Call number
233.5 JPII
Status
Checked out
Due 12 Dec 2021
Call number
Pages
603
Description
In these talks, John Paul II presents a catechesis centered on the human person understood within the mystery of Christ. The Pope discusses the bodily dimension of human personhood, sexuality, and marriage in the light of biblical revelation. Includes general audience addresses from September 5, 1979 to November 28, 1984 and the following documents: Of human life, On the dignity and vocation of women and The gospel of life.
Publication
Pauline Books & Media (1997), 603 pages
ISBN
0819873942 / 9780819873941
Collection
User reviews
LibraryThing member michaelabril
An excellent series of homilies that sets the foundation of theological study of the human body and sexuality in this day. Although it can at times be soporific for its repetitiveness (being a series of homilies, not a singular discourse), and many criticize it (unfairly) for what topics it leaves
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out or does not discuss in detail, I believe it is a must-read not only for theologians, but also for intelligent Christians genuinely interested in the place of the human person in God's plan. Once again, it must be recognized that this book is a starting point, not a conclusive resource, and it is very much the culmination of Catholic theology of the body, not a departure from traditional thought (although people will find it far different from any misconceived negative notion of the body that the Church is wrongly thought to have). At the same time, it contains many interpretations of the scriptures that are intelligent, informed, but also spiritual interpretations, contrary to a literalist or fundamentalist understanding of the scriptures. Although it was written by the Pope, it is not a magisterial document or an infallible ex cathedra teaching, but a theological and pastoral exposition of the Church's tradition and doctrines. As such, it will be incredibly useful both for theological development and for pastoral/catechetical illumination. Show Less