Overview

The sexual revolution brought a terribly distorted vision of the body and sex into the mainstream. How should Christians respond? With his illuminating Theology of the Body, Pope John Paul II challenged the modern world not to stop at the surface, but to enter the depth of the “great mystery” that the body and sex reveal: a mystery that lies at the heart of the Gospel itself. Since he first discovered John Paul II’s teaching in 1993, Christopher West has devoted himself to sharing its life-transforming message with the world. In this highly anticipated work, West leads us into the depth of Christ’s “nuptial union” with the Church, demonstrating how authentic Catholic teaching on the body and sex saves us from both the libertine perspective of popular culture and the cold puritanism that has sometimes infected Christianity. In the process, West provides a blueprint for reaching our sexually broken world in the “new evangelization.”

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9780307987112

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Reviews

The light of the Gospel, which is a clear but at times painful light, can illumine human sexuality to its very depth in order to transform it and bring it to its full beauty. Here lies the great strength of Blessed John Paul II's Theology of the Body . In this peaceful and positive response to critics, Christopher West proves once again that he is a faithful and inspiring interpreter and communicator of this great pope's teaching, a teaching so urgently needed for an effective proclamation of the Gospel. --Christoph Cardinal Schonborn, cardinal archbishop of Vienna; general editor, Catechism of the Catholic Church ; and grand chancellor, International Theological Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family

