Bible & Theology Course for the Laity, DVK, Bangalore

Full Reports on the Bible & Theology Course - 2004

Complementary Nature of Sex and the Call to Wholeness

In every solid anthropological vision, the human person appears as a being, incomplete and not yet realized. Because a person does not find in himself or herself alone all the indispensable ways for self-realization, he/she is not self-sufficient. One realizes oneself only by being open. However, this process of being open is contrasted by one's selfishness that is influenced by the sinful human nature and modern individualism that requires every person to be self-sufficient.

Because human beings exist in two modalities or forms - masculine and feminine, an authentic realization or growth of the person does not obtain without an adequate sexual interaction with the opposite sex. The distinctive dimension of human sexuality does not exhaust only in the procreation like the animals. Corporeality or physical/material existence (not spiritual) is clearly a fundamental aspect of human sexuality.

One of the important obstacles to self-realization is the temptation to live without proper consideration of the distinctive masculine and feminine characteristics or neglecting them. Masculine form alone or feminine form alone cannot by itself offer a true model of being fully human. Consequently, the authentic human character of a society should necessarily be united with the presence of authentic masculine and feminine values and in fruitful exchange between them. Harmony involves their diversity and interdependent complementarity; that is, men have to become more human by the nearness of women and vice versa.

To achieve an effective sexual integration, it is important to know exactly about male sexual identity and female sexual identity. The psychological portrait of man is simpler than that of woman. Physically, man is stronger. Woman's strength is not in physical power but in her humanizing power. It can be said that man has more muscles and woman more heart. If a woman competes with men in building up her muscles, she will be inferior.

A man is inclined to competitions and public affairs. He possesses a special impulse towards independence. The idea of self-sufficiency is his strong temptation. Male identity takes its shape from his relationship to the world whereas female identity is shaped by her intimate relationship with another person.

Authentic discovery of woman gives man a new dimension in life, fills and existential void in him, and thus makes him more human. This is evident in the joyous reaction of Adam when he saw Eve for the first time:- Gen 2:23: "...bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh!" Authentic discovery of man makes woman more human. Woman plays her primary role in the protection and promotion of a new human life. Thus, the essential element of female identity is to give life to humanity and give humanity to life.

However, man usually expects gentleness, tenderness, modesty, tact, etc. from woman. Similarly, woman expects certain vigour, vitality, ability to face difficulties with optimism, initiative, etc. from man. It is true that real femininity inspires man and real masculinity inspires woman, and this is humanizing and salvific (able to save or redeem). However, 'masculinization' of woman and 'feminization of man" are ugly and destructive. The effect is self-negation and depersonalization. If woman adopts masculine 'defects' in the professional field, they become violent and had instead of being strong and independent, and aloof instead of being social.

Modern feminist movements, by emphasizing equality of man and woman, neglect the complementarity of sexes that harmonizes equality, diversity, and specific sexual identity of either sex. Authentic complementarity of man and woman stems from their sexual identity. Feminism that does not accept the relations and variations between man and woman in the most favourable way for reciprocal enriching is limited and insufficient.

Introduction   Biblical understanding   Song of songs   Catholic tradition
Sexual cells: Basics   All embracing reality   Complementarity & Wholeness
Conclusion   Human Sexuality Index

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