Theology Of The Body For Beginners [Paperback]

Christopher West (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2004

According to Pope John Paul II, if we live according to the true meaning of our sexuality, we "fulfill the very meaning of [our] being and existence." The human body is a "theology" because it is meant to be a sign of God's own life and love in the world. With clarity and precision, Christopher West unpacks John Paul II's Theology of the Body, translating it into a language everyone can understand.

Theology of the Body for Beginners explores the profound interconnections between sex and the deepest questions of human existence, including:

What is the meaning of life?
Why did God create us male and female?
How do we attain true happiness on earth?
What kind of joys await us in heaven?
Why is there evil in the world and how do we overcome it?
How can we experience the love we long for in the depth of our hearts?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Christopher West is widely recognized for his work popularizing John Paul II's theology of the body. His books (Good News About Sex & Marriage and Theology of the Body Explained), extensive lecturing, and numerous tapes have sparked an international groundswell of interest in the subject. Christopher teaches the theology of the body at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver, the Institute of Priestly Formation in Omaha, and at the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family in Melbourne, Australia. He and his wife Wendy live in Pennsylvania with their three children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 151 pages
• Publisher: Ascension Press (June 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932645349
• ISBN-13: 978-1932645347
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #300,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Christopher West is widely recognized for his work popularizing John Paul II's theology of the body. His books (Good News About Sex & Marriage and Theology of the Body Explained), extensive lecturing, and numerous tapes have sparked an international groundswell of interest in the subject. Christopher teaches the theology of the body at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver, the Institute of Priestly Formation in Omaha, and at the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family in Melbourne, Australia. He and his wife Wendy live in Pennsylvania with their three children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good basic explanation, August 30, 2004

By 

Susan Ross (Augusta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Theology Of The Body For Beginners (Paperback)

This book illustrates one of the reasons I have come to respect Christopher West so much. He has the gift of making this beautiful teaching from John Paul II accessible to the common person. I have read John Paul's original audiences and West's Theology of the Body explained, as well as several other books on this topic. For a simple, easy to read explanation that includes a fair attempt to convey all the important points, this is the best I have read so far. It has a very useful glossary at the end of the book that provides helpful definitions which also serve as summary points for the chapters, as well as a resource section to help with further study. I plan to use this book as a textbook to teach upper high school students this material.
If you are looking for an more in-depth explanation of the Theology of the Body, I would recommend West's TOTB Explained.
I like it better than West's Good News about Sex and Marriage, because it gives a more well-rounded explanation of the other issues covered by John Paul's original talks. It is not so narrowly focused on marriage and sexuality.
I think TOTB for Beginners is a good general introduction to the topic, and the best book to buy if you are looking for something simple and easy to digest.

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Theology of the Body: Everyone in the world should read this book!, August 2, 2005

By 

Casey L. Truelove (Traverse City, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Theology Of The Body For Beginners (Paperback)

Do you want to know how to love and be really loved by your spouse or future spouse? How does your body relate to that? What is sex for? Why did God make it? Believe it or not, the Church says that sex is a good thing - a really good thing - if it's done the way God intended it. Read this book (especially with your spouse or potential future spouse) to strengthen your relationship and/or understand what the Church teaches. Christopher West does an amazing job of describing John Paul II's teaching on human sexuality! Like my title says, I think everyone in the world should read this book. If people could understand the REAL way to have sex and how to fully express themselves, our world would be a better place.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great tool for understanding the true meaning of your body!, November 9, 2006

By 

N. Hellerstedt "Ave Maria" (Austin, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Theology Of The Body For Beginners (Paperback)

Christopher West does a wonderful job explaining the "Theology of the Body" in terms that are easy to understand while still capturing the reverence and gravity of a concept revealed through Pope John Paul II. We live in an age of instant gratification and utilitarianism; this book is a helpful tool for exposing what God has always intended for humanity.
This book is a great start in educating yourself on Theology of the Body.