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Rating: 
Summary: Excellent resource for Catholic feminists
Review: Although the general topic is theology of the body, this book contains most of John Paul II's teaching on the dignity and vocation of women, including Original "Unity of Man & Woman" and "Mulieris Dignitatem" (On the Dignity and Vocation of Women). "Pope John Paul II on the Genius of Women" (published by the United States Catholic Conference) makes a handy short companion volume. Don't miss out on this book. It's a fascinating read and a resource goldmine.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource for Catholic feminists
Review: Each Wednesday the Pope addresses a general audience at St. Peter's in Rome. This work brilliantly brings together all of Pope John Paul II's general audiences that comprise his "theology of the body."Given between September 1979 and November 1984, these talks provide a thorough catechesis on the bodily dimension of human personhood, sexuality, and marriage in the ligh to Christ and biblical revelation. As a whole, the work presents an insightful look at the meaning of the body. It is a much needed work for our troubled times. The appendix features the Encyclicals Humanae Vitae (Of Human Life) and Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), and the Apostolic Letter On the Dignity and Vocation of Women.
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Summary: What human love was meant to be.
Review: Each Wednesday the Pope addresses a general audience at St. Peter's in Rome. This work brilliantly brings together all of Pope John Paul II's general audiences that comprise his "theology of the body." Given between September 1979 and November 1984, these talks provide a thorough catechesis on the bodily dimension of human personhood, sexuality, and marriage in the ligh to Christ and biblical revelation. As a whole, the work presents an insightful look at the meaning of the body. It is a much needed work for our troubled times. The appendix features the Encyclicals Humanae Vitae (Of Human Life) and Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), and the Apostolic Letter On the Dignity and Vocation of Women.
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Summary: Incisive Catholic exegesis
Review: In conjunction with his "Love & Responsibility," Pope John Paul the Great's series of meditations expertly explains the foundational relationship between men and women with respect to marriage, sexuality and morality. Not only does he expound upon the theology of the body derived from Scripture, though, but also peripherally explains many other elements of Catholic interpretation of the Bible. His clear, concise wisdom touches on topics that include our covenantial relationship with God, living in the Spirit in relation to the Law, and the relative merits of celibacy and marriage, among many others. Theology of the Body is a "must read" for every Catholic, and could be valuable for anyone else as well.
Rating:
Summary: The fruit of this work has yet to be discovered
Review: Pope John Paul II has given us one of the best (if not the best) books of modern theology today. This book is a compilation of many weekly addresses the Pope gave in the early 80's. Now compiled into this one work, we can view the absolute genius of the mind of Pope JPII. His insights into humanity, creation, the human person and the body are without equal. In fact, he may be known for this work more than any other when history judges him in the future. He has given the Church new insights into the dignity of the human person, marriage,... and made it challenging to all of us. If you haven't read any of the Pope's writings, I suggest you start with his encyclicals, and study them hard, before jumping into this work. The Theology of the Body has already started several grass-roots evangelism projects and my guess is that we are only starting to see the fruit this book will bear.
Rating:
Summary: The fruit of this work has yet to be discovered
Review: Pope John Paul II has given us one of the best (if not the best) books of modern theology today. This book is a compilation of many weekly addresses the Pope gave in the early 80's. Now compiled into this one work, we can view the absolute genius of the mind of Pope JPII. His insights into humanity, creation, the human person and the body are without equal. In fact, he may be known for this work more than any other when history judges him in the future. He has given the Church new insights into the dignity of the human person, marriage,... and made it challenging to all of us. If you haven't read any of the Pope's writings, I suggest you start with his encyclicals, and study them hard, before jumping into this work. The Theology of the Body has already started several grass-roots evangelism projects and my guess is that we are only starting to see the fruit this book will bear.
Rating:
Summary: A philosophical masterpiece and a "Theological Time Bomb"
Review: The Theology of the Body is comparable in depth of thought to the works of Augustine and Aquinas. The writings speak to a reader at numerous levels: the personal, the organizational, global, sacramental, familial, paternal, maternal, fraternal, vocational, scriptural, anthropological and many others. The beauty is the integration of teachings at and across each level! The teachings encapsulated within this work synthesize many truths about humanity and Catholic Christianity. The book's writings shed light on the fullness of Truth revealed in and over the fullness of time. What was implied in the truth of the Gospel is revealed in a more explicit way in the Pope's analysis. Topics of interest include: the dignity of the human person, the human body in art versus pornography, the intended relationship between man and woman from the beginning - in the present - and future, what the physical human body reveals about the nature of the person and God, the call to Chastity and Modesty, the universal call to holiness, the mystery of Body of Christ, the mystery of the priesthood, celibacy, and the mystery of the Eucharist and much, much more. The book is a difficult read if you are not familiar with the Pope's method... but well worth it!!
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Summary: Important insights into realist/Christian phenomenology
Review: Those with a philosophical background may regard JPII's leaning toward phenomenology as either a peripheral "quirk" or a departure from traditional (i.e., Aristotelian-Thomist) realism. "Theology of the Body" should dissuade of either conclusion. JPII's approach to phenomenology is foundational to his celebration of human personhood, and totally realist and thus thoroughly compatible with traditional Christian philosophy. The theological significance of JPII's philosophical approach is clearly demonstrated in his phenomenological exegesis of the existential signficance of man's transition from "original solitude" (before Eve's creation) to "original nakedness" (Adam's encounter with Eve). JPII's meditation on how man's personal self-awareness - and thus his personhood - is fulfilled through the bodily disclosure of another person literally "fleshes out" the teaching of the universal Catechism: God is an eternal exchange of Love, in which man is destined to participate (CCC 221). I only regret that the Pope did not develop the analogy implicit in his meditation between the purely relational Personhood of the Blessed Trinity and the nuptial meaning of the human body.
Rating:
Summary: Important insights into realist/Christian phenomenology
Review: Those with a philosophical background may regard JPII's leaning toward phenomenology as either a peripheral "quirk" or a departure from traditional (i.e., Aristotelian-Thomist) realism. "Theology of the Body" should dissuade of either conclusion. JPII's approach to phenomenology is foundational to his celebration of human personhood, and totally realist and thus thoroughly compatible with traditional Christian philosophy. The theological significance of JPII's philosophical approach is clearly demonstrated in his phenomenological exegesis of the existential signficance of man's transition from "original solitude" (before Eve's creation) to "original nakedness" (Adam's encounter with Eve). JPII's meditation on how man's personal self-awareness - and thus his personhood - is fulfilled through the bodily disclosure of another person literally "fleshes out" the teaching of the universal Catechism: God is an eternal exchange of Love, in which man is destined to participate (CCC 221). I only regret that the Pope did not develop the analogy implicit in his meditation between the purely relational Personhood of the Blessed Trinity and the nuptial meaning of the human body.
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