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At the Heart of the Gospel: Reclaiming the Body for the New Evangelization
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 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.”
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.”
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
20 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
About the author
Christopher West
138 books229 followersChristopher West is a research fellow and faculty member of the Theology of the Body Institute. He is also one of the most sought after speakers in the Church today, having delivered more than 1000 public lectures on 4 continents, in more than a dozen countries, and in over 200 American cities. His books – Good News About Sex & Marriage, Theology of the Body Explained, and Theology of the Body for Beginners – have become Catholic best sellers.
Christopher has also lectured on a number of prestigious faculties, offering graduate and undergraduate courses at St John Vianney Seminary in Denver, the John Paul II Institute in Melbourne, Australia, and Creighton University’s Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha. Hundreds of thousands have heard him on national radio programs and even more have seen him defending the faith on programs such as Scarborough Country, Fox and Friends, and At Large with Geraldo Rivera. Of all his titles, Christopher is most proud to call himself a devoted husband and father. He and his wife Wendy have five children and live in Lancaster County, PA.
Christopher has also lectured on a number of prestigious faculties, offering graduate and undergraduate courses at St John Vianney Seminary in Denver, the John Paul II Institute in Melbourne, Australia, and Creighton University’s Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha. Hundreds of thousands have heard him on national radio programs and even more have seen him defending the faith on programs such as Scarborough Country, Fox and Friends, and At Large with Geraldo Rivera. Of all his titles, Christopher is most proud to call himself a devoted husband and father. He and his wife Wendy have five children and live in Lancaster County, PA.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 15, 2012
I’ve been following West’s work for some time, but this book brings something new to the table.
For one thing, he ties in two of my favorite topics–Theology of the Body and the New Evangelization–together in a way that is nothing less than brilliant.
For another, I can feel, in this text, how Christopher West has matured and grown as a writer, speaker, and man. When I first started listening to him and reading his work, he had one or two kids. Now he has five and he’s been through some fire and brimstone for his work.
You can feel that in this work. While it is very powerful, it steps back from some of the emotion I’ve read in his writing before. This work is more scholarly-feeling than what I’ve read of his work in the past.
If you were looking for a place to start with TOB, I’d suggest this book as the ideal place. West quotes his previous writings, John Paul II’s work, and many other works. (My to-read list is completely out of control after looking at the bibliography for this book.)
What I loved about this book, more than anything else, though, is the enthusiasm behind it. West’s love of God shines through, and he has pulled together resources and insights that are needed for us right here, right now.
At Mass last Sunday, Father Pat mentioned that the word enthusiasm has its root in a Greek word which means “with God.” In At the Heart of the Gospel, I saw that, despite many years of being immersed in not only the work of study, but also the nastiness of misunderstanding and being misquoted, West is no less enthusiastic–with God–than he was in the early days.
At the Heart of the Gospel is a guidebook for each of us, and it helps us reconcile the apparent contradiction we face in our culture. “Evangelization should begin with an affirmation of humanity’s fundamental and original goodness, rather than a declaration of our sinfulness,” West writes. Here’s hoping that we can all work together for this ideal in our work in the New Evangelization.
My copy is dog-eared and marked, and the cover, sadly, did not stand up well to being dragged all over creation in my attempt to read it in every spare moment. I may lend it to a friend, but more likely, I’ll encourage them–as I highly encourage you–to purchase their own copy. It’s an investment worth making.
For one thing, he ties in two of my favorite topics–Theology of the Body and the New Evangelization–together in a way that is nothing less than brilliant.
For another, I can feel, in this text, how Christopher West has matured and grown as a writer, speaker, and man. When I first started listening to him and reading his work, he had one or two kids. Now he has five and he’s been through some fire and brimstone for his work.
You can feel that in this work. While it is very powerful, it steps back from some of the emotion I’ve read in his writing before. This work is more scholarly-feeling than what I’ve read of his work in the past.
If you were looking for a place to start with TOB, I’d suggest this book as the ideal place. West quotes his previous writings, John Paul II’s work, and many other works. (My to-read list is completely out of control after looking at the bibliography for this book.)
What I loved about this book, more than anything else, though, is the enthusiasm behind it. West’s love of God shines through, and he has pulled together resources and insights that are needed for us right here, right now.
At Mass last Sunday, Father Pat mentioned that the word enthusiasm has its root in a Greek word which means “with God.” In At the Heart of the Gospel, I saw that, despite many years of being immersed in not only the work of study, but also the nastiness of misunderstanding and being misquoted, West is no less enthusiastic–with God–than he was in the early days.
