Reviews for The Courage to Be Chaste

The average rating for The Courage to Be Chaste based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2015-10-25 00:00:00 Craig Woods I read this book because it was in some ways foreign to me. I certainly embrace marital chastity, and learning how to protect and preserve that is important, but the focus of the book is on celibate chastity - its definition, problems (including various sexual problems in general) and its benefits (ending up with the spiritual benefits). It surprised me in many ways. First, the book was written in 1985 (by a Capuchin priest)so it called upon depth psychology, healing of memories, and other psychological movements of the time. I have heard Adrian von Kamm speak, as well as Susan Muto. I have read Morton Kelsey. So this took me back to a time when psychology and spirituality were more easily integrated than in the physiologically-oriented present. That was good, for I ended up more integrated for the reading. Second, the book is written with very few detailed examples. There are a few case studies (used with permission and with details changed), but mostly issues of sexual deviation are not described in detail nor are a lot of stories included. That was off putting, but also good. It showed that the author was indeed a discreet confessor and that he did not want to titillate with his discussion, but rather give enough information for psychological and spiritual reflection and diagnosis. If one needed more detail, it was probably because one needed therapy, and he refers to the type of person to see multiple times, as needed. Third, the book gives a positive case of celibate chastity as a deliberate choice. That was attractive. Some may end up celibate (and hopefully chastely celibate) due to an accident of history - they never could find an appropriate spouse, their spouse left them or died or was incapacitated. To be life-giving this needs to be turned into a choice. Groeschel is not at all blind to the down sides and traps, but he is clear on the strengths and advantages. And he draws on the long history of friendship (for him, principally Augustine) to show how one can have a rich life as a chaste celibate. This is a book that I have appreciated reading, and which I will also recommend especially to those considering the celibate life, but also to some married people struggling with chastity with marriage. Sometimes aged wine is better than the newer wine.

Review # 2 was written on 2007-05-31 00:00:00 STEVEN CARRY While I didn't agree with all of Groeschel's points in this book, I did find this most illuminating and very encouraging as one called to chaste celibacy. I particularly like the stories that he weaves into his points. His brusqueness can take some getting used to (I haven't quite acquired a taste for it yet) but then again, I prefer the brusque truth to a sugar-coated one.