What is the Theology of the Body?
It’s a term that’s often thrown around in Catholic circles. It sounds intriguing, and mysterious. Chastity, sex, and purity are terms that may come to mind when you hear “Theology of the Body.” But what is it, exactly?
Practically, the Theology of the Body is a series of 133 Wednesday audiences, or small lectures, given from St. Peter’s Square in Rome by Pope John Paul II between 1979 and 1984. During these talks, he defines a vision of the “whole man and whole mission to which he is called.” He calls it an “adequate anthropology,” or full story of humanity. Throughout history and up through modern times, man has questioned what it means to be human. We see this even today in the confusion in our culture about what marriage means. There’s a common misconception that it is a chastity or sex-ed program, or that it is just for young people. But the Theology of the Body is so much more.
Just a read through the introduction of the English translation by Michael Waldstein leaves you (at least, it did me) with an affirmation of the goodness and truth of this teaching. In my own study, after reading and reflecting on how John Paul II thoughtfully took in the secular philosophy, rejected what was incorrect, and wove it with the influence of John of the Cross and Church thought, I am truly convinced that the Theology of the Body is the work of the Holy Spirit through John Paul II, and an antidote to the questions the world is facing today.
The Theology of the Body is not only a study and catechesis, but a reflection and meditation as well. It is recommended that “one assumes a receptive posture as one slowly ponders a whole in its meaning; in analysis, one takes a more active role to resolve the whole into its principles and elements.” (Waldstein 17) I hope to always keep both these ends in mind as I continue this lifelong study myself.
And our culture needs this teaching so badly. In conversation with friends and family lately and observing our culture, regarding the nature of government and views on freedom and love, I am seeing on one hand a rejection of authority for the good of the person (essentially, a rejection of fatherhood), that helps to order life and culture rightly, and on the other hand, a rejection of the goodness of man and of the body, expressed in a desire to indulge, turn inward to find meaning only in oneself. This, as Waldstein observes, stems from the deep Cartesian and Kantian influences in our culture. John Paul II clarifies, with his deeply personal, Carmelite point of departure from these theories, that “to be a person is to stand in a relation of gift, To be a human person is to live as a body that offers a rich natural expression for the gift of self in spousal love.” (Waldstein 95) This trinitarian understanding of personhood is the antidote to help modern man understand himself, and then, how he can make a gift of himself. That can be done in many different ways, and looks differently depending on one’s state in life. For myself, it has brought significant meaning to life as a single person in the Church. Knowing how we are made, and what we are made for, we become clearer on how to live and what that gift of self should look like.
The Theology of the Body is for all people, for all of time. It’s an absolutely profound work, and while I hope you will eventually pick up the original work, there are many books and studies that break it down, in case the 600+ page complete work is overwhelming. The Theology of the Body Institute is one great place to start, and I hope on these pages to provide help and resources as well. Please reach out and let me know how I can help!