At the Heart of the Gospel is a guidebook for each of us, and it helps us reconcile the apparent contradiction we face in our culture. “Evangelization should begin with an affirmation of humanity’s fundamental and original goodness, rather than a declaration of our sinfulness,” West writes. Here’s hoping that we can all work together for this ideal in our work in the New Evangelization.
My copy is dog-eared and marked, and the cover, sadly, did not stand up well to being dragged all over creation in my attempt to read it in every spare moment. I may lend it to a friend, but more likely, I’ll encourage them–as I highly encourage you–to purchase their own copy. It’s an investment worth making.
March 31, 2012
In the interests of full disclosure, I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for review. My previous exposure to Christopher West was through a discussion program hosted by my parish based on videotaped talks by him, but I had not read his books. That program, and to some extent, this book, seem to start in media res, but then, this book is billed as a response to his critics. For a beginner to Theology of the Body, maybe one of his earlier books will prove the better introduction, or possibly the original writings by John Paul II. This is tremendously important stuff, of that I'm convinced. A reviewer elsewhere commented that this one reads as somewhat abstract, an odd quality in a book centered on the incarnation and the mystical message of embodied love. I will likely read other books by Mr. West in the future.
August 10, 2016
As I am writing this review, a thunderstorm is approaching my hometown from the west as the sun begins to set behind the vast grayness. The sexual revolution is that thunderstorm that has swept throughout the current culture and has permeated through to today from generations before. The current perspective of the culture, pertaining to sexuality, has glimpses of lighting (truth), and I think Christopher West did a great job of exemplifying these 'truths' and as Catholics reclaiming the body by building upon these lighting bolts. West elaborates on how the New Evangelization, with great references to Pope Benedict 16th, Cantalamessa, and Albacete are all on par with being "better students of our culture."
I am sitting on my front porch, feeling the coolness of the new winds approaching from the storm. The darkening of the sky and ruffling of the leaves display that change is coming. We don't need a darkness to overcast such a beautiful day, but we do need the rain here. Christopher West rained down intellect, interpretations of JP2's work, and incorporated other literature resources (Pope Benedict 16th and others) with a fluency of true scholarship.
I read, Fill These Hearts, a few months ago and was captivated by the brilliance of West. West's ability to discuss sex, through a clear and concise lens, is stunning. Yet, his ability to create language structures of thought to help the reader understand St. Paul's, "This is a great mystery (conjugal love's correlation to Christ's love for the Church), but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church" is breath-taking...
That is a lot to take in, but West's main thesis of all his books is simply..."The body, in fact, and only the body, is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine." -Saint John Paul the Second. I would also add that West's main thesis in all his books incorporates the wisdom of Pope Benedict the 16th concerning the Incarnation, "The descent of God is intended to draw us into a movement of ascent." With this being said, West's ability to take the wisdom of JP2 and Benedict 16th, pray upon it, and correlate it with the New Evangelization is a read every Catholic must undertake.
The biggest take-away that I received in reading this book, stems from the quote cited by West from John Henry Newman. Newman stated, "Catholic Education is to reunite things which were in the beginning joined together by God and have been put asunder by man." I had/have a great Catholic upbringing (domestic Church), structured and spiritual grade schooling (1st-12th grade and Catholic College), and have been surrounded by a great community. With that amount of Catholic influence I have been blessed, but concerning Theology of the Body, TOB is an area that I believe was not fully revealed or "reunited." As a young man, it would be foolish of me to say I do not struggle with sexual sin, misconceptions, and the true meaning of the body with the disordering the culture pulsates. The benefits I have received in reading this book, are rooted in Newman's quote of "reuniting things which were "in the beginning" joined together by God."
I was absolutely fascinated in listening to West elaborate, with the help of references and in-text citations, concerning St. Paul's wisdom, The Song of Songs, Fulton Sheen's take from St. Augustine on the Crucifixion being a wedding bed, not of pleasure but of pain, in which Christ consummates His love for the Church in giving of His Body.
In the foreword, by Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, he stated that, "Theology of the Body must be a 'project of academic study' and a 'project of the heart'." Bishop McFadden is right, the New Evangelization is calling for a reclaiming of the body in which we must study TOB, take into our hearts the beauty TOB provides, and spread the good news of TOB to others.
I recommend this book to anyone, but I do encourage the reader to have read West before this particular book. Also, I would recommend the reader to listen to the Catholic Lighthouse CD by Dr. Edward Sri titled "Living the Gospel With The Heart of Pope Francis." This CD is awesome concerning the New Evangelization and I think having read West before and listening to this CD will help the reader to take-in, like a sponge, much more of the truth and validity of this book.
