Following the Discussion on JPII's Theology of the Body

What’s the proper interpretation of Pope John Paul II’s teachings on the human person, love and sexuality? While championing the goodness of the body, do we risk underemphasizing our tendencies to sin? Has John Paul II’s “theology of the body” been distilled into a “theology of sex”? And finally, what balance must be struck when presenting such a profound, sensitive teaching – making theology of the body accessible to a modern culture, while neither compromising nor sensationalizing its depth and breadth?

These questions and more have made up the discussion on Christopher West’s interpretation and presentation of the theology of the body over the past few weeks. The debate was spurred by an appearance of West – arguably the most widely publicized author and lecturer on the theology of the body in at least English-speaking media – on ABC’s Nightline, when he suggested a “very profound historical connections” between Pope John Paul II and Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, as well as described the Book of the Song of Songs as the Bible’s “centerfold.”

West and the Theology of the Body Institute, of which he is senior fellow, quickly issued a statement  about the interview. The statement said that while West and the TOB Institute were pleased that the show exposed more people to Pope John Paul II’s teachings, ABC “failed to provide the larger context Christopher offered in his extended interview.”

Critics, however, found the moment an opportunity to discuss what they see as fundamentally flawed in West’s theology as a whole. One of the most prominent voices in this camp is Dr. David Schindler, provost and dean of the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, whose original criticism prompted defenses from other theologians and writers close to West.

The following is a list of responses to West’s work that have come out since the Nightline interview:

Critics:

• Catholic theologians Alice von Hildebrand, Mary Shivanandran and Fr. José Granados in an article from Catholic News Agency

• Dr. David Schindler of the Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family – and West’s own, former professor – on “Christopher West’s Theology of the Body.” 

• Fr. José Granados, a professor at the John Paul II Institute and co-author of “Called to Love: Approaching John Paul II’s Theology of the Body,” in a statement published in its entirety on Headline Bistro.

• Schindler again, this time in “Response to Profs. Smith and Waldstein Regarding Christopher West.” 

Defenders:

• Professor Janet Smith’s first response to Schindler, entitled “Moral Theologian Says Christopher West’s Work is ‘Completely Sound.’” Smith, who holds the Father Michael J. McGivney Chair of Life Ethics at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Mich., is also teaching a course in theology of the body with West this summer.

• Dr. Michael Waldstein of Ave Maria University, a translator of Pope John Paul II’s writings on theology of the body, in “Translator of John Paul II’s Original Work Defends Christopher West.”

• Dr. Michael J. Healy of Franciscan University of Steubenville, in "Christopher West: A Von Hildebrandian's Perspective."

• Matthew Pinto, president of Ascension Press and a publisher of West’s work, in “By His Fruits You Shall Know Him: A Defense of Christopher West.”

• A second response from Smith, in “A Call for Fair Treatment of West.”

• Waldstein again, in “The Pattern of Christopher West’s Theology.”

• Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, and Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Harrisburg, issued a statement of support for Christopher West's work with the Theology of the Body Institute, which is located in Pennsylvania.