Theology of the Body

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I would say that many Catholics who dislike The “Theology of the Body” fall into a couple distinct groups. These groups are not mutually exclusive, a person can be a member of one or all of these groups.
  • They dislike it because they strongly dislike the author, Pope John Paul II.
  • They dislike it because they do not really know and/or care what it says.
  • They dislike it because they feel more comfortable with legalism.
  • They dislike it because they (mistakenly) think it gives license to sexual immorality.
  • They dislike it because the fail to realize it is a way of looking at the world, not new doctrine.
  • They dislike it because they (mistakenly) think they are required to believe it, rather than use it a way of looking at the world, the Law of God, ourselves and our desire to do His will and follow His commandments.
    Of course these are just my own opinions. I am sure those who dislike the teaching will try to “teach” me a few things now.
 
I understand everything I have heard about it and find it very fascinating and it has changed the way I look at sex and marriage, but I don’t get the part about why nakedness in art is okay but nakedness on real people in the public square isn’t okay. Not that I’m saying the art is bad or that I want to go naked in public. I just don’t get it. If anyone can enlighten me on that, I’m all ears.

I do believe that if we have a better appreciation of the human body and what it was created for, we won’t be so easily led into mortal sins that only serve to degrade God’s creation. If everyone believed in the TOB beyond a shadow of a doubt, there would be little if any contraception, abortion, extra-marital affairs, etc. And I think that was the late JPII’s thinking too.
 
I think the thing with art is that it’s meant to show the beauty of things. So when you have a naked person in art (at least in most art), it isn’t to be lustful or get extra attention, but just to show the loveliness of the body, which was created by God in His image. People who usually go to art museums and spend time looking at these pictures usually appreciate this.

In the general public, though, there are people who would be looking at the naked body in a sinful fashion, plus the motives of the person being naked would be questionable. Are they prideful and looking for attention or are they being rebellious by breaking the rules?

That’s my guess, anyway. :idea:

❤️
 
MariaGorettiGrl said:
God made our bodies in His image. Our bodies are temples. We hold inside ourselves Christ’s body and the Holy Spirit! God gave us attraction to one another and gave us sex. Just like anything else in this world, our bodies can be used in a good and holy way or in a bad and sinful way. JP2 was helping us to know how to use our bodies in the way that is most pleasing to God.

❤️
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Well, since you put it THAT way…👍
 
MariaGorettiGrl said:
I think the thing with art is that it’s meant to show the beauty of things. So when you have a naked person in art (at least in most art), it isn’t to be lustful or get extra attention, but just to show the loveliness of the body, which was created by God in His image. People who usually go to art museums and spend time looking at these pictures usually appreciate this.

In the general public, though, there are people who would be looking at the naked body in a sinful fashion, plus the motives of the person being naked would be questionable. Are they prideful and looking for attention or are they being rebellious by breaking the rules?

That’s my guess, anyway. :idea:

❤️
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Nice explanation. I shared TOB with a Mormon friend and he loved the beauty of it.
 
I didn’t vote, but have studied the subject. I think Pope John Paul the Great was simple restating and expanding upon teachings of the church through many centuries.
 
I have some interest in reading about TOtB, buit if it leads to this, then forget it:
Fr. Toracco quoted in the Remnant:
(ooo-WEEEE-eee-ooooooooo in the orig. Remnant article)

As in mysticism, detachment, purification, and the cultivation of stillness in the way of life of SPICE (an acronym standing for Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Communicative, and Emotional – the multidimensional nature of true sexual interaction, sexual wholeness for men and women) are fundamental for focusing the person’s gaze on God. The one difference between what is known as mysticism and the spirituality of charting is that, while the mystic seeks a freeing from the concerns of bodily life, like Pope John Paul II’s theology of the body, the spirituality of charting begins with the body, specifically fertility itself. In this way, *the spirituality of charting is a new kind of mysticism… *It has the potential to prepare husband and wife for the transformational experience of the Gospel of Life…. T]he new Incarnational mysticism of charting shares in traditional mysticism’s uniqueness in the prominence it gives to the notion of union over that of absorption…. In the mysticism of charting the mystical relationship is thus a truly personal relationship between husband and wife and the Triunely personal Creator.

In a nutshell, the mysticism of charting is the mystical experience of being temples of the Holy Spirit, of being caught up in the nuptial encounter between Christ, the New Adam, and Mary, the Second Eve. As practitioners of natural fertility care can testify, the mysticism of charting is a powerful means of evangelization. {ooo-WEEEE-eee-ooooooooo}
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Mark Wyatt
www.veritas-catholic.blogspot.com
 
Isn’t this just a whole lot clearer?
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I totally agree.