I am sitting on my front porch, feeling the coolness of the new winds approaching from the storm. The darkening of the sky and ruffling of the leaves display that change is coming. We don't need a darkness to overcast such a beautiful day, but we do need the rain here. Christopher West rained down intellect, interpretations of JP2's work, and incorporated other literature resources (Pope Benedict 16th and others) with a fluency of true scholarship.
I read, Fill These Hearts, a few months ago and was captivated by the brilliance of West. West's ability to discuss sex, through a clear and concise lens, is stunning. Yet, his ability to create language structures of thought to help the reader understand St. Paul's, "This is a great mystery (conjugal love's correlation to Christ's love for the Church), but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church" is breath-taking...
That is a lot to take in, but West's main thesis of all his books is simply..."The body, in fact, and only the body, is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine." -Saint John Paul the Second. I would also add that West's main thesis in all his books incorporates the wisdom of Pope Benedict the 16th concerning the Incarnation, "The descent of God is intended to draw us into a movement of ascent." With this being said, West's ability to take the wisdom of JP2 and Benedict 16th, pray upon it, and correlate it with the New Evangelization is a read every Catholic must undertake.
The biggest take-away that I received in reading this book, stems from the quote cited by West from John Henry Newman. Newman stated, "Catholic Education is to reunite things which were in the beginning joined together by God and have been put asunder by man." I had/have a great Catholic upbringing (domestic Church), structured and spiritual grade schooling (1st-12th grade and Catholic College), and have been surrounded by a great community. With that amount of Catholic influence I have been blessed, but concerning Theology of the Body, TOB is an area that I believe was not fully revealed or "reunited." As a young man, it would be foolish of me to say I do not struggle with sexual sin, misconceptions, and the true meaning of the body with the disordering the culture pulsates. The benefits I have received in reading this book, are rooted in Newman's quote of "reuniting things which were "in the beginning" joined together by God."
I was absolutely fascinated in listening to West elaborate, with the help of references and in-text citations, concerning St. Paul's wisdom, The Song of Songs, Fulton Sheen's take from St. Augustine on the Crucifixion being a wedding bed, not of pleasure but of pain, in which Christ consummates His love for the Church in giving of His Body.
In the foreword, by Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, he stated that, "Theology of the Body must be a 'project of academic study' and a 'project of the heart'." Bishop McFadden is right, the New Evangelization is calling for a reclaiming of the body in which we must study TOB, take into our hearts the beauty TOB provides, and spread the good news of TOB to others.
I recommend this book to anyone, but I do encourage the reader to have read West before this particular book. Also, I would recommend the reader to listen to the Catholic Lighthouse CD by Dr. Edward Sri titled "Living the Gospel With The Heart of Pope Francis." This CD is awesome concerning the New Evangelization and I think having read West before and listening to this CD will help the reader to take-in, like a sponge, much more of the truth and validity of this book.
February 20, 2014
As far as stars go, this book falls between three and four, I more than "liked it", but less than "really liked it". Still, I gave it four stars because it is an important and edifying book on John Paul II's Theology of the Body (TOB).
I read At the Heart of the Gospel(2012)on the heels of reading West's Theology of the Body Explained (2003). I don't know what happened between 2003 and 2012, but West's tone in At the Heart is decisively conciliatory, and at times literally apologetic.
At the Heart seems to have been written in response to a variety of arguments and criticisms leveled at West from a variety of people, including some who are Catholic.
I'm still trying to understand West's aims in writing At the Heart. For one, the book has the feel of a flashback episode tv show. He apologizes (several times) for not making certain issues central to the TOB clear in the previous TBE, and he quotes extensively from his previous work. He also appears to try to shore up his previous understanding of TOB with more references from the Catechism of teh Catholic Church, as well as to John Paul II's original texts. And he quotes extensively from a variety of other sources, including Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's pronouncements, which can be taken as substantiating or explaining West's hermeneutics, along with several Professors of Theology from around the world.
Having read West's comprehensive and authoritative TOBE I'm not convinced that At the Heart absolutely had to be written, other than to primarily grind a few axes against his critics. Without more context, and possibly naming the critics West seems to address, it is difficult for the reader to get involved in the issues that propelled West into writing At the Heart.
Of course many people (traditionalists) will balk at Bl. John Paul II's new body-centered theology. So what? As West says, criticism is healthy, that's how the finer points of doctrine get disclosed.
Yes, it seems that some of the attacks were malicious and personal. See Index I, where West feels compelled to explain that he has never said, nor agrees with, the view attributed to him about the Church's acceptance of certain sexual practices - you'll have to look at it yourselves, I'm trying to keep this a "family rated" review. The tone and subject matter found in Index I could have been written in a blog post instead of a book.
At the Heart of the Gospel is definitely worth a read for someone new to the idea/debate of Bl. John Paul II's Theology of the Body, but I did not see a need for this book, given all the information contained in TOBE, and all the references to this previous work with little to no different further explanations.
I read At the Heart of the Gospel(2012)on the heels of reading West's Theology of the Body Explained (2003). I don't know what happened between 2003 and 2012, but West's tone in At the Heart is decisively conciliatory, and at times literally apologetic.
At the Heart seems to have been written in response to a variety of arguments and criticisms leveled at West from a variety of people, including some who are Catholic.
I'm still trying to understand West's aims in writing At the Heart. For one, the book has the feel of a flashback episode tv show. He apologizes (several times) for not making certain issues central to the TOB clear in the previous TBE, and he quotes extensively from his previous work. He also appears to try to shore up his previous understanding of TOB with more references from the Catechism of teh Catholic Church, as well as to John Paul II's original texts. And he quotes extensively from a variety of other sources, including Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's pronouncements, which can be taken as substantiating or explaining West's hermeneutics, along with several Professors of Theology from around the world.
Having read West's comprehensive and authoritative TOBE I'm not convinced that At the Heart absolutely had to be written, other than to primarily grind a few axes against his critics. Without more context, and possibly naming the critics West seems to address, it is difficult for the reader to get involved in the issues that propelled West into writing At the Heart.
Of course many people (traditionalists) will balk at Bl. John Paul II's new body-centered theology. So what? As West says, criticism is healthy, that's how the finer points of doctrine get disclosed.
Yes, it seems that some of the attacks were malicious and personal. See Index I, where West feels compelled to explain that he has never said, nor agrees with, the view attributed to him about the Church's acceptance of certain sexual practices - you'll have to look at it yourselves, I'm trying to keep this a "family rated" review. The tone and subject matter found in Index I could have been written in a blog post instead of a book.
At the Heart of the Gospel is definitely worth a read for someone new to the idea/debate of Bl. John Paul II's Theology of the Body, but I did not see a need for this book, given all the information contained in TOBE, and all the references to this previous work with little to no different further explanations.
April 22, 2013
At the Heart of the Gospel is the second Christopher West book I have read in as many months. I say this not to brag, but as a point of reference. The first one I read was Fill These Hearts, which left me with mixed feelings. Everything I expected and wanted from "Fill These Hearts" was found in "At the Heart of the Gospel." Mr. West's audience for this book is anyone who is involved with the New Evangelization, in hopes that they/we will use the message of Theology of the Body (TOB) to reach out to those who are "sexually broken" and in need of healing.
Despite this book being only 7 chapters, it is a very dense read. Each chapter is between twenty and forty pages long and therefore makes you read slowly. If you try to rush through it, you will miss a great deal, so pace yourself. I normally don't appreciate lengthy chapters in books, as they tend to drone on, but it felt necessary in this book. Mr. West laid out a remarkable history of how our culture became "sexually broken" and what we as a Church must do to fix it and redeem the body.
The chapter which clicked most with me was "The Narrow Gate Between Idolatry and Iconoclasm." I have a great love for icons, and if if you love icons like I do, you know that they are more than just pretty pictures. They are prayers and windows into Heaven, which reveal theological truths to us. Mr. West uses the history of icons, idolatry, and iconoclasm as an apt metaphor for the body. Like icons, the body started out pure and holy. People became twisted though and veered off toward idolatry with sacred images, much like we veered off by idolizing the body. Iconoclasm occurred, just as our puritanical nature occurred. Eventually, icons were restored and seen as not evil in and of themselves. We hope one day the body will reach this state again.
This was a fascinating read for me. It made me realize that we have a hard battle ahead of us to set the pendulum rightly in the middle where it belongs. We are fighting against not only a culture that has grown accustomed to debasing the body, but also against the puritanical mindset on the opposite end. Blessed John Paul II's Theology of the Body has laid out a plan for us, and we must follow it. Christopher West's books will help us get there, especially this one, as he quotes from Blessed John Paul II and his other works. Five star book. Pick it up if Theology of the Body interests you. I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review
Despite this book being only 7 chapters, it is a very dense read. Each chapter is between twenty and forty pages long and therefore makes you read slowly. If you try to rush through it, you will miss a great deal, so pace yourself. I normally don't appreciate lengthy chapters in books, as they tend to drone on, but it felt necessary in this book. Mr. West laid out a remarkable history of how our culture became "sexually broken" and what we as a Church must do to fix it and redeem the body.
