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The Monk and the Skeptic: Dialogues on Sex, Faith, and Religion
Through his provocative and influential work, most notably The Culture of Desire and A Queer Geography , Frank Browning has proven himself to be an erudite and intellectual writer with deep insights into the fusion of culture and identity.
In his new book The Monk and the Skeptic , Browning examines the intersection of sexuality and religion through the framework of conversations between the author and a gay priest to discuss the nature of secular and spiritual friendship; religious thought on same-sex marriage; the relation of the body to God; the mission of charity enacted by the drag troop Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence; the biblical prohibitions on improper pleasures of the body; and the history of how the church has viewed the body and desire. Browning manages to bring in a host of influences to his Descartes, Locke, Greek Myth, Christian Myth, Buddhist myth, Harry Potter, St. Thomas Aquinas, as well as modern writers like Jeanette Winterson, John Boswell, and Daniel Mendelsohn. The result is an engaging, timely, and very modern discourse on how the self and sexuality has been interpreted throughout the ages.
In his new book The Monk and the Skeptic , Browning examines the intersection of sexuality and religion through the framework of conversations between the author and a gay priest to discuss the nature of secular and spiritual friendship; religious thought on same-sex marriage; the relation of the body to God; the mission of charity enacted by the drag troop Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence; the biblical prohibitions on improper pleasures of the body; and the history of how the church has viewed the body and desire. Browning manages to bring in a host of influences to his Descartes, Locke, Greek Myth, Christian Myth, Buddhist myth, Harry Potter, St. Thomas Aquinas, as well as modern writers like Jeanette Winterson, John Boswell, and Daniel Mendelsohn. The result is an engaging, timely, and very modern discourse on how the self and sexuality has been interpreted throughout the ages.
168 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
140 people want to read
About the author
Frank Browning
21 books7 followersFrank Browning is an American author and former correspondent for National Public Radio.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 5, 2013
(nb: I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley)
“The Monk and the Skeptic” is a collection of dialogues between the author—the skeptic—and a Dominican monk named Brother Peter.
The two meet in a museum, and from there begin an extended relationship, where they discuss the nature of religious faith and sexuality, and how the two fit together. Indeed, many aspects of modern life have roots in these questions. Should same-sex marriage be allowed? How does the Church deal with priestly physical desires? Is there salvation outside Christianity? Can Christians enjoy pornography? And what’s the deal with drag queens?
The list goes on. Frank Browning is a writer of huge intellect, thoughtful and extremely well-read. Here, he draws heavily from St. Thomas Aquinas, Aristotle, John Locke, as well as the Bible itself. His arguments are clear, concise, and quite well-balanced.
These are difficult questions with multiple answers, after all, and to handle them in flip or derisive language disrespects the reader and the questions themselves.
The basic idea behind “The Monk and the Skeptic” is that the two men meet, have sex, then discuss spiritual ideas after. In some chapters, the Monk has very little to say. The narrator asks a question, which the Monk answers, and then the narrator launches into a scholarly discourse.
When I say “scholarly discourse,” I don’t mean to impugn this book’s writing. Though the ideas are lofty and the opinions—on both sides—very well-argued and full of philosophical references, the writing here is always clear. “Scholarly” so often equates to “tedious and stilted” when discussing books. Frank Browning writes wonderfully, presenting complex answers to difficult questions, but doing so in prose accessible to all of us non-PhD’s.
At day’s end, I’m not certain whether Brother Peter really exists, or whether he is but a construct of this book—a framework to allow Browning to debate tough issues. At day’s end, I’m not certain it matters. Brother Peter exists inside this book, and that is more than sufficient.
“The Monk and the Skeptic” is a remarkable book, one that will appeal to curious readers on either side of the religious fence. Most importantly, perhaps, it does what we all should do: it raises the level of debate, allowing reasoned discourse to replace knee-jerk, oft-inflammatory emotional responses. The questions posed here are complex. They merit thoughtful answers. The monk and the skeptic—as well as the reader—deserve no less.
Highly Recommended
“The Monk and the Skeptic” is a collection of dialogues between the author—the skeptic—and a Dominican monk named Brother Peter.
The two meet in a museum, and from there begin an extended relationship, where they discuss the nature of religious faith and sexuality, and how the two fit together. Indeed, many aspects of modern life have roots in these questions. Should same-sex marriage be allowed? How does the Church deal with priestly physical desires? Is there salvation outside Christianity? Can Christians enjoy pornography? And what’s the deal with drag queens?
The list goes on. Frank Browning is a writer of huge intellect, thoughtful and extremely well-read. Here, he draws heavily from St. Thomas Aquinas, Aristotle, John Locke, as well as the Bible itself. His arguments are clear, concise, and quite well-balanced.
These are difficult questions with multiple answers, after all, and to handle them in flip or derisive language disrespects the reader and the questions themselves.
The basic idea behind “The Monk and the Skeptic” is that the two men meet, have sex, then discuss spiritual ideas after. In some chapters, the Monk has very little to say. The narrator asks a question, which the Monk answers, and then the narrator launches into a scholarly discourse.
When I say “scholarly discourse,” I don’t mean to impugn this book’s writing. Though the ideas are lofty and the opinions—on both sides—very well-argued and full of philosophical references, the writing here is always clear. “Scholarly” so often equates to “tedious and stilted” when discussing books. Frank Browning writes wonderfully, presenting complex answers to difficult questions, but doing so in prose accessible to all of us non-PhD’s.
At day’s end, I’m not certain whether Brother Peter really exists, or whether he is but a construct of this book—a framework to allow Browning to debate tough issues. At day’s end, I’m not certain it matters. Brother Peter exists inside this book, and that is more than sufficient.
“The Monk and the Skeptic” is a remarkable book, one that will appeal to curious readers on either side of the religious fence. Most importantly, perhaps, it does what we all should do: it raises the level of debate, allowing reasoned discourse to replace knee-jerk, oft-inflammatory emotional responses. The questions posed here are complex. They merit thoughtful answers. The monk and the skeptic—as well as the reader—deserve no less.
Highly Recommended
March 21, 2019
More like a series of essays exploring faith and sexuality (and history and physicality and and and...) framed by conversations between the author (the skeptic) and his lover, Brother Peter (the monk). I went back and forth between being annoyed at both (at the author for at first sounding smug) and at Brother Peter (for his seeming cognitive dissonance around what faithfulness to his vows actually meant), but ended up appreciating and being curious with them both. A provocative read that doesn't really begin and end as much as it meanders and invites the reader along for the ride.
January 17, 2014
This stretched the limits my understanding and knowledge of philosophy and metaphysical theology. It was entertaining, and enlightening, but I'm not sure I understood all. Sometimes I thought we were counting angels on the the head of a pin, and other times lost in the sphere of if's. A quite well written book
January 3, 2015
This was a First Reads Giveaway.
To say this was book was odd is a profound understatement. It revolves around an ongoing conversation between the narrator and Brother Peter who enjoy discussions on life, etc., as well as a homosexual relationship.
To say this was book was odd is a profound understatement. It revolves around an ongoing conversation between the narrator and Brother Peter who enjoy discussions on life, etc., as well as a homosexual relationship.
Want to read
October 25, 2013I won the first-reads giveaway. Just received it today, will update when I finish reading it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews