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These Beautiful Bones: An Everyday Theology of the Body
It was Blessed John Paul II's greatest gift to the Church: The theology of the body. A window into who we are, the theology of the body is a theology for the rooms where we make love. But it's also a theology for the rooms where we work, where we eat, where we laugh, and where we pray. These Beautiful Bones takes you on a walk through those rooms. With both humor and practical wisdom, it sheds light on what the theology of the body has to say about life beyond the bedroom, about the everyday moments of life, helping you discover how to let grace enter into those moments and make of them something extraordinary.
184 pages, Paperback
First published September 9, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
November 26, 2013
Brace yourself, because I didn't just love this book. I am not about to just expound about one of my favorite author's genius lightly. No, when I call this book a modern masterpiece, I'm not exaggerating. I'm probably understating by a factor of 100.
If you've spent the last ten years watching "theology of the body" become a catchphrase and still not understanding it...
If the phrase "theology of the body" has you (a) rolling your eyes, (b) running in fear, or (c) puking in the toilet...
If you don't even know just what in the world that phrase "theology of the body" means (and don't really want to)...
This is the book for you.
If you love good writing, appreciate practical wisdom, and desire to grow closer to God, this is the book for you.
Stimpson has managed to make theology of the body something everyday, and by doing that, she's made it accessible for even the most mundane and ordinary among us. She has taken the dust of our lives and the reality of our experience and woven a book that applies theology of the body to such as that.
In short, it is a brilliant book. Don't believe me? Get a copy and prove me wrong. :)
If you've spent the last ten years watching "theology of the body" become a catchphrase and still not understanding it...
If the phrase "theology of the body" has you (a) rolling your eyes, (b) running in fear, or (c) puking in the toilet...
If you don't even know just what in the world that phrase "theology of the body" means (and don't really want to)...
This is the book for you.
If you love good writing, appreciate practical wisdom, and desire to grow closer to God, this is the book for you.
Stimpson has managed to make theology of the body something everyday, and by doing that, she's made it accessible for even the most mundane and ordinary among us. She has taken the dust of our lives and the reality of our experience and woven a book that applies theology of the body to such as that.
In short, it is a brilliant book. Don't believe me? Get a copy and prove me wrong. :)
October 7, 2023
I've given this book 5 stars because it sets out on a crucial task not only for Theology of the Body devotees but anyone trying to live an authenticly integrated human life.
Is it the be-all and end-all? No. But Emily Stimpson "gets it." The Theology of the Body is not a theology of sex, as it is most often portrayed, but a theology of being human made in the Image and Likeness of God. Stimpson's work attempts to make that palpable to the modern reader, in theory and in practice.
My hope is that this spurs more work in seeing the Theology of the Body as it applies to the whole of life.
Bravo.
Is it the be-all and end-all? No. But Emily Stimpson "gets it." The Theology of the Body is not a theology of sex, as it is most often portrayed, but a theology of being human made in the Image and Likeness of God. Stimpson's work attempts to make that palpable to the modern reader, in theory and in practice.
My hope is that this spurs more work in seeing the Theology of the Body as it applies to the whole of life.
Bravo.
January 30, 2021
Emily’s writing is hilarious, captivating, and so easy to read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who wants to live out the sacramental worldview we should have as Catholics.
April 25, 2020
Led an online high school girl’s book club with this book and would highly recommend it as a very practical introduction to the Theology of the Body. It’s very readable but doesn’t “dumb down” the beauty of the TOB. There are thought-provoking suggestions that can be implemented in one’s life immediately in every chapter.
September 11, 2016
Many books of Theology of the Body (TOB) address the implications for marital relationships, but this may be the first book to talk about the real impact of TOB on everyday life. If we take the body seriously as a revelation of God's goodness and His plan for our life, then that effects how we organize our time, how we work, and how we relate to others. It is really just the beginning of a conversation about this aspect of TOB, and is a little scattered in organization at times, but a great read. It also gives a brief overview of TOB in the beginning for those who haven't read anything on the subject. 5 stars simply because no one else is talking about this yet!
March 27, 2016
I have a Master's Degree in Theology, have been to the Theology of the Body Institute, have read the original Theology of the Body and much of Christopher West. This book was very refreshing. I found myself smiling half of the time and lost in introspection the other half. To take the concepts of the Theology of the Body and apply it to modern times in a practical way was very beautiful and beneficial to myself as a Catholic Christian. Emily Stimpson is a gifted writer and I look forward to more from her like this.
October 2, 2020
I feel bad writing this review but I just didn’t really like this book. It was okay but I found myself skimming most of it. I loved chapter 8 and plan to go through that chapter with my kids. Some of the other chapters like dressing modestly and the eating chapter were things I feel like I’ve read a million times. Maybe this book would be better for younger Catholics.
March 16, 2025
I highly recommend this book. Period.
November 6, 2024
Cannot recommend this enough
May 8, 2024
Lovely. Simple. Concrete. Down to earth, yet very profound. The Theology of The Body has become so popular sometimes it is cringy. It is thought to be merely about sexuality, but it is so much more. This book talls about the everyday. Work, hobbies, manners, food (making it and sharing it), dressing well, praying… basically everything in the light of Redemption. It is a calling to go back to the Sacramental worldview that modernity has so lost .
Please do yourselves a favour and read this. It is short, straightforward and beautifully written .
Please do yourselves a favour and read this. It is short, straightforward and beautifully written .
May 16, 2017
Overall, a really excellent, practical book with a lot of food for thought. I love the premise of incorporating a body + soul unity in every aspect of our lives. She makes so many great points about ordering our lives toward what matters, moving and living in our bodies (not just going from cubicle to couch), avoiding the pitfalls of the age of distraction, and so much more. I saved many passages to look back on later!
Some parts were confusing--particularly in the chapter on dressing. I don't get the reference to "proportion and balance" in clothing, such as pairing "arm-baring blouses with longer skirts or pants." Doesn't it just depend on what you're doing, the weather, etc.? What's wrong with shorts and a tank top for casual scenarios? The whole modesty thing always gets confusing fast, though. She also says older guys shouldn't wear baseball caps. Huh? There were some other tricky topics--like extreme forms of self-mortification--that left me with more questions than answers. But it's not like self-flagellation was recommended for all.
The book also has some typos (Mother Theresa instead of Teresa), and several references to 1896 as being during of the Edwardian era (this probably bothered me more than it should). I'm not immune to such errors myself, but you never know--perhaps they'll see this review and correct subsequent editions.
When I read a book, unfortunately my quibbles tend to stick with me more than the amazing lights and insights the text offered. This honestly was a great read, and I heartily recommend it.
Some parts were confusing--particularly in the chapter on dressing. I don't get the reference to "proportion and balance" in clothing, such as pairing "arm-baring blouses with longer skirts or pants." Doesn't it just depend on what you're doing, the weather, etc.? What's wrong with shorts and a tank top for casual scenarios? The whole modesty thing always gets confusing fast, though. She also says older guys shouldn't wear baseball caps. Huh? There were some other tricky topics--like extreme forms of self-mortification--that left me with more questions than answers. But it's not like self-flagellation was recommended for all.
The book also has some typos (Mother Theresa instead of Teresa), and several references to 1896 as being during of the Edwardian era (this probably bothered me more than it should). I'm not immune to such errors myself, but you never know--perhaps they'll see this review and correct subsequent editions.
When I read a book, unfortunately my quibbles tend to stick with me more than the amazing lights and insights the text offered. This honestly was a great read, and I heartily recommend it.
April 2, 2019
A few quotes from a book I plan on reading again. The first time through, here is what really stood out to me.
More than what work we do, it's how we do our work that matters. It's how we talk to our patients, talk to our secretary, and talk to the quiet old man who sweeps the halls at night- acknowledging them and caring for them as persons, not case numbers or job titles. It's also how we treat those who work for us and with us-with kindness, compassion, and justice, as men not machines. And it's how we show understanding and respect, how we offer criticism and guidance, how we exercise integrity, and how we make every minute of our workday a silent witness to the God we love. pg. 51
In the theology of the body, John Paul II explains that there is one essential pre-condition for making "a sincere gift of self": freedom. Not freedom in the sense that twenty-first century Americans speak of it - as the ability to do whatever we wish. But rather freedom in the classic Thomistic sense - as the ability to do what we ought. pg. 143
The part on manors and etiquette is reason enough to read this book again. Written clear and easy to read. She has helped remind me not to lose site of honoring the dignity of another.