The chapter which clicked most with me was "The Narrow Gate Between Idolatry and Iconoclasm." I have a great love for icons, and if if you love icons like I do, you know that they are more than just pretty pictures. They are prayers and windows into Heaven, which reveal theological truths to us. Mr. West uses the history of icons, idolatry, and iconoclasm as an apt metaphor for the body. Like icons, the body started out pure and holy. People became twisted though and veered off toward idolatry with sacred images, much like we veered off by idolizing the body. Iconoclasm occurred, just as our puritanical nature occurred. Eventually, icons were restored and seen as not evil in and of themselves. We hope one day the body will reach this state again.
This was a fascinating read for me. It made me realize that we have a hard battle ahead of us to set the pendulum rightly in the middle where it belongs. We are fighting against not only a culture that has grown accustomed to debasing the body, but also against the puritanical mindset on the opposite end. Blessed John Paul II's Theology of the Body has laid out a plan for us, and we must follow it. Christopher West's books will help us get there, especially this one, as he quotes from Blessed John Paul II and his other works. Five star book. Pick it up if Theology of the Body interests you. I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review
November 3, 2013
In At the Heart of the Gospel, author Christopher West takes deep theology and makes it accessible to those of us who aren’t scholars! I appreciate his writing style as he explains things thoroughly without talking down to the readers. He has dedicated himself to studying Pope John Paul II’s writing “Theology of The Body” and in this book, West explains how that work relates to the New Evangelization.
I’ve heard in my own theology classes in college about the Gnostics who believed the body was bad and spiritual things were good. One of the things that West points out in this book is if we believe that, then what is life without the body? It is death. This reminded me of the many times in college that I’d be in a “feminar” (a seminar for girls) and we’d be told beauty isn’t important, it’s only what is inside that counts. I realize that not everyone is a model, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and ask most men, and they would tell you their wife is beautiful. We can survive in a world without beauty, but that’s often what it is, survival and not thriving.
One chapter I especially enjoyed was “The Narrow Gate Between Idolatry and Iconoclasm”. We can make anything into an idol be it beauty, food, other things that relate to our physical bodies, or something more abstract such as a hobby, or even veneration of saints. But do we need to go so far as to do away with things rather than keep them in check? Most likely not. If you have ever tried to lose a few pounds, to do it in a healthy manner, you still have to eat. So to have a healthy relationship with anything, it must be in moderation.
I also very much appreciated West tackling the tough topic of “The Great Analogy of Spousal Love”. Have you ever read through the Song of Soloman? That is an erotic book of the Bible! The high school I graduated from decided they were going to read through the Bible, one chapter a day, and being super conservative, I wondered what they would do when they came to that book if they continued that plan! Like Pope Benedict XVI said “The Prophets describe God’s passion for his people using boldly erotic images.” (page 103)
I enjoyed this book, not as much as a previous book by the same author, but it’s still a good, solid book that makes Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body not only accessible but practical. I highly recommend this book.
FTC disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I only recommend books I enjoy.
I’ve heard in my own theology classes in college about the Gnostics who believed the body was bad and spiritual things were good. One of the things that West points out in this book is if we believe that, then what is life without the body? It is death. This reminded me of the many times in college that I’d be in a “feminar” (a seminar for girls) and we’d be told beauty isn’t important, it’s only what is inside that counts. I realize that not everyone is a model, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and ask most men, and they would tell you their wife is beautiful. We can survive in a world without beauty, but that’s often what it is, survival and not thriving.
One chapter I especially enjoyed was “The Narrow Gate Between Idolatry and Iconoclasm”. We can make anything into an idol be it beauty, food, other things that relate to our physical bodies, or something more abstract such as a hobby, or even veneration of saints. But do we need to go so far as to do away with things rather than keep them in check? Most likely not. If you have ever tried to lose a few pounds, to do it in a healthy manner, you still have to eat. So to have a healthy relationship with anything, it must be in moderation.
I also very much appreciated West tackling the tough topic of “The Great Analogy of Spousal Love”. Have you ever read through the Song of Soloman? That is an erotic book of the Bible! The high school I graduated from decided they were going to read through the Bible, one chapter a day, and being super conservative, I wondered what they would do when they came to that book if they continued that plan! Like Pope Benedict XVI said “The Prophets describe God’s passion for his people using boldly erotic images.” (page 103)
I enjoyed this book, not as much as a previous book by the same author, but it’s still a good, solid book that makes Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body not only accessible but practical. I highly recommend this book.
FTC disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I only recommend books I enjoy.
February 17, 2012
The human body is the most misunderstood of all parts of Christianity. Yet our true humanity is both body and soul, and both are beautiful. Then why did Jesus say "the flesh is of no avail"? Christopher West in his book "At the Heart of the Gospel", quotes John Paul II responding to these words as "affirmation of the body given by the spirit." Learn more in the book.
