The Theology of the Body Human Love in the Divine Plan (Parish Resources) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Theology of the Body contains talks given by John Paul II in which he discusses the bodily dimension of human personhood, sexuality, and marriage in the light of biblical revelation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Pauline Books & Media (November 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0819873942
• ISBN-13: 978-0819873941
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #323,248 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The fruit of this work has yet to be discovered, December 17, 2002

By	Marcel LeJeune "Marcel LeJeune" (Lubbock, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Pope John Paul II has given us one of the best (if not the best) books of modern theology today. This book is a compilation of many weekly addresses the Pope gave in the early 80's. Now compiled into this one work, we can view the absolute genius of the mind of Pope JPII. His insights into humanity, creation, the human person and the body are without equal. In fact, he may be known for this work more than any other when history judges him in the future. He has given the Church new insights into the dignity of the human person, marriage,... and made it challenging to all of us.

If you haven't read any of the Pope's writings, I suggest you start with his encyclicals, and study them hard, before jumping into this work. The Theology of the Body has already started several grass-roots evangelism projects and my guess is that we are only starting to see the fruit this book will bear.

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What human love was meant to be., April 4, 2000

By	Tim Drake "Author and Journalist" (Saint Joseph, Minnesota) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Each Wednesday the Pope addresses a general audience at St. Peter's in Rome. This work brilliantly brings together all of Pope John Paul II's general audiences that comprise his "theology of the body."

Given between September 1979 and November 1984, these talks provide a thorough catechesis on the bodily dimension of human personhood, sexuality, and marriage in the ligh to Christ and biblical revelation.

As a whole, the work presents an insightful look at the meaning of the body. It is a much needed work for our troubled times. The appendix features the Encyclicals Humanae Vitae (Of Human Life) and Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), and the Apostolic Letter On the Dignity and Vocation of Women.

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A philosophical masterpiece and a "Theological Time Bomb", August 29, 2002

By	Derrik Mantel (Maplewood, MN USA) - See all my reviews

The Theology of the Body is comparable in depth of thought to the works of Augustine and Aquinas.

The writings speak to a reader at numerous levels: the personal, the organizational, global, sacramental, familial, paternal, maternal, fraternal, vocational, scriptural, anthropological and many others. The beauty is the integration of teachings at and across each level!

The teachings encapsulated within this work synthesize many truths about humanity and Catholic Christianity.

The book's writings shed light on the fullness of Truth revealed in and over the fullness of time. What was implied in the truth of the Gospel is revealed in a more explicit way in the Pope's analysis.

Topics of interest include: the dignity of the human person, the human body in art versus pornography, the intended relationship between man and woman from the beginning - in the present - and future, what the physical human body reveals about the nature of the person and God, the call to Chastity and Modesty, the universal call to holiness, the mystery of Body of Christ, the mystery of the priesthood, celibacy, and the mystery of the Eucharist and much, much more.

The book is a difficult read if you are not familiar with the Pope's method... but well worth it!!