Theology of the Body for Beginners
In keeping up with the cultural changes, this book has been revised and expanded three times. First released in 2004, second release in 2009, and the current release in 2018.
Divorce. Broken families. Sexual abuse. Pornography. Gender issues. Everywhere we look, we find more confusion about the fundamental truths of human life. As we lose our basic understanding of the meanings of man, woman, marriage, and sex, the question becomes ever more urgent: What does it mean to be a human being?
Theology of the Body for Beginners is a concise introduction to the answer to that question. Using simple, everyday language, Christopher West lays a foundation for understanding the basics of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, making his profound teachings on human sexuality easy to grasp and apply in our lives. You will discover a deeper understanding of your role in your family and in society, learn how to better love and be loved by your spouse or future spouse, and gain new insights on how to respond with clarity and compassion to hot-button issues on sexuality. This updated, revised edition of the original includes new insights from West’s own research in addition to wisdom from Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.
“In a culture still haunted by Gnosticism, where a wedge is so often placed between matter and spirit, soul and body, leading to distortions in our understanding of the human person, Saint John Paul II’s Theology of the Body is both much needed and prophetic. I’m grateful to Christopher West for making these teachings accessible to a general audience. This book offers a clear, succinct presentation of Saint John Paul II’s important ideas and is a helpful and necessary resource for catechists, evangelists, indeed all people.” — Bishop Robert Barron
Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, Founder of Word on Fire Ministries