Did Jesus save us with his soul, mind or his body? There certainly would have been no salvation without the body. Without the body of Jesus there could be no Good Friday, no Easter morning to the rising of the body of Jesus. So why modern Christianity play down the body?
Love and feelings, passion, are not of the mind but the body, the heart, for the heart is part of the body. Jesus and Mary, the two most passionate people in the Gospels found this passion in their bodies,their hearts, not in their minds. Jesus groaned passionately in the Gospel with feeling (from the heart); he had feeling for those multitudes who were hungry; for Lazarus dead in the tomb. That is true passion and requires a body, a heart, to relate to hunger and pain and death and something just out of our reach. One cannot be passionate or feeling in mind alone, that is not how God created us. Those healed by Jesus in the gospel were healed of bodily ills which shows the concern Jesus had for the body and the beauty he saw in the human body.
So reclaiming the body for the new evangelization is truly "At the Heart of the Gospel." Christopher West has pulled from sources that most people don't have access to and yet is a treasury for all Christians. The importance of reclaiming the Body can be found all through scripture and 2000 years of Christianity, West simply does all the work making it easily available to everyone in this one book. This is a great work and very necessary in today's world which seems to degrade the body extolling the mind to the exclusion of the body.
You will come away with a much better respect for your body, the creation of God, after reading this book. Jesus' body at the Transfiguration gives us a little hint of just how wonderful the body really is. So too does the vast history of Christianity offer great enlightenment of the beauty of the body. Read "At the Heart of the Gospel" and find out.
Did Jesus save us with his soul, mind or his body? There certainly would have been no salvation without the body. Without the body of Jesus there could be no Good Friday, no Easter morning to the rising of the body of Jesus. So why modern Christianity play down the body?
Love and feelings, passion, are not of the mind but the body, the heart, for the heart is part of the body. Jesus and Mary, the two most passionate people in the Gospels found this passion in their bodies,their hearts, not in their minds. Jesus groaned passionately in the Gospel with feeling (from the heart); he had feeling for those multitudes who were hungry; for Lazarus dead in the tomb. That is true passion and requires a body, a heart, to relate to hunger and pain and death and something just out of our reach. One cannot be passionate or feeling in mind alone, that is not how God created us. Those healed by Jesus in the gospel were healed of bodily ills which shows the concern Jesus had for the body and the beauty he saw in the human body.
So reclaiming the body for the new evangelization is truly "At the Heart of the Gospel." Christopher West has pulled from sources that most people don't have access to and yet is a treasury for all Christians. The importance of reclaiming the Body can be found all through scripture and 2000 years of Christianity, West simply does all the work making it easily available to everyone in this one book. This is a great work and very necessary in today's world which seems to degrade the body extolling the mind to the exclusion of the body.
You will come away with a much better respect for your body, the creation of God, after reading this book. Jesus' body at the Transfiguration gives us a little hint of just how wonderful the body really is. So too does the vast history of Christianity offer great enlightenment of the beauty of the body. Read "At the Heart of the Gospel" and find out.
March 11, 2013
I'm rating this book with four stars instead of five in large part because the first two-thirds of the book were a reprise of concepts and theology that has already been explicated by West in previous works. That being said, I found the last two chapters and appendices of the book to be rich and refreshing.
This book definitely isn't for those who are new to TOB or West. This book is meant to build on previous works and better define some of the more controversial or "grey" aspects of TOB. Additionally, this book is not for those who are unaccustomed to spiritual works. This book is not written for beginners, it is a scholarly work that is meant to help enlighten ideas that should already be grounded in previous reading and research.
Ultimately, At the Heart of the Gospel added another lens to my understanding of TOB and the New Evangelization and increased my thirst to read/learn more about TOB, committing myself more to the principles outlined by Bl. JP II in his landmark work.
This book definitely isn't for those who are new to TOB or West. This book is meant to build on previous works and better define some of the more controversial or "grey" aspects of TOB. Additionally, this book is not for those who are unaccustomed to spiritual works. This book is not written for beginners, it is a scholarly work that is meant to help enlighten ideas that should already be grounded in previous reading and research.
Ultimately, At the Heart of the Gospel added another lens to my understanding of TOB and the New Evangelization and increased my thirst to read/learn more about TOB, committing myself more to the principles outlined by Bl. JP II in his landmark work.
July 27, 2012
I'm really torn about this one. I love CW. I love TOB. I loved parts of this book, but overall it was underwhleming. I was so excited for it to be released. I preordered it! I was happy that the heart of the Gospel was shared through JPII's TOB but also through the work of Pope Benedict.
