Theology of the Body for Beginners

Book excerpt: Divorce. Broken families. Sexual abuse. Addiction. Pornography. Same-sex "marriage." Gender issues. Everywhere we look, we find more and more confusion about the most fundamental truths of human life. As we lose our basic understanding of the meanings of man, woman, marriage, and sex, the question becomes ever more urgent: What does it mean to be a human being? Against this backdrop, St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body appears as a bright light in the darkness. His writings go straight to the heart of what it means to be hilly human-but they are often difficult for most of us to grasp easily. That's where Christopher West comes in. He covers the main points of this revolutionary teaching in a way that you can understand. You'll see desire- physical, emotional, and spiritual-in a whole new light! The first edition of this book was released in 2004 and instantly became an international best seller. In this updated, revised, and expanded edition, you'll have access to new insights gleaned from West's ongoing study on the subject, as well as wisdom from Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. You'll also discover brand-new insights on how to respond with clarity and compassion to the gender chaos so prevalent in our world today. Book jacket.