Pittenger, Norman. Making Sexuality Human. Philadelphia: Pilgrim Press, 1970.

Abstract

Here is the capstone of an outstanding theologian's third of a century of teaching and writing. Dr. Pittenger, author of over fifty books, former vice-chairman of the Theological Commission of the World Council of Churches' Faith and Order Division, former editor of Theology and the Anglican Theological Review, who for thirty-three years taught at New York's General Theological Seminary, becomes once more Father Pittenger as he openly, compellingly discusses man's sexual nature and its expression - heterosexual and homosexual. He dismisses the so-called "Christian ethic" of sex as merely a canonization of Victorian morality, which he feels actually contradicts the genuine Christian tradition of acceptance of man's bodily nature. Dr. Pittenger would suggest a sexual ethic for our time based solely on affection, responsibility, and permissiveness. This highly readable statement recognizes that "The real obscenity in human life is not in sexual desires and acts but in hatred, injustice, and lack of understanding of others." It recognizes and provides a theological affirmation that sexuality is central to human personality. All the more impressive because it is the work of a mature theologian, this book shows an active, still growing, open attitude and method seldom found in established theologians so established. Pittenger is intent upon pushing beyond the routine and often weary interpretations that theologians often write about sex. "What is required of us is neither an obsession about sex nor a negation of sex, but a firthright positive attitude towards it." There are no easy or quick judgments here, but the development of a comprehensive theological position for sexuality. Rather than a simple-minded index of do's and dont's, it is a highly respected author-teacher's attempt to say something relevant to our time that makes sense theologically, psychologically, and socially.