The light of the Gospel, which is a clear but at times painful light, can illumine human sexuality to its very depth in order to transform it and bring it to its full beauty. Here lies the great strength of Blessed John Paul II's Theology of the Body. In this peaceful and positive response to critics, Christopher West proves once again that he is a faithful and inspiring interpreter and communicator of this great pope's teaching, a teaching so urgently needed for an effective proclamation of the Gospel. --Christoph Cardinal Schonborn, cardinal archbishop of Vienna; general editor, Catechism of the Catholic Church; and grand chancellor, International Theological Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family Christopher West is to be commended for the courage and strength of conviction with which he proclaims, upholds, and defends the spousal vision of the Church, particularly as it's articulated in John Paul II's Theology of the Body. It's with great enthusiasm as his diocesan bishop that I endorse this magnificent book and recommend it to a wide, wide readership. - Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden, Bishop of Harrisburg, Chairman, USCCB Committee on Catholic Education Inspiring, compelling, faithful and compassionate - At the Heart of the Gospel invites us to follow in the footsteps of Blessed John Paul II as authentic witnesses of the truth and beauty of the Gospel amid the many challenges of contemporary culture. A must read for everyone involved in the new evangelization! - Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Chairman, USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth Christopher West has gone to the desert ... and come back stronger than ever. Those who may previously have thought his work was one-sided in its celebration of the body and sexuality will find here, brought out more clearly than ever, the deep balance and integration that has always been the foundation of his work. - Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of Saint Louis, Chairman, USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations As a former professor of West's, I may be biased in his favor, but I can honestly say that he has taught me a great deal through this magnificently developed and theologically sound work. His balanced and insightful analyses make it clear that West has immersed himself in the great mystics, Fathers, and doctors of the Church. His treatment of a delicate question of foreplay by married couples is perhaps the finest I have ever read. In short, this is a magnificent theological work that ought to be widely read by all interested in the Theology of the Body and the new evangelization. - William E. May, Emeritus Michael J. McGivney Professor of Moral Theology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at The Catholic University of America. West's highly anticipated work At the Heart of the Gospel is in keeping with the man I have come to know and respect since our close collaboration on the new English translation of TOB. In short, this balanced and judicious work demonstrates what I have long understood: West knows John Paul II's TOB as few others do and he shows great theological skill in presenting, explaining, and upholding the late Pope's teaching. He grasps its letter with remarkable completeness and is led faithfully by its spirit. He is to be commended for his courage in defending John Paul II's teaching (and the theological tradition upon which it's based) in the face of strong opposition. - Michael Waldstein, Max Seckler Professor of Theology, Ave Maria University The beatification of Pope John Paul II is more than the Church's official recognition of his sanctity. John Paul II's teaching is now bequeathed to the Church in a new way - not only by his authority as Pope, but also by his personal experience of sanctity. Christopher West is an authentic witness to the transformative power of John Paul II's teaching and this book accurately captures the meaning of his Theology of the Body and its critical importance for the new evangelization. - Monsignor Lorenzo Albacete, Theologian, Author, and Founding Professor of the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, Washington D.C. Why should you read this book? Because Christopher West is the translator of Pope John Paul the Great's Theology of the Body into clear, simple, popular language; and the Theology of the Body is the Church's answer to the great heresy of our time, the Sexual Revolution ; and the Sexual Revolution is the main cause of the corruption and decline of marriage and the family; and the family is the primary key to the health of any civilization; and our civilization is already half way to Brave New World. At the Heart of the Gospel provides the alternative. - Peter Kreeft, Professor of Philosophy, Boston College If complacency in the Church is a sleeping lion, then one can expect many swipes of the paw at the work of Christopher West. At the Heart of the Gospel compellingly demonstrates the truth of the matter: West is bringing fresh grace to both the Church and the wider culture. With the wisdom born of trial and the humble acceptance of his own poverty, West targets our aching need and directs us to healing with surgical precision. His proclamation of the Gospel is joyous, contemporary, and contagious! Onward Christopher, we are listening! - Anne, a lay apostleDirection for Our Times; Author, Lessons in Love At the Heart of the Gospel presents the wisdom and knowledge of an evangelist who's been on the front lines for nearly twenty years. With great humility, clarity and charity, Christopher West unpacks the life-giving teachings of the Catholic Church on what Blessed John Paul II considered the most pressing issue of our day - what it means to be a person made in God's image as male and female - and teaches us how to communicate this life-saving truth to a world starving for love. - Matthew Pinto, President, Ascension Press Christopher West is a pioneer in reaching today's culture with the Gospel. - Father Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. The light of the Gospel, which is a clear but at times painful light, can illumine human sexuality to its very depth in order to transform it and bring it to its full beauty. Here lies the great strength of Blessed John Paul II s Theology of the Body. In this peaceful and positive response to critics, Christopher West proves once again that he is a faithful and inspiring interpreter and communicator of this great pope s teaching, a teaching so urgently needed for an effective proclamation of the Gospel. Christoph Cardinal Schonborn, cardinal archbishop of Vienna; general editor, Catechism of the Catholic Church ; and grand chancellor, International Theological Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family Christopher West is to be commended for the courage and strength of conviction with which he proclaims, upholds, and defends the spousal vision of the Church, particularly as it s articulated in John Paul II s Theology of the Body. It s with great enthusiasm as his diocesan bishop that I endorse this magnificent book and recommend it to a wide, wide readership. - Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden, Bishop of Harrisburg, Chairman, USCCB Committee on Catholic Education Inspiring, compelling, faithful and compassionate At the Heart of the Gospel invites us to follow in the footsteps of Blessed John Paul II as authentic witnesses of the truth and beauty of the Gospel amid the many challenges of contemporary culture. A must read for everyone involved in the new evangelization! - Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Chairman, USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth Christopher West has gone to the desert and come back stronger than ever. Those who may previously have thought his work was one-sided in its celebration of the body and sexuality will find here, brought out more clearly than ever, the deep balance and integration that has always been the foundation of his work. - Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of Saint Louis, Chairman, USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations As a former professor of West s, I may be biased in his favor, but I can honestly say that he has taught me a great deal through this magnificently developed and theologically sound work. His balanced and insightful analyses make it clear that West has immersed himself in the great mystics, Fathers, and doctors of the Church. His treatment of a delicate question of foreplay by married couples is perhaps the finest I have ever read. In short, this is a magnificent theological work that ought to be widely read by all interested in the Theology of the Body and the new evangelization. - William E. May, Emeritus Michael J. McGivney Professor of Moral Theology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at The Catholic University of America. West s highly anticipated work At the Heart of the Gospel is in keeping with the man I have come to know and respect since our close collaboration on the new English translation of TOB. In short, this balanced and judicious work demonstrates what I have long understood: West knows John Paul II s TOB as few others do and he shows great theological skill in presenting, explaining, and upholding the late Pope s teaching. He grasps its letter with remarkable completeness and is led faithfully by its spirit. He is to be commended for his courage in defending John Paul II s teaching (and the theological tradition upon which it s based) in the face of strong opposition. - Michael Waldstein, Max Seckler Professor of Theology, Ave Maria University The beatification of Pope John Paul II is more than the Church s official recognition of his sanctity. John Paul II s teaching is now bequeathed to the Church in a new way not only by his authority as Pope, but also by his personal experience of sanctity. Christopher West is an authentic witness to the transformative power of John Paul II s teaching and this book accurately captures the meaning of his Theology of the Body and its critical importance for the new evangelization. - Monsignor Lorenzo Albacete, Theologian, Author, and Founding Professor of the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, Washington D.C. Why should you read this book? Because Christopher West is the translator of Pope John Paul the Great s Theology of the Body into clear, simple, popular language; and the Theology of the Body is the Church s answer to the great heresy of our time, the Sexual Revolution; and the Sexual Revolution is the main cause of the corruption and decline of marriage and the family; and the family is the primary key to the health of any civilization; and our civilization is already half way to Brave New World. At the Heart of the Gospel provides the alternative. - Peter Kreeft, Professor of Philosophy, Boston College If complacency in the Church is a sleeping lion, then one can expect many swipes of the paw at the work of Christopher West. At the Heart of the Gospel compellingly demonstrates the truth of the matter: West is bringing fresh grace to both the Church and the wider culture. With the wisdom born of trial and the humble acceptance of his own poverty, West targets our aching need and directs us to healing with surgical precision. His proclamation of the Gospel is joyous, contemporary, and contagious! Onward Christopher, we are listening! - Anne, a lay apostleDirection for Our Times; Author, Lessons in Love At the Heart of the Gospel presents the wisdom and knowledge of an evangelist who s been on the front lines for nearly twenty years. With great humility, clarity and charity, Christopher West unpacks the life-giving teachings of the Catholic Church on what Blessed John Paul II considered the most pressing issue of our day what it means to be a person made in God s image as male and female and teaches us how tocommunicate this life-saving truthto a world starving for love. - Matthew Pinto, President, Ascension Press Christopher West is a pioneer in reaching today s culture with the Gospel. - Father Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.

