The Freedom to Love: Recovery and the Seven Deadly Sins

For anyone who is Christian, and especially Catholic, this fine book will compliment any of the 12 Step programs. Fr. Emmerich covers the classic seven deadly sins, and also their opposing virtues, applying them to specific addictions which seem to be so prevalent these days. In addition to the opposing virtue for each capital sin, the opposite extreme is also considered. For example, regarding the capital sin of pride, the opposing virtue is humility, and the opposite extreme is self-loathing. For the capital sin of lust, the opposing virtue is chastity, and the opposite extreme is prudishness. Both the sin and the opposite extreme should be recognized and avoided in seeking to live a healthy, integrated, virtuous life.It just makes sense to me that a person of faith would want to include a study of the various sins which can lead to addictive behavior as part of their recovery. This book offers hope both for the addict and their loved ones that by opening ourselves to the love of God, and using all of the tools at our disposal - like the 12 Steps - we stand the best chance of overcoming these addictions. This book is concise, contemporary, well-researched, and I recommend it without reserve.

Disappointed. Having heard Father speak in person, I expected this to have a lot of his humor and funny stories, but this reads more like a dissertation. I imagine this is fine for many, but not what I was hoping for. Wish I had been able to look it over before I spent the money on it.

While this book is confronting in its message, it provides a wonderful and practical explanation of the role of virtue and habit in the development of character. There are many passages that provide opportunities to contemplate aspects of life, and relationships with yourself and others, that simply may never have occurred to you before. For instance, the sections on "lust" (which seems a taboo word to even write down in an Amazon review when the book in question calls the reader to examine themselves in respect of lust dependencies) are potentially difficult but rewarding.It's only short and it's worth a go. (It's on Kindle too, which is always a plus.)

I wish Fr. Emmerich could clone himself and be a priest in every parish in our Diocese. We have so many priests here who are addicted to sexual sins. It's been years since I have heard a homily in Church that combined faith and intelligence. But now I can read his book whenever I want or need that great mixture of true faith in a real Christ and common sense about life that he provides. My husband tends to get derailed by St. Paul's use of words which have a loaded philosophical context ("predestined"; or "flesh"/"spirit" dichotomies) but I thought Fr. Emmerich's treatment of Paul was useful, important, and sane.

The author uses the principles used in the AA 12 steps, relating them to overcoming our addiction to sin. He does it with good taste, lots of humor, and good analogies. Very spiritual while at the same time pertinent to everyday life in the world with its temptations, the advice is given by someone with personal experience in the subject matter. You will find here spiritual growth principles for any state of life.

This book is so great I want to get it for all my AA friends

Awesome book. Quick read. Somethings are truly black and white BUT not as apparent as we may think. I've come to learn that a "virtue" is the middle ground between two vices. Gluttony< temperance> starvation and sloth<diligent>workaholic

Great book. Easy to read. Good advice in my life

verygood

Just what I wanted and on time.