Katy Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 If I want to learn more about the Theology of the Body (not just about sex, but about why God gave us bodies). Should I read the original Love and Responsibility, or should I read something by Christopher West, or something else entirely? I'm feeling drawn to learn more about this after realizing I feel more joy when I focus more on material things and less on spiritual or intellectual ones, which is a bit incongruous with my natural state of wanting to live in my head all the time. Also I watched this, which made me question a lot of my protestant theories about flesh being the evil part of me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barnwife Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 TOB is based on a series of Wednesday audiences given by Pope St. John Paul II. I think reading the original lectures is eye-opening in ways other things about it aren't. However, West's book is good (and probably less intimidating). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scholastica Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 The book above is a great introduction. Another good one is The Human Person According to John Paul II. The original talks are published in this book. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 No advice other than yikes - no, your physical body is not equal to sin. As the old saying goes, "God don't make junk". You were wonderfully created in the image of God. God could have made us just souls if he wanted to, but he didn't. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slache Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 Flesh is where our sin nature comes from but that doesn't make everything fleshly sin. Sex is fun, chocolate tastes good and roses smell sweet because God wanted it that way, the problem comes when we meet those desires in the wrong way. I'm only 11 minutes in but I agree with everything he's said so far. I'm a Baptist and I hold the Bible as the final authority. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeachyDoodle Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 No advice, but I'm very interested in what you come up with. I think a theology of the body is sorely lacking in Protestantism, as well as Lutheranism, my neck of the woods. The miracle of the incarnation is proof that our physical existence is as important as our spiritual one. Please do share what you find! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeachyDoodle Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 I came across this book today. I'm not familiar with the author, but for a buck on Kindle I decided to give it a try. I'm only a few pages in. Thought it might interest one of you! I Am God's Creature: Martin Luther and a Theology of the Body 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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