The light of the Gospel, which is a clear but at times painful light, can illumine human sexuality to its very depth in order to transform it and bring it to its full beauty. Here lies the great strength of Blessed John Paul II's Theology of the Body. In this peaceful and positive response to critics, Christopher West proves once again that he is a faithful and inspiring interpreter and communicator of this great pope's teaching, a teaching so urgently needed for an effective proclamation of the Gospel. --Christoph Cardinal Schonborn, cardinal archbishop of Vienna; general editor, Catechism of the Catholic Church ; and grand chancellor, International Theological Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family Christopher West is to be commended for the courage and strength of conviction with which he proclaims, upholds, and defends the spousal vision of the Church, particularly as it's articulated in John Paul II's Theology of the Body. It's with great enthusiasm as his diocesan bishop that I endorse this magnificent book and recommend it to a wide, wide readership. - Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden, Bishop of Harrisburg, Chairman, USCCB Committee on Catholic Education Inspiring, compelling, faithful and compassionate - At the Heart of the Gospel invites us to follow in the footsteps of Blessed John Paul II as authentic witnesses of the truth and beauty of the Gospel amid the many challenges of contemporary culture. A must read for everyone involved in the new evangelization! - Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Chairman, USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth Christopher West has gone to the desert ... and come back stronger than ever. Those who may previously have thought his work was one-sided in its celebration of the body and sexuality will find here, brought out more clearly than ever, the deep balance and integration that has always been the foundation of his work. - Mosts

Author Information

Christopher West is recognized around the globe for his work teaching and promoting John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. He serves as a research fellow and faculty member of the Theology of the Body Institute near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is the founder of the Cor Project, a global outreach devoted to cultural renewal through the “new evangelization.” He and his wife, Wendy, have five children and live near Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

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