Christopher West On Nightline

[Old_Joe]

Read story [url="http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/Sex/Story?id=7527380&page=1"]here.[/url]

Some of the ways they worded stuff makes it sound a little iffy or mocking, but otherwise it looks good.

[mod]Mod Warning: This thread contains mature wording that is not appropriate for all phorum members, especially those underage.[/mod]

Edited May 12, 2009 by Lil Red

[kafka]

A couple of articles criticizing Christopher West's and other's so called theology of the body:

[url="http://www.newoxfordreview.org/article.jsp?did=0309-mullady"]http://www.newoxfordreview.org/article.jsp?did=0309-mullady[/url]

[url="http://www.scripturecatholic.com/sexuality_qa.html#tob"]http://www.scripturecatholic.com/sexuality_qa.html#tob[/url]

[Innocent]

[quote name='kafka' post='1861626' date='May 8 2009, 12:50 PM']A couple of articles criticizing Christopher West's and other's so called theology of the body:

[url="http://www.newoxfordreview.org/article.jsp?did=0309-mullady"]http://www.newoxfordreview.org/article.jsp?did=0309-mullady[/url]

[url="http://www.scripturecatholic.com/sexuality_qa.html#tob"]http://www.scripturecatholic.com/sexuality_qa.html#tob[/url][/quote]

Kafka,

Could you tell us what preliminary reading, in your opinion, would help us to understand Pope John Paul II's TotB? (I mean the original talks by John Paul II. I've got them printed out and spiral bound.)

Would [i]Love & Responsibility[/i] and [i]Person & Ac[/i]t suffice?

Or do you consider John Paul II's original talks themselves to be of not great value?

I just ask because at the second link you've given the person states he's not read the originals by Pope John Paul II. So it's not clear to me what you think of the originals.

P.S. Article #1 you've linked to above requires a subscription to view it fully.

Edited May 8, 2009 by Innocent

[kafka]

[quote name='Innocent' post='1861635' date='May 8 2009, 02:42 AM']Kafka,

Could you tell us what preliminary reading, in your opinion, would help us to understand Pope John Paul II's TotB? (I mean the original talks by John Paul II. I've got them printed out and spiral bound.)

Would [i]Love & Responsibility[/i] and [i]Person & Ac[/i]t suffice?

Or do you consider John Paul II's original talks themselves to be of not great value?

I just ask because at the second link you've given the person states he's not read the originals by Pope John Paul II. So it's not clear to me what you think of the originals.

P.S. Article #1 you've linked to above requires a subscription to view it fully. [/quote]
The reason I posted those articles above is so people may become aware of the errors in Christopher West's as well as others so called theology of the body. Those articles point out some of the problems (though I dont agree with all the points asserted in them).

As far as the original lectures given by Pope John Paul II, yes I do think they are of value. Great value? No. And they are Pope John Paul II's private theology and not an act of Magisterium. And I dont care to do any commentary on them. So I will leave it at that.

I'm sorry that first link is for subscribers. It is from their March issue so they must have reduced it to subscribers only which is a shame.

[Brother Adam]

I think many people, and even sometimes Christopher West, misrepresent the teachings found in Theology of the Body (I have read most of the original audiences). Whether it is of great value depends on what you mean by great value. I find the anthropology and sacramentality of great value because I have used JPII's personal theology in my catechesis to open Catholics up to the idea that the Church does not see sexuality as off limits and taboo (They see the Churches moral teaching in an almost Monty Python like philosophy - "Those Catholics have to have a baby every time they have sex").

I disagree with some of West's conclusions about human sexuality based on his interpretation of Theology of the Body, especially in "Good News about Sex and Marriage", however most of it is rock solid and builds upon our Catholic faith in a way that can help Catholics live fuller marriages.

[Nihil Obstat]

I have a feeling that what he says makes a lot of people uncomfortable, but that by itself isn't a good reason to reject him. Nobody's theology is going to be 100% perfect, and I'm sure he's no exception, but I'd be willing to bet that he's not so bad.

[KnightofChrist]

He compared John Paul II to Hugh Hefner?

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='KnightofChrist' post='1861706' date='May 8 2009, 08:05 AM']He compared John Paul II to Hugh Hefner? [/quote]

[LouisvilleFan]

[quote name='KnightofChrist' post='1861706' date='May 8 2009, 11:05 AM']He compared John Paul II to Hugh Hefner? [/quote]

Well... they both had a theology of the body...

Will have to wait til I get home to watch the video.

[eagle_eye222001]

[quote name='kafka' post='1861626' date='May 8 2009, 02:20 AM']A couple of articles criticizing Christopher West's and other's so called theology of the body:

[url="http://www.newoxfordreview.org/article.jsp?did=0309-mullady"]http://www.newoxfordreview.org/article.jsp?did=0309-mullady[/url]

[url="http://www.scripturecatholic.com/sexuality_qa.html#tob"]http://www.scripturecatholic.com/sexuality_qa.html#tob[/url][/quote]

.....can't access the one. and the other the guy seems to barely see what is going on so it's hard to give credibility to that. Why does the guy seem so negative about Christopher West? Is he really that off the mark? I think this guy almost has an agenda against him.


[quote name='Brother Adam' post='1861692' date='May 8 2009, 09:41 AM']I think many people, and even sometimes Christopher West, misrepresent the teachings found in Theology of the Body (I have read most of the original audiences). Whether it is of great value depends on what you mean by great value. I find the anthropology and sacramentality of great value because I have used JPII's personal theology in my catechesis to open Catholics up to the idea that the Church does not see sexuality as off limits and taboo (They see the Churches moral teaching in an almost Monty Python like philosophy - "Those Catholics have to have a baby every time they have sex").

I disagree with some of West's conclusions about human sexuality based on his interpretation of Theology of the Body, especially in "Good News about Sex and Marriage", however most of it is rock solid and builds upon our Catholic faith in a way that can help Catholics live fuller marriages.[/quote]

I guess it would be incorrect to think that Christopher West is presenting things perfectly, however after witnessing one of his talks, I strongly believe he is of great value to the Church and should not be dismissed. The arguments against him seem to be pretty nit-picky in the current scheme of things and it's not like he is really leading people astray.

He's the best person I've heard to teach about sex in my life so far as far as I can ascertain and I would be willing to bet that his teachings are more align with Catholicism than many Catholic schools.

[quote name='KnightofChrist' post='1861706' date='May 8 2009, 10:05 AM']He compared John Paul II to Hugh Hefner? [/quote]

Have you listened to one of his talks? It actually makes sense when you hear him explain it. He's not completing justifying Hefner and other such people, however, he is pointing out that even some really misguided people have some truth about sex.....they are just wrong in some parts.