Called to Love: Approaching John Paul II's Theology of the Body [Hardcover]

Carl Anderson (Author), Jose Granados (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 14, 2009

A thoughtful, accessible work on the beauty of love and the splendor of the body, inspired by Pope John Paul II.

Christianity has long been regarded as viewing the body as a threat to a person's spiritual nature and of denying its sexual dimension. In 1979, Pope John Paul II departed from this traditional dichotomy and offered an integrated vision of the human body and soul. In a series of talks that came to be known as “the theology of the body,” he explained the divine meaning of human sexuality and why the body provides answers to fundamental questions about our lives.

In Called to Love, Carl Anderson, chairman of the world’s largest catholic service organization, and Fr. Jose Granados discuss the philosophical and religious significance of “the theology of the body” in language at once poetic and profound. As they explain, the body speaks of God, it reveals His goodness, and it also speaks of men and women and their vocation to love. Called to Love brings to life the tremendous gift John Paul II bestowed on humanity and gives readers a new understanding of the Christian way of love and how to embrace it fully in their lives.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Carl Anderson and Father José Granados write with a clarity, beauty, and intelligence that make these pages a joy to read. But it’s the content that makes this book so important. In a culture that increasingly devalues human life, this is a compelling, wonderfully readable reflection on ‘the theology of the body’ and the meaning of human love and sexuality. I highly recommend it.”
—The Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia

About the Author

CARL ANDERSON, New York Times bestselling author, is the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of the Knights of Columbus. He held various positions of the Executive Office of the President from 1983 to 1987, was a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and has taught at the Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Rome. FR. JOSE GRANADOS is assistant professor of patrology and sytematic theology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday Religion (April 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385527713
• ISBN-13: 978-0385527712
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,660 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Carl Anderson is the New York Times bestselling author of "A Civilization of Love: What Every Catholic Can Do to Transform the World," and - with Msgr. Eduardo Chavez - of "Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mother of the Civilization of Love." He is the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, the world's largest lay Catholic organization and also serves on a number of Vatican committees.

Previously, Mr. Anderson held several positions in the White House, including special assistant to the President and acting director of the White House Office of Public Liaison. He also served for nearly a decade as a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on JP2's theology of the body, May 5, 2009

By 

Elizabeth - See all my reviews

This review is from: Called to Love: Approaching John Paul II's Theology of the Body (Hardcover)

I've read other works on John Paul II's theology of the body before, but what set apart "Called to Love" for me was the authors' interweaving of the pope's other literature, as well -- specifically, his poetry and plays. I must say I came away with an even greater appreciation for the late pope and his committment to marriage, families and upholding the dignity of the human person. Clearly, he was steeped in this love.

I think "Called to Love" achieves a nice balance between giving the layman a thorough -- but accessible -- introduction to JPII's teachings on love and human sexuality, and providing a "where do we go from here" approach for those already familiar with theology of the body and want to bring that message of faith-filled love to society. I'd definitely recommend it.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fuller view of JPII's Theology of the Body, June 10, 2009

By 

J. Singer (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Called to Love: Approaching John Paul II's Theology of the Body (Hardcover)

Carl Anderson and Father José Granados have done an amazing job interpreting and explaining Pope John Paul II's "Theology of the Body". Mr. Anderson and Fr. Granados have presented in Called to Love, a mature and all-encompassing understanding of the "Theology of the Body" that underscores the true subject of Pope John Paul II's catechesis: the vocation of every Christian person to love. In this reviewer's opinion, the authors here have one up on Christopher West-- Mr. West presents a kind of introduction to the "Theology of the Body" that gets your feet wet. Here is the rest of the story. Carl Anderson and Fr. Granados have presented the main attraction: how the vocation to love transforms and informs our understanding of human sexuality and human love.

My favorite aspect of Called to Love is that the authors incorporate not only Pope John Paul II's Wednesday Audiences which comprise the "Theology of the Body" but Mr. Anderson and Fr. Granados also reference Pope John Paul II's poetry, his plays, and his other major work on love (the real point of the "Theology of the Body"): Love & Responsibility. Mr. Anderson and Fr. Granados see that the "Theology of the Body" is not just the Wednesday Audiences of catechesis, but that this vision extends throughout the whole of Pope John Paul II's theology; it permeated everything he wrote. The "Theology of the Body" is the manner of understanding human sexuality and love in the light of Divine Love. Called to Love is then able to present a fuller view of Pope John Paul II's "Theology of the Body" based on the nature and meaning of love.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the true gospel, May 27, 2010

By 

Heidi Grether Inc. "Heidi Grether" (Pensacola, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Called to Love: Approaching John Paul II's Theology of the Body (Hardcover)

I started reading this book because a friend of mine had such a transformation in her life, going from promiscuous to joyfully chaste as a result of a slight study of Theology of the Body. Expecting a discourse on why we are not to have sex before marriage, I have been shocked at the journey God has me on to discovering His deep Father's love for all of us, and the dignity that love imbeds into my being.

This book is rich, deep, insightful, and poetic. The author uses amazing word pictures. I can see the gospel according to the yelling evangelists from the Protestant Church was not, in fact, the whole or true gospel.

We were brought forth to know HIm, to love Him, to be known by and loved by HIm. We got entangled in sin and Jesus Christ comes to free us from original sin to return us to Original Innocence, Solitude and Unity- all places of loving Him and being in AWE of His faithful care.

This is THE BOOK OF BOOKS if you wan to grow closer to Christ and those around your life.