F.C. Parts 1 & 2 - (The Family...Foundations of writing))

Part I: Bright Spots and Shadows for the Family Today 
A. This part defines the problems of the family in our age.
B. God's plan for marriage and family life is not an abstract, theoretical concept, but applies to families in their concrete existence.
C. Some very appealing ideas are proposed in our age to questions about family life.
D. However, many of these are contrary to the Gospel.
E. The Church wishes to offer the entire truth about humanity and family life to the modern world.
 1. The Church is not just the hierarchy, but includes all the baptized.
 2. Christian couples have a very special obligation to proclaim the Gospel to other families.
F. There are certain modern negative phenomena which threaten the family.
 1. Divorce.
 2. Abortion.
 3. Sterilization.
 4. A contraceptive mentality.
G. At the root of these phenomena is a false idea of freedom based on selfishness.
 1. There is a conflict between two loves: love of self and the love of God.
 2. The Church proclaims the freedom and love of the Gospel, which are not in conflict because both find their source in God.
H. The faithful are not immune to these false ideas.
I. A new culture is emerging which is characterized by advanced technology.
 1. These developments are good.
 2. But we must recover an awareness of moral values.
J. Everyone needs a permanent conversion to Christ.

Part II: The Plan of God for Marriage and the Family
A. This section teaches the world what the family is, i.e., its identity.
B. The first article of Part II summarizes the Theology of the Body series.
 1. The human person, as an image of God, is made to love.
 2. This love is expressed in and through the human body.
 3. Human love must reflect the total self-donation of God in the creation and the redemption.
 4. The gift of a married couple to one another must include the possibility of children. Couples should exercise "responsible fertility."
 5. Sexuality and procreation are not something merely biological.
 6. If a man and a woman love one another and wish to express their love through their sexual powers, this must occur in marriage.
 7. Virginity and celibacy also represent a gift of love in and through the body.
C. Marriage is a sign of God's love for His people.
D. Christ restores family life and makes it possible even after sin.
 1. Christian married couples are a sign of Christ's love.
 2. They are called to love as Christ loved us on the cross.
E. Children are a precious gift of marriage: the fruit of the mutual gift of the spouses to one another.
F. The family is a communion of persons which builds up society and the Church.
G. The family also is the means by which the child enters society and is introduced into the life of the Church.
H. Conversely, the Church finds a way to the hearts of all people, especially children, through the family.
I. Virginity and celibacy are embraced as another way of expressing love.
 1. Virgins and celibates testify to the goodness of marriage and family life.
 2. Further, it is only when family life is held in high esteem that virginity and celibacy make any sense.