Chastity

Reconciliation of the Senses

De: Erik Varden

Narrado por: John Sackville

Bloomsbury presents Chastity: Reconciliation of the Senses by Erik Varden read by John Sackville

The word ‘chastity’, at first sight, may seem intimidating, something to be dismissed out of hand. It is, however, something very different to celibacy.

At a time when religion is in decline in the Western world and when it often seems that the senses have run riot, Erik Varden shows that chastity, the single minded direction of the senses, is a loveable quality and one that affects and beautifies humankind.

The terms sexuality and wholeness indicate that to be sexual is to exist in a state of incompleteness longing to be restored. Wholeness points to a healing embrace that we desire so greatly. In Biblical language, chastity is a function of simplicity of sight. We are no longer torn apart by our passions and our desires, indeed they may reach their fulfilment. Body and spirit, male and female, order and disorder, passion and death can move from creative tension to a new kind of wholeness.

Varden’s text is enriched by a wide range of references to scripture, literature, music, painting and sculpture.

©2025 Erik Varden (P)2025 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Digging into the depths our faith

I love how Bishop Varden ties in works from different times, genres, and cultures to illustrate ideas that are rooted in Scripture and the teachings of the Church Fathers. It feels, at times, like being on archaeological dig as Varden unearths beautiful parts of the faith that have become lost and forgotten in our modern times. This was great to listen to, but I ended up buying a copy of the book as well because there are so many references I wanted to know about.