More than what work we do, it's how we do our work that matters. It's how we talk to our patients, talk to our secretary, and talk to the quiet old man who sweeps the halls at night- acknowledging them and caring for them as persons, not case numbers or job titles. It's also how we treat those who work for us and with us-with kindness, compassion, and justice, as men not machines. And it's how we show understanding and respect, how we offer criticism and guidance, how we exercise integrity, and how we make every minute of our workday a silent witness to the God we love. pg. 51
In the theology of the body, John Paul II explains that there is one essential pre-condition for making "a sincere gift of self": freedom. Not freedom in the sense that twenty-first century Americans speak of it - as the ability to do whatever we wish. But rather freedom in the classic Thomistic sense - as the ability to do what we ought. pg. 143
The part on manors and etiquette is reason enough to read this book again. Written clear and easy to read. She has helped remind me not to lose site of honoring the dignity of another.
February 7, 2016
This book touches on many different ways we can live JPII's Theology of the Body in our everyday lives. There really were great point made. But to be honest, this isn't my favorite book about TOB. It could be that because I've read some of the original TOB, the ideas didn't seem incredibly "new" to me. But I think it mostly wasn't my favorite because I would have loved if Emily had gone so much deeper into what she mentioned. I wanted to know more of the "why" and "how". If you haven't read much about TOB, I think this would be a great book to start learning about it and applying the concepts to everyday. Then pick up some of JPII's work to go deeper!
September 15, 2021
This was a very nice book, from a Catholic perspective, about the human body. About the connection between body and soul, how to view our bodies, how to use them, and how to care for them. A lot of great insight and powerful truths.
I'm not Catholic, but was able to filter out pieces that I didn't agree with as a result. The core of the book is easily adaptable to a protestant belief system.
My main criticism is the portrayal of gender roles. I understand that you probably can't write a Catholic book about the body without them, but blanket statements about gender norms rub me the wrong way. So I really don't like when this book says that the father of a family will be the one to deal with a rodent infestation (not "often" or "usually", but just like that) or go out at night to buy medicine for the sick child. My husband and I lived in an apartment with a rodent problem, and I remember setting and emptying just as many mouse traps as he did. With gender roles, avoid absolutes: fathers OFTEN hold their infants facing outwards and TEND TO BE the parent to encourage more risk taking. (Thanks for coming to my TedTalk!)
The fact that I'm still giving the book 4 stars shows how much good stuff was still there after filtering out the Catholicism and shaking my fist at the unhedged gender roles.
I'm not Catholic, but was able to filter out pieces that I didn't agree with as a result. The core of the book is easily adaptable to a protestant belief system.
My main criticism is the portrayal of gender roles. I understand that you probably can't write a Catholic book about the body without them, but blanket statements about gender norms rub me the wrong way. So I really don't like when this book says that the father of a family will be the one to deal with a rodent infestation (not "often" or "usually", but just like that) or go out at night to buy medicine for the sick child. My husband and I lived in an apartment with a rodent problem, and I remember setting and emptying just as many mouse traps as he did. With gender roles, avoid absolutes: fathers OFTEN hold their infants facing outwards and TEND TO BE the parent to encourage more risk taking. (Thanks for coming to my TedTalk!)
The fact that I'm still giving the book 4 stars shows how much good stuff was still there after filtering out the Catholicism and shaking my fist at the unhedged gender roles.
July 1, 2021
This book provides a look into applications across life contexts to apply the theology of the body to daily life. It gave me lots of food for thought in how to approach teaching my children to see their bodies as gifts from God and how to honor what it means to be embodied souls, made in the image of God. Written by a Catholic woman, it definitely contains catholic theology in parts that as a Protestant I disagree with, however it was easy to discern where it was and did not detract from the book being on the whole largely helpful in thinking about the importance and meaning of our bodies as Christians.