But CW, I read all your other books, I did not need to re-read them again here. I can understand how his quoting of his previous works would be beneficial to others who haven't read them, but for me it was just too much.
All in all, and important and valuable book, but I didn't always enjoy it.
I did enjoy the footnotes! (Which told you to youtube double rainbow, and shared other interesting stories and tidbits.)
But CW, I read all your other books, I did not need to re-read them again here. I can understand how his quoting of his previous works would be beneficial to others who haven't read them, but for me it was just too much.
All in all, and important and valuable book, but I didn't always enjoy it.
I did enjoy the footnotes! (Which told you to youtube double rainbow, and shared other interesting stories and tidbits.)
March 22, 2012
I received this because of the First Reads giveaway.
This book gives a somewhat easy to read explanation about connections between sexuality and religion (specifically Catholicism) and how to deal with it in the modern world. While I don't always agree with certain aspects of the book, it was well written and fairly easy to read. He seemed to over-quote other references a little too much. Sometimes it made me feel I should be reading those instead of this book. However, I like to read how various religions deal with issues in the world and thought this book was a well-written interpretation of previous Church sources.
This book gives a somewhat easy to read explanation about connections between sexuality and religion (specifically Catholicism) and how to deal with it in the modern world. While I don't always agree with certain aspects of the book, it was well written and fairly easy to read. He seemed to over-quote other references a little too much. Sometimes it made me feel I should be reading those instead of this book. However, I like to read how various religions deal with issues in the world and thought this book was a well-written interpretation of previous Church sources.
February 18, 2012
While I haven't read all of West's works, his writing seems to be steadily improving and this book is a fine summation of his work as a popular evangelist of Pope John Paul's Theology of the Body. If you are unfamiliar with a Catholic (or, for that matter, Christian of any type) understanding of sexuality, I cannot think of a finer introduction.
February 21, 2012
He gives a good concept as far as how to relate marriage and relationships with present day views of religious beliefs and use of the Bible. I expected a general Christian view but is more in the Catholic point of view. Good book with relationship status in counseling and solving of marrital issues through religious practices.
January 20, 2020
In this work, West shows how TOB and its implications really can enhance evangelization - not by selling TOB as something modern to overthrow "traditionalists" but by exposing just how TOB is actually at the heart of true, Catholic orthodoxy. The numerous quotes from Benedict XVI and other profound theologians really helped me expand my own understanding of TOB's scope, application, and beauty.
January 19, 2012
This religious read explores sexual relationships as per the bible. The author gives perspectives and anyone interested in religion would probably find this open read gratifying. Although somewhat deep in nature, in all it is a quick read. I won a copy of this book through a GOODREADS giveaway.
September 16, 2016
Outstanding! Fresh insight into topics that aren't spoken about enough because they are difficult. Here they are presented beautifully and simply. West is a master at deciphering St. JPII's theology of the body.
February 21, 2012
This book sets out Pope John Paul II's view on sex and the Catholic church. Some interesting stuff but very very dry. Had to force myself to read it. Books shouldn't be that way.
April 15, 2012
Christopher West is amazing and his latest book (this one) doesn't fail to inspire...
May 15, 2012
Simple but deep insights; love to see Christopher's love for what he writes about
June 27, 2012
This was a First Reads Giveaway, so let's start there.
I didn't like it much, mainly because I found it slow, and dry, and dare-I-say-it? Boring. It almost felt like reading a textbook.
I didn't like it much, mainly because I found it slow, and dry, and dare-I-say-it? Boring. It almost felt like reading a textbook.
February 21, 2013
Very beautiful explanation of the meaning of loving a spouse, your family, God, and His Church.
July 1, 2013
A good review for the new evangelization. You would have to have some prior knowledge of Theology of the Body in order to understand.
February 26, 2017
I must say right up front that I am not a Roman Catholic, and I do not completely agree with that Church’s stand on sexual issues. Recent scandals in the Church certainly do not bolster their credibility on the subject either. However, I have been very encouraged by what little I have heard regarding the teachings of John Paul II on the Theology of the Body, which was initially delivered as a series of lectures given from 1979 to 1984.
The most famous “interpreter” of these teachings is Christopher West, who has devoted himself to speaking and writing on the subject since the mid-1990s. He has produced no less than six books on the subject, including the latest, At the Heart of the Gospel: Reclaiming the Body for the New Evangelization.
