A year or two ago I heard about a book called "Open Embrace: A Protestant Couple Rethink Contraception" via our pro-life group on campus. I put it on my list of "books to read someday". Well, tonight was someday! This short book was read in all of about 2 hours while I was at work (in-between answering call lights, of course!). Open Embrace is written by a Protestant couple who realized there was no book from a Protestant point of view that supported NFP, yet alone did not condone contraception. Using an assortment of reason, Scripture, and cool quotes (Papa JPII and G.K. Chesterton, along with some other cool people), they give their reasons for abandoning the world's contraceptive mentality. I think it's a great tool for anyone wanting to reach out to others to explain why NFP is so great, especially for people who might be wanting to promote it to non-Catholic Christian acquaintances or even non-Christian acquaintances. Seeing the viewpoint of a faith that is different from mine and how they came to their conclusions was refreshing. Overall it's a good, quick read.
*note* Unfortunately the authors are now on a different path and no longer believe in the message they wrote about for this book, which is quite sad. Say a prayer for them that they find their ways back to the beautiful lifestyle of openness to life.
We discussed this book in my Catholic Motherhood group about a year back. I mean, we didn't read it, but it (and the authors' story) came up as we were discussing NFP.
ReplyDeleteIt is always interesting to hear people's perceptions (Catholic and otherwise) of NFP, because there is definitely a wide range of thought/opinions out there about it. It really is a way of life though, and when lived is a beautiful thing for a marriage.
Have you read Humanae Vitae? I read it (it is a very quick read) at my in-laws' a few weeks ago and it. is. awesome.
I haven't read it (yet) in its entirety, just bits and pieces...that might be a fun project for this school year!
ReplyDeleteI'd pick it up sooner rather than later, it is quite worthwhile, and I think I read it in under half-an-hour.
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