February 7, 2022
Emily is one of my favorite contemporary writers—nonfiction, fiction, Catholic, or otherwise. This book is equal parts beautiful, profound, and True. Emily took on the mammoth topic of the Theology of the Body and somehow managed to package it into this gorgeous, small, approachable, encouraging, and inspiring book for the lay faithful. Thank you for your “yes,” Emily!
December 30, 2018
An excellent synopsis of the Theology of the Body. Prior to reading it, I was only familiar with the sexuality aspect of TOB, but Emily Stimpson reveals how much more it truly is about, giving practical ways to live it out in our daily lives. This is a must read.
June 15, 2025
This is a wonderful expansion of the Theology of the Body. It includes the topics of the theology of work, food, modesty, and gender. The chapter on modesty is the best I’ve ever read on the subject and I will refer to often. Highly recommend!
November 28, 2024
beautiful, poignant and poetic
April 7, 2014
I liked several things about this book. First, it reiterates the idea that according to Catholic teaching (from Genesis 2:7) we believe that body and soul are united and cannot be separated (CCC 362).
So it stands to reason that the way we view, think about, and behave with our bodies directly affects our relationship with God. This is profound, particularly in our modern society in which many of us think our bodies are a toy because we do not understand we can cause spiritual damage through bodily abuse.
Next, I like that Emily Stimpson clearly spent time thinking about how we can apply the Theology of the Body to our everyday lives. She definitely broadened my perspective on this topic because too often, people think Theology of the Body is about only sex.
Finally, she writes in an approachable style. I could hear her voice coming through the pages of the book. It is warm and inviting but dense with wisdom. I think it's a book that requires more than one read.
I recommend this book for those Catholics who want a general introduction to the Theology of the Body. I think it's a book to give to your teenage children to help them understand there is another view of our bodies than that proposed by secular society.
So it stands to reason that the way we view, think about, and behave with our bodies directly affects our relationship with God. This is profound, particularly in our modern society in which many of us think our bodies are a toy because we do not understand we can cause spiritual damage through bodily abuse.
Next, I like that Emily Stimpson clearly spent time thinking about how we can apply the Theology of the Body to our everyday lives. She definitely broadened my perspective on this topic because too often, people think Theology of the Body is about only sex.
Finally, she writes in an approachable style. I could hear her voice coming through the pages of the book. It is warm and inviting but dense with wisdom. I think it's a book that requires more than one read.
I recommend this book for those Catholics who want a general introduction to the Theology of the Body. I think it's a book to give to your teenage children to help them understand there is another view of our bodies than that proposed by secular society.
December 18, 2019
This is a great introduction for someone who has never read anything regarding Theology of the Body. Many people think Theology of the Body = Theology of Sex, and to realize that there is so much more to TOB than sex is a necessary and enlightening distinction to learn.
That being said, I found the author repetitive at times and over-simplistic at others. She made a lot of arguments without really getting into the "why" of it all.
Having read and studied St. John Paul II's TOB (and having used it in my undergraduate thesis), I found nothing new to learn in this book.
In that sense, yes, it is a good "Everyday Theology of the Body", but it should be used as a "first taste" leading the reader to JPII's rich Theology of the Body opus.
That being said, I found the author repetitive at times and over-simplistic at others. She made a lot of arguments without really getting into the "why" of it all.
Having read and studied St. John Paul II's TOB (and having used it in my undergraduate thesis), I found nothing new to learn in this book.
In that sense, yes, it is a good "Everyday Theology of the Body", but it should be used as a "first taste" leading the reader to JPII's rich Theology of the Body opus.
January 18, 2019
I just finished this book and am turning around and reading it again. There is so much to unpack. The author discusses Theology of the Body, not in terms of martial relations, but in terms of the body in every day life. So many of the things she talked about, I nodded along with what. It seemed like such common sense. But when put in terms of Theology of the Body, it takes on such a greater meaning and makes me think “Why am I not putting more emphasis on this”? I truly enjoyed this book and gained so much insight from it.
