1:23.2 | Okay, go ahead. |
| 1:23.9 | Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. |
... |
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