& Some people don’t like TOB because . . .
  • It leads to public discussion of things that shouldn’t be taken out of the bedroom.
 
It leads to public discussion of things that shouldn’t be taken out of the bedroom.
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Wait just a minute! Are we Catholics YET AGAIN talking about…SEX?!? :bigyikes:

❤️
 
Father Thomas Loya discusses Theology of the Body every Thursday morning on Relevant Radio. He does a great job of explaining how it relates to our everyday life, discussing the interactions between men and women, how to use it to help raise our kids and give them a better understanding of the roles and “hard-wiring” of men and women, etc. I went to hear Father Loya’s presentation on Theology of the Body at a nearby parish, and I was really impressed with his clear explanations.
 
Original:LittleMother
  • It leads to public discussion of things that shouldn’t be taken out of the bedroom.
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Suggested reading for those who disagree w/ my above statement:
“Man Woman and the Meaning of Love” by Dietrich Von Hildebrand.
 
It leads to public discussion of things that shouldn’t be taken out of the bedroom.
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There is a time and place for everything. However people do need to be taught.

A parent shouldn’t tell their child about their sexual relations with their spouse. But when a child begins maturing, it is a parents’ job to teach their child about sex.

JP2 is not “bringing things out of the bedroom” as casual chat. He’s teaching us, his children, about our God given gifts and how to use them. I’m sure Dietrich Von Hildebrand is trying to teach in the same way: not to make sex public discussion, but to teach about God’s gift.

❤️
 
gallo said:
Haven’t read all of the actual TOB, but studied Christopher West’s explanations. It’s pretty basic at times, unlike the original Theology of the Body. We need it especially considering all of the ridiculous garbage that mainstream media is presenting us.
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I recently attended 2 TOB seminars and have read C. West’s book Good News about Sex and Marriage. His TOB for Beginners is also wonderful. If you don’t like to read, his DVD’s are great, although maybe his manner is sometimes a bit, ah, exitable, but he’s enthused about the material/subject, that’s apparent! There are audio CD’s out, too. Try this web site, theologyofthebody.net/

I have the leader’s book for TOB for Teens and that might be a good one to get since it contains many stories, explanations, and an index for further reading. Movie clips are included (you have to go get the movie : )) to stimulate thought/discussion.

I may just end up teaching this some day in our parish. I think this is God’s answer/solution for humanity to the so-called “sexual revolution” of the '60’s. Look where it’s gotten us - we need this or our society will perish due to too much abortion and STI’s (which are getting more widespread and developing more resistant strains).

God bless,
Mimi
 
MariaGorettiGrl said:
There is a time and place for everything. However people do need to be taught.

A parent shouldn’t tell their child about their sexual relations with their spouse. But when a child begins maturing, it is a parents’ job to teach their child about sex.

JP2 is not “bringing things out of the bedroom” as casual chat. He’s teaching us, his children, about our God given gifts and how to use them. I’m sure Dietrich Von Hildebrand is trying to teach in the same way: not to make sex public discussion, but to teach about God’s gift.
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TOB can be (and, I believe, WILL be) taught on many different levels. Those who are engaged to be married can begin by praying together and respecting the dignity of the beloved by sacrificing physical intimacy until marriage. TOB teaches that true love means we will have to sacrifice for our spouse, as Christ sacrificed for his Bride, the CHurch. Those couples who practice self control will then be better prepared to practice NFP, as it is not a problem to abstain for 8 days in each month. This is counter to the worldly view that you should not deny any lustful inclination, sex before marriage is considered common, and ABC (artificial birth control) is a necessity.

That’s only a tiny part of it, of course.

Parents can teach TOB to their children by helping them see the inherent dignity of each human being, that marriage is special and a sacrament, and by living that out in our daily lives. A good book to read girls is The Princess and the Kiss; for boys, The Squire and the Scroll. Chastity is learned little by little, and as the children develop, they will hopefully have learned that it is God’s Plan for them to wait until marriage. Or, to discern if marriage or a religious vocation is for them.

IMO, TOB makes much of scripture easier to understand, makes the Mass relevant, and will be the catalyst for a new sexual Counter-revolution (if people decide to accept it, and I pray they will, not only Catholics).

God bless,
Mimi
 
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