In Heart of the Gospel, West presents his case on how the Church needs to be dealing with the subject of sex and marriage in order to reach out to the world. West rejects puritanical attitudes, as well as today’s prevailing permissive ones, arguing that the Christian view falls somewhere in between. Puritanism is based on the rejection of the physical with deference to the spiritual, while permissiveness basically rejects the spiritual with deference to the physical. Christianity is based on the incarnation—the joining of the spiritual and physical in mystical union in Jesus Christ. This view does not bring the spiritual down to the physical, but raises the physical to the level of the spiritual.
We are made physically as sexual beings in the image of God—”male and female”—which also elevates sexuality itself.
Christianity has always taught the importance of marriage, and how that union is intended by God to help us understand the relationship between Christ and the Church. The distortion of the meaning of sexuality, and the breakdown of marriage, has long been regarded as an attack of the enemy (Satan) to blur the image God wants to use. West sees marriage as an icon which helps us envision the eternal. Our sexuality was placed in us by God, he argues, so that we would also seek the higher oneness with God Himself.
There is so much more in this book that I’d like to share, but if I go much further I will end up giving you a synopsis of the entire book, and I doubt I would do it justice.
The most famous “interpreter” of these teachings is Christopher West, who has devoted himself to speaking and writing on the subject since the mid-1990s. He has produced no less than six books on the subject, including the latest, At the Heart of the Gospel: Reclaiming the Body for the New Evangelization.
In Heart of the Gospel, West presents his case on how the Church needs to be dealing with the subject of sex and marriage in order to reach out to the world. West rejects puritanical attitudes, as well as today’s prevailing permissive ones, arguing that the Christian view falls somewhere in between. Puritanism is based on the rejection of the physical with deference to the spiritual, while permissiveness basically rejects the spiritual with deference to the physical. Christianity is based on the incarnation—the joining of the spiritual and physical in mystical union in Jesus Christ. This view does not bring the spiritual down to the physical, but raises the physical to the level of the spiritual.
We are made physically as sexual beings in the image of God—”male and female”—which also elevates sexuality itself.
…how misguided is the common notion that in order to “deny our sinful tendencies” we must “deny our sexuality.” With such an approach we end up trading one sin (the lustful indulgence of sexuality) for another (contempt for human nature).
…
…identifying our humanity so closely with our sexuality is not a matter of reducing the human person to the “sexual level.” Rather, it is a matter of raising all that is sexual to the level of the human person. [pp.18-19]
Christianity has always taught the importance of marriage, and how that union is intended by God to help us understand the relationship between Christ and the Church. The distortion of the meaning of sexuality, and the breakdown of marriage, has long been regarded as an attack of the enemy (Satan) to blur the image God wants to use. West sees marriage as an icon which helps us envision the eternal. Our sexuality was placed in us by God, he argues, so that we would also seek the higher oneness with God Himself.
Oh! How tragic that we have believed the lie that God does not want to grant the desires of our hearts! Our desire for “eternal joy,” for “pleasure in the extreme” is not bad. That’s not the problem; God created us that way. He put that desire in our hearts so that we, like a bride, might open our longing to “the gift” of the eternal Bridegroom. And if we believe that God is not going to grant us the heaven we desire, we will attempt to satisfy our desire for “pleasure in the extreme” on our own. If heaven is not real, then we will probably set our sights on the next best thing—that primary icon of heaven found here in the created world: sex. But alas, this “false heaven” ends up creating a living hell…. Welcome to the pornographic “culture of death” in which the primary icon has become our primary idol.
…
If the evil of our pornographic world is to be stopped, we mustn’t condemn the body and sex, nor seek to snuff out the fire of eros that lies at the core of our humanity. Rather, we must rediscover the true meaning of the body and sex as a sign of the “great mystery” of Christ’s love for the Church, redirecting eros towards its true object. [pp.215-216]
There is so much more in this book that I’d like to share, but if I go much further I will end up giving you a synopsis of the entire book, and I doubt I would do it justice.
November 2, 2022
It helps to have a good knowledge of Saint Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body talks and Christopher West's explanation of said talk. This wonderful book drives home the points of how to take the topics of Theology of the Body and spread it to your family, friends, and community. It teaches how to see the body the way God meant it to be seen. A great, uplifting book for any Christian.
October 24, 2019
Great as intro or deepened exploration of the TOB.
Great as intro or deepened exploration of the TOB. Very highly recommended, takes you to some profound depths and connects the Theology of the Body to the evangelistic efforts of the Church.
Great as intro or deepened exploration of the TOB. Very highly recommended, takes you to some profound depths and connects the Theology of the Body to the evangelistic efforts of the Church.
September 7, 2022
Knowing and living out the Theology of the Body is even more important these days
April 14, 2025
Honestly was “week of the bridegroom” video in a book form 🥰🥰 SUCH GOOD STUFF
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