Durham E-Theses Bound to Shame: Sexual Addiction and Christian Ethics ARENS, JOHANNES How to cite: ARENS, JOHANNES (2011) Bound to Shame: Sexual Addiction and Christian Ethics , Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/714/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk Johannes Arens Bound to Shame: Sexual Addiction and Christian Ethics Abstract This thesis is an attempt to add understanding and meaning to the concept of sexual addiction by correlating the clinical observation that sex addicts in particular, and shame-bound people in general, behave in cycles of control and release to the types of the two sons in the Lukan parable of the prodigal. This parable may be understood as shedding light on the equal dangers of patterns of control and release. Additionally, sex addiction is viewed from an Augustinian perspective of sin. It is argued that human vulnerability to shaming is a result of original sin and that sexual addiction can be understood within this framework as one possible reaction to shame damage. It is suggested that at the heart of the Christian gospel is a severe warning that to attempt to hide and deny a distorted and painful perception of oneself presents a particularly deadly spiritual condition. To view sex addicts as shame-bound people poses the question as to whether the church faithfully participates in the continuing mission of the triune God and how far its ministry helps towards the healing of shame. On the other hand, we need to explore whether the church adds to the shaming of individuals and groups, is unaware of the dynamics of shame, or even exploits those affected by this. In the context of the current discourse within the Christian church about human sexuality, and in view of recent scandals of sexual abuse, the question of ministry towards those whose sexuality is wounded is of particular concern. Bound to Shame: Sexual Addiction and Christian Ethics Johannes Arens Doctor of Theology and Ministry Department of Theology and Religious Studies Durham University 2011 49448 words Prefatory Note As approximately 70% of sex addicts are male, I shall choose the male form if sexually exclusive language is difficult to avoid. 4 Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................ 11 2 METHODOLOGY............................................................................................................ 13 2.1 Theological Method ............................................................................................................ 13 2.2 Limits of the Study............................................................................................................... 16 2.3 Methodological Approach ................................................................................................ 18 2.3.1 Theological Tradition ................................................................................................ 18 2.3.2 Biblical Engagement................................................................................................... 19 2.3.3 Ministerial Outcomes................................................................................................. 20 3 ADDICTION .................................................................................................................... 21 3.1 Conceptual, Definitional and Diagnostic Concerns ............................................... 21 3.2 Aetiology of Addiction ....................................................................................................... 23 3.2.1 Neurobiological Abnormalities preceding Addictive Behaviour............ 23 3.2.2 Factors in the Social or Physical Environment of the Individual............ 26 3.3 Synthetic Theories of Addiction .................................................................................... 27 3.4 Discussion ............................................................................................................................... 31 4 SEXUAL ADDICTION.................................................................................................... 36 4.1 Stories....................................................................................................................................... 36 4.2 Theory of Sex Addiction.................................................................................................... 40 4.2.1 Categorisation and Terminology.......................................................................... 41 4.2.2 Symptoms....................................................................................................................... 44 4.2.3 Diagnosis and Definition.......................................................................................... 49 4.2.4 Epidemiology and Prevalence ............................................................................... 51 4.2.5 Gender Issues................................................................................................................ 52 4.2.6 Progression.................................................................................................................... 52 5 4.3 Excursion: Internet and Cybersex ................................................................................ 53 4.3.1 Integral............................................................................................................................. 55 4.3.2 Imposing.......................................................................................................................... 56 4.3.3 Isolating........................................................................................................................... 56 4.3.4 Interactive ...................................................................................................................... 56 4.3.5 Inexpensive.................................................................................................................... 57 4.3.6 Intoxicating.................................................................................................................... 57 4.3.7 Economics....................................................................................................................... 57 4.3.8 Conclusion...................................................................................................................... 58 4.4 Addiction Cycles ................................................................................................................... 58 4.4.1 Preoccupation............................................................................................................... 59 4.4.2 Ritualisation .................................................................................................................. 59 4.4.3 Compulsive Sexual Behaviour ............................................................................... 60 4.4.4 Despair............................................................................................................................. 60 4.4.5 Function........................................................................................................................... 60 4.5 Sexual Anorexia .................................................................................................................... 61 4.5.1 Terminology .................................................................................................................. 61 4.5.2 Function........................................................................................................................... 62 4.6 Addiction Interaction: Alternating Addiction Cycles or Oscillating Cycles of Control and Release ....................................................................................................................... 65 4.7 Summary.................................................................................................................................. 68 4.8 Aetiology of Sex-Addiction............................................................................................... 69 4.8.1 Trauma and Compulsive Trauma Re-Enactment .......................................... 69 4.8.2 Outcomes ........................................................................................................................ 88 4.9 Treatment and Recovery.................................................................................................. 91 4.10 Conclusion............................................................................................................................ 96 6 4.10.1 Sexual Addiction ....................................................................................................... 96 4.10.2 Personality Traits ....................................................................................................