Theology of the Body for Beginners: A Basic Introduction to Pope John Paul II's Sexual Revolution, Revised Edition

Y'all. I was SKEPTICAL of this book when I first purchased it. I am not catholic, nor do I know too much about the catholic religion. I bought it because 3 people recommended it to me and when 3 people recommend something you should probably do it. I honestly had to google some terms that most people would laugh at. A sacrament? I didn't know what that was. The Catechism? Nope. But that is besides the point.I have made some mistakes in my past relationships, I am nowhere near perfect but I was raised in a home that understands grace and understands how deeply the Father loves me. I (wrongly) expected this book to be condemning. I expected it to be judgmental and to turn me away from what it was saying. That is not what I experienced. I experienced an author coming from a place of love and boldness. An author without fear of pleasing people and a desire to break down the bible to it's very truths.This book is REAL. It's raw, it hits the tough stuff. This book challenged everything society has taught me and forever shaped the way I view sex and relationships. I started this book thinking "I want a marriage that makes me happy and NO I do NOT want kids" and I finished by praying the Lord would lead me to a relationship that is deeper than happiness, to a relationship that glorifies the Lord and I understand that, Lord willing, I will have children (and I will raise them to serve the Lord and to serve the people around them).I highly recommend this book to ANYONE and EVERYONE (married, single, divorced, walking off the path with the Lord, in high school, out of college...everyone) who is mature enough to discuss sex and relationships. Parents, read this with your teenage children. Discuss what it means, and be ready to have some tough conversations that will shape your child's future. I wish my parents had been willing to do that with me.

Wow. I wish this book had been available when I was in high school (78-82)! What grief it could have saved me and what joy and direction it may have given me... but enough “if only” talk.I am simply amazed by this book and the greater work which it is trying to explain. I tried a few times to assimilate parts of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body but could not grasp it. Now that I’ve taken time to go through Christopher West’s book, the workbook and the DVD’s with some other folks at my Church, I can say that I’m ready to dig even deeper.But let me be clear: this work, introduction that it is, is mind blowing and beautiful and enough to chew on for weeks and perhaps years. Implementing the truths it reveals is a life long task.I take the challenge very seriously to bring this new evangelization to those who want to chat about it... and very few people I know refuse to talk about sex. In fact, many are hungry to talk about it in a meaningful way as our culture increasingly does the opposite. Being open and unafraid to converse on all these subjects is the gift that this book has given me. I assume that as I dig deeper into the actual text of Papa John, (St. John Paul II) I will be even more awestruck and less able to contain my enthusiasm. Looking forward to it all!!

"Theology of the Body for a beginner" is a great book that summarized the full Theology of the Body written by Pope John Paul II. The content of the book is based on Roman Catholic theology. However, although I myself is reformed theologian, I think Pope John Paul II provide great biblical insights on human sexuality which can provide us helpful thoughts on current sexual revolution movements of our time. It is really easy book to read as well so if you want to know Roman Catholic stand on human sexuality, you will gain good insights from it.

If you ever want to read a book to help you understand the Catholic beliefs and values of the human body in its gender and sexuality, read this one. It is a faithful primer of John Paul II's challenging opus. Every young person should study this before they engage in serious dating. Every adult Catholic should read it to help them answer challenges to the Faith's doctrine.

This is a clear, concise review of St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body. I'm too old to benefit on a practical level, but it's a must for anyone who takes marriage seriously, is living in a troubled marriage, plans to marry, or is influential on any of these categories. If you are not familiar with this work, you are in for a description of marriage more beautiful than I have words to describe. It also puts to rest generations of misunderstanding about what a woman's "submissiveness" to a husband means and does not mean. This clarification is, of course, long overdue. If this sounds good to you, you can also consult the former Pope's book Sex and Responsibility.

I started reading the English translation for Theology of the Body (TOB) and the read was slow because of the complexity of the material. I then read a review suggesting to start with this book. I agree this is a great place to start.This book should be a MUST read for every high school student, every young couple, every couple who is just married (or about to be), and everyone else who just wants to understand WHY we are here and the purpose for sexual relations.It had made my return to TOB more understandable.

I am using this in a study group at Church. Chris West provides an easy to read commentary on the teachings and addresses of John Paul II and The Theology of the Body and the sexual revolution. Each chapter provides a great deal for reflection on love and sex and how we are destined to share in God's comm-union of love. It is powerful read on love and marriage and worthy for any couple preparing for marriage or those married for many years.

I marked this product down because it didn't arrive in the specified time and I thought it was lost, it did arrive 2 days after the latest delivery date, the book itself appears to me to be challenging and is new.

People who worry that priests are out of touch with sexuality because they're celibate are simply wrong.Read the book, and have your eyes opened!And AMAZON: how about paying some UK tax? I'll keep buying from Waterstones for the time being.

West's book takes us through territory we though familiar, but showing the reader many insights that were fresh and exciting.The references to the late Pope are acknowledging the spring board for his thinking. This does not mean that it is heavy with references and footnotes - all of that is to be found elsewhere among West's works. This is a light and engaging book on an urgent and important topic to help everyone (not just Roman Catholics) develop their thinking.

It is an amazing book and the author Christopher West is really a gift of God to our modern days!Everyone should read it and we would see how God is not against us, or setting many rules that no one can follow, but everything has a purpose and much more happy we would be!!!=)Please read it! for your sake, your spouse's sake, your children's and the whole world!

Interesting