On the Body: A Contemporary Theology of the Human Person

by Carlo Maria Martini

On the Body is unlike any other by this author. It is carefully structured in five parts, and is a major study on the catechesis of the human body and the spirit that lies within. The content for this work comes out of the Cardinal's 20 years as a bishop and it is from this experience that he regards this topic as being central theologically, anthropologically, and pedagogically. Above all, the book expresses the over concern that consumes our fitness-oriented body culture that has become such a huge phenomenon in our time.

120 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2001

About the author

Cardinal Martini was an exegetical and theological scholar who has written more than 40 books, and was reputed to speak 11 languages.

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though this is a short little book of essays, it's definitely not an entry-level text on Catholic theology of the body. The writer presupposes quite a bit of background knowledge of scripture and doctrine, and the writing comes off as fragmented because of this. I was most inspired by the first section, in which Martini details the flawed modern mindset that humans can be perpetually healthy and young, then counters with a more realistic faith-based perspective.