Theology of the Body

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Pope_Noah_I

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I come as someone speaking out of complete ignorance who is looking for knowledge, so please don’t take any of this as being derogatory towards John Paul II. Theology of the Body. I’ve heard so much about it, that it revolutionizes every section of the Creed, that it is the greatest theological composition since Summa Theologica, and that John Paul II is the new St. Thomas Aquinas. I hear things like “Oh, you simply must read TOB, it’s so…liberating!” I don’t get it. How is that after 1,949 years of organic development, great theologians, and Doctors of the Church, one man comes along and revolutionizes everything we know about Christianity? Also, some of the sentiments apparently expressed in TOB, i.e. “the marital-embrace is the greatest way, next to the Mass, to fight the devil.”, fly in opposition to statements made by St. Athanasius, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. Theresa of Avila, who are all, I believe, Doctors of the Church.
 
I’m not sure how it flies in the face of any prewritten materials. I think the reason it is so profound is the deep penetrating insight he has about human sexuality, the purpose of our bodies, and the purpose of our lives. And gives deep deep meaning and purpose to our celibate leaders.

Please, dedicate yourself to reading it. It will blow you away.
 
dawnlewis said:
I’m not sure how it flies in the face of any prewritten materials. I think the reason it is so profound is the deep penetrating insight he has about human sexuality, the purpose of our bodies, and the purpose of our lives. And gives deep deep meaning and purpose to our celibate leaders.

Please, dedicate yourself to reading it. It will blow you away.
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There are two ways in life. One is ordinary and worldly, that is marriage; the other one is angelic and a higher one, that is celibacy. If someone chooses the worldly way — marriage — he will not be censured, but he will not receive the same gifts. However, he will receive some of them, because he brings the thirty-fold fruit. But if one chooses a glorious way which is high above the world he will receive more wonderful gifts, though this way is more mournful and difficult than the first one: because he has brought a perfect and hundred-fold fruit."
  • St. Athanasius
*"those seeking the life of the spirit should be cheerful and free, and not neglect recreation. Married people must act in conformity with their vocation—but their progress will of necessity be but the pace of a hen.” *
  • St. Theresa of Avila
You can see what I mean.
 
Pope_Noah_I said:
Also, some of the sentiments apparently expressed in TOB, i.e. “the marital-embrace is the greatest way, next to the Mass, to fight the devil.”, fly in opposition to statements made by St. Athanasius, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. Theresa of Avila, who are all, I believe, Doctors of the Church.
Click to expand...
Could you please link that quote to one of our late Holy Father’s 129 talks? I am not familiar with it.
 
Well a quote of a quote of a quote does nothing for me. What the folks on that page have a problem with is apparently Christopher West and his presentation of TOB.

While West’s style might be abhorrent to some people, he is not the only expert on TOB, nor the highest. Sadly the most expert on TOB is now deceased. West’s style is an “intro” version specifically catering to it’s application to married people. I like him, but I do disagree with some of his philosophies as a theologian.

The basic message that Pope John Paull II is saying in that so badly misconstrued quote was that a renewal of marital vows is a powerful weapon against the enemy. The married renew their vows through the marital embrace. The celibate renew their marital vows to the Church through many more avenues.

JP2 said that celibacy is a higher form of marriage than an earthly one. Please study his actual writings not someone’s misinterpretation of a random quote with no context.
 
Here is a link to the actual talks. Chew and digest slowly. It is a whole lot to take in. ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2TBIND.HTM

What TOB is based on is really embracing authentic Church teaching that our body is not just a vehicle for the soul. What our Holy Father speaks about sexuality is a very intimate topic and most certainly appropriate for discussion in sacred locations.

He speaks of consummation. He is showing that it is what is done in marriage, in Communion, and as Jesus said Himself, what was accomplished on the Cross. “It is consummated” were His words in the Douay-Rimes translation.

The message inherent to our sexuality is a very strong support and defense of the all-male priesthood. JP2 says that our sexuality is always present and part of all we do. When I pray, I pray as a woman. When I roll on the floor with my son I do so as his *mother, *never as his father. No matter how much society has tried to decide that the “roles” of men and women are interchangeable, JP2 says they aren’t. His theology is a clear and reasonable view of why Church teaching is not going to change on any and all things dealing with masculine and feminine.

I hope that helps. TOB is not revolutionary in its content. It is revolutionary in that he is tying ALL of the amazing teaching through history together. TOB catches up all of the former loose ends.
 
John Paul is not the next St. Thomas Aquinas such a claim stems from the typical emotionalism associated with his movement.
 
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