The Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae) [Paperback]

Pope John Paul II (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 5, 1995

Reaffirming the "greatness and inestimable value of human life," Pope John Paul II discusses in this encyclical letter the present-day legal, ethical, and moral threats to life.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Latin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

More from the Holy Father Letter to Families from Pope John Paul II Urges families to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to them and assures them of the Church's love and support. English: No. 793-6, 36 pp.; Spanish: No. 794-4, 36 pp. On the Family (Familiaris Consortio) Addresses the role of the family in society as a believing and evangelizing community, in dialogue with God and at the service of all people. No. 833-9, 93 pp. On the Hundredth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum (Centesimus Annus) Focuses on the state of economic systems throughout the world, commenting on capitalism and the demise of communism. No. 436-8, 116 pp. On Social Concern (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis) Commemorates the twentieth anniversary of Pope Paul VI's Populorum Progressio and reaffirms the continuity of the Church's teaching on social doctrine. No. 205-5, 104 pp. Redeemer of Man (Redemptor Hominis) Explores the relationship between the mystery of redemption in Jesus Christ and human dignity. No. 003-6, 100 pp.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: USCCB Publishing (May 5, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555863167
• ISBN-13: 978-1555863166
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #258,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Theology > Ethics

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best treatise on the sanctity of human life ever written, October 26, 2001

By 

Brian K Seeley - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae) (Paperback)

Let me just say that I love this document. I read it with a highlighter in hand just so I could highlight every beautiful line--there are many. Never have I seen the Catholic standpoint on abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment so succinctly and beautifully presented. This book is a must read for all Christians of all denominations. I can't begin to convey how great and life changing this book is--even if you already agree with everything in it about the present culture of death in the modern world. Pope John Paul shows himself to not only be an adept moral and theological thinker, but somewhat of a poet as well.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Evangilum Vitae - Very Informative, May 11, 2000

By 

J. Tompkins - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae) (Paperback)

The Gospel of Life is very informative, covering issues from fetal tissue research to abortion to euthanasia. It states clearly and concisely the Catholic Church's teachings on many of the life issues, and is helpful for understanding the reasoning behind them. Occasionally the wording makes it difficult to follow, but its message comes across loud and clear. Informative for Catholics and those of other religions alike.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Man is his Brother's Keeper, December 31, 2011

By 

Dr. Bojan Tunguz (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae) (Paperback)

Throughout his long tenure as the Supreme Pontiff, Pope John Paul II has been a tireless defender and advocate of the downtrodden, oppressed, and mistreated. This has especially been the case when it comes to the most severe form of oppression, the one where human beings are deprived even of life. In "The Gospel of Life" ("Evangelium vitae") John Paul II aims to give a coherent, assertive, and uncompromising account of the sacredness and inviolability of human life.

This is one of the most significant encyclicals of John Paul's pontificate. It builds on many of his other teachings, previous encyclicals, and "Of Human Life"("Humanae vitae") of Pope Paul VI. It spells out clearly what the Church has always proclaimed regarding the sanctity of the human life. It builds on the sacred Tradition, and gives numerous scriptural references that bolster its case. In particular, the encyclical makes a very strong case that at the heart of the Gospel proclamation is in fact the call for the fuller and more dignified life.

Today the human life is as precarious as it has been at any point in history. It is particularly sad to see it under the attack at its most vulnerable - in mother's womb and in the frailty of the old age. This is that much more outrageous when we know that the threats to the life at those stages are the most prominent in many of the highly developed countries. In many social circles life has become commoditized, and this attitude gives rise to what is rightly termed "the culture of death."

Many people who resort to evils of abortion and euthanasia do so out of weakness or fear, and do so under the duress of physical or psychological suffering. The Church fully empathizes with the personal struggles that those people are going through, but it can never condone intrinsically evil actions. This is something well worth emphasizing and reiterating.

The writing in this encyclical is thoughtful and far-reaching. This is a very well thought out extended argument for the sanctity of human life, and anyone who has an interest in such topic would greatly benefit from reading this encyclical. It is certainly destined to become a classic of Catholic thought.