March 16, 2021
I especially LOVED the chapter on food and the ways food in its preparation with love and excellence and even daily grind are blessed. As a mom to toddlers, this was powerful. As a daughter and daughter-in-law to women who love through food, it is a chapter I will remember for a long time.
I also wish I had read this a few years ago. It would have been the perfect read for me in my early 20s. Still, for anyone with a body, it’s a great read! (:
I also wish I had read this a few years ago. It would have been the perfect read for me in my early 20s. Still, for anyone with a body, it’s a great read! (:
May 31, 2018
A practical, easy to read--but not necessarily to follow!--book on applying St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body to our entire lives, from clothing to food to social media, and more. A definite must-read!
August 13, 2017
This is an accessible, practical, and winsome reflection on the implications of John Paul II's "theology of the body" for daily life. Brimming with wisdom, it is an invitation to a sacramental way of life.
April 9, 2020
I think it would benefit every Catholic to read this book. It provides such an in-depth, but overwhelming analysis of the Theology of the Body and its applications to every day life, not just in relationships.
March 16, 2017
One of the most beautiful and practical little theology books I've ever read. Teaches how to bring holiness to even the most mundane parts of daily life.
June 18, 2021
Lovely little book of essays. I just adore Emily’s writing - from her published books to her Instagram posts: little gems about life and faith and living it all well.
April 18, 2024
In my reread of this there's so much goodness in here but some ideas that may need to be updated in explanation based upon new insights on TOB in 2024
June 3, 2017
Can I give it more than 5 stars? This was SO good. Easily the best book I've read this year.
I had trouble reading her food book and I didn't connect with her opening about the Bone Church. However, by page 6, it got easier to read and I fell in love with her everyday theology of the body (TOTB). Good (orthodox) Catholic understandings, but completely understandable and relateable. TOTB meets manners. TOTB meets fashion. TOTB meets technology. TOTB in the everyday world.
I loved her premise that physical things communicate something about God, like metaphors. The objects themselves aren't God (an important distinction) but we can learn about God, Truth and Beauty through the physical world. Our bodies and the things we do with them have meaning. This book makes everything so simple and beautiful, I'd recommend it for all Christians - not just Catholics. Heck, I'd recommend it to anyone interested in living a beautiful, authentic life. It was an uplifting read. Challenging in subtle ways because it gives glimpses of the greatness and beauty that our own lives could contain.
I definitely needed this read as I struggle with failures in my own life. It contained endless insightful and inspiring quotes. I could re-read it every year and get something else out of it.
Around page 120, it slowed a bit for me. Or maybe I just got distracted by life. It took a while to finish, but I feel like a better person having read it. If you read one spiritual book this year, make it this one. It is great for people in love with the Lord and those on the fence. The full Truth is spoken, but it is done so in everyday language. Little bits at a time, so that it doesn't overwhelm. Kind of like how life greets us.
I had trouble reading her food book and I didn't connect with her opening about the Bone Church. However, by page 6, it got easier to read and I fell in love with her everyday theology of the body (TOTB). Good (orthodox) Catholic understandings, but completely understandable and relateable. TOTB meets manners. TOTB meets fashion. TOTB meets technology. TOTB in the everyday world.
I loved her premise that physical things communicate something about God, like metaphors. The objects themselves aren't God (an important distinction) but we can learn about God, Truth and Beauty through the physical world. Our bodies and the things we do with them have meaning. This book makes everything so simple and beautiful, I'd recommend it for all Christians - not just Catholics. Heck, I'd recommend it to anyone interested in living a beautiful, authentic life. It was an uplifting read. Challenging in subtle ways because it gives glimpses of the greatness and beauty that our own lives could contain.
I definitely needed this read as I struggle with failures in my own life. It contained endless insightful and inspiring quotes. I could re-read it every year and get something else out of it.
Around page 120, it slowed a bit for me. Or maybe I just got distracted by life. It took a while to finish, but I feel like a better person having read it. If you read one spiritual book this year, make it this one. It is great for people in love with the Lord and those on the fence. The full Truth is spoken, but it is done so in everyday language. Little bits at a time, so that it doesn't overwhelm. Kind of like how life greets us.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews