The Pattern of Christopher West's Theology

by Dr. Michael Waldstein
Max Seckler professor of theology
Ave Maria University

In his second piece about Christopher West, the theological substance of which I find excellent and very helpful, David Schindler writes, “What [Waldstein]  dismisses as ‘a few anecdotes’ and ‘snippets of texts’ in fact indicate a  pattern in the order and emphasis of West’s theology over the years… Does [Waldstein] see no pattern?” I do indeed see a pattern. Yet, in surveying what I know of West’s work as a whole I do not see the pattern of Schindler’s list.  I see another pattern.

I do not want to defend everything West has said in the decade since he graduated from the John Paul II Institute. I do not want to defend everything I have said in the two decades since I graduated from Harvard, not even everything I have said in print. What I want to defend is the overall pattern of West’s theology. Certainly, West is the first to admit that in the difficult task of communicating the teaching of John Paul II to a popular audience he has experimented and made mistakes. He still sees himself as experimenting. I have found him truly humble and open to change. 

The best way to show the pattern of West’s theology would be to present the evidence of his recent writings and talks as a systematic whole. This demonstration would require a lengthy article or a small book. In this forum, what I would like to offer is a personal testimony.

In 2003, I spent a sabbatical semester at Notre Dame to work on the Theology of the Body. It struck me that there were very few among the faculty and students who had even heard of it. An embargo seemed to be placed on papal teaching. I felt a bit like smuggling Cuban cigars into the US. After Mass one day, I met a group of undergraduates who had heard a series of talks given by West. Their lives had been transformed. What particularly struck me was that the fruit of West’s impact on them was primarily the awakening of a love for Christ as the Redeemer. They were, of course, also fascinated with the new insight into the meaning of their sexuality, but this fascination did not occupy the center.  Christ did. I asked myself, “Who is this Christopher West who is doing honor to his name, Christ-bearer?” I began to read his writings. They confirmed the perception I had of him through the students.

When  I was working on the new translation of the Theology of the Body, I contacted  West, because I thought his experience of teaching the text over and over  again would be valuable in helping me find a language for the translation that  would make it more intelligible and communicable. An extensive email exchange followed, in which we went sentence by sentence through the whole text. In many instances the translation questions were connected with theological questions and I came to respect West’s theological judgment.

Since I had come to know him primarily as a “virtual West” in these emails, the desire awoke in me to meet him in person. I invited myself and spent several days at his house. We talked intensely for hours and hours and the foundation of a strong friendship was formed, rooted in a common love for John Paul II and in a common—though also perceptively different—understanding of the Theology of the Body. Our backgrounds and sensibilities are very different.

I had not heard any of West’s talks until he gave a paper in Austria during a conference on the Theology of the Body in May 2007. Once again, I was struck by the centering of his teaching on Christ. 

In March 2008 the two of us took a trip through Poland to see the sites of John Paul II and to speak with Cardinal Dziwisz, John Paul II’s personal secretary, and other persons who had been close to the great Pope. We were particularly moved when Cardinal Dziwisz showed us the little writing table on which Archbishop Wojtyła wrote the Theology of the Body. It stood at the very front left side of the Archbishop’s chapel, about nine feet from the tabernacle. The trip, of course, offered many occasions for conversation and argument about the meaning of John Paul II’s teaching. West gave a series of talks at the famous Ark Church built by Cardinal Wojtyla in Nowa Huta, attended not only by a large crowd of students, but by Cardinal Dziwisz himself, who congratulated West on his understanding and presentation. 

That  West and I would spend a weekend together at Saskatoon right after the  controversy about his Nightline interview had exploded was, of course,  extremely interesting for me. I could see West in action with a popular audience. I attended all four talks, each of them an hour long. I felt like the mythical Greek giant Argus Panoptes, Hera’s watchman, whose whole body was covered with sleepless eyes (except that mine was covered with ears as well).  With all the objections against West vividly in my mind I paid close attention to every detail of his presentation. I could not see anything that corresponded to the accusations against him; I could not detect any of the pattern of Schindler’s list. What I saw was what I had felt from a distance when I met the Notre Dame undergraduates in 2003. I saw a teaching centered on Christ, faithful to the text and spirit of John Paul II. 

After his talks, West and I read and discussed Schindler’s second piece, in particular the second half, in which Schindler spells out his own theological vision of the Theology of the Body in more detail. Neither of us disagreed with the important points he was making.  In fact, I was all the more confirmed that Schindler was critiquing a Christopher West other than the one I know.  For I had just witnessed West in his four compelling and passionately delivered presentations, making most of the points and offering many of the important qualifications that Schindler believes are lacking. The disparity between the West that Schindler describes and the West I know is considerable.

I agree with Schindler that it is time for patient reflection. And for those who critique West that should include patient reflection on West's more current work, especially the new edition of his commentary Theology of the Body Explained. I would also like to recommend that the debate focus on the substantive issues that arise among those who study the Theology of the Body, West included. 

Waldstein is the Max Seckler professor of theology at Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Florida.  A member of the Pontifical Council for the Family, one of Waldstein's published works is a translation of Pope John Paul II's writings on theology of the body.



Please note that all comments are moderated.

*Name:
 
 

Waldstein re: West

I've introduced West's TOB DVD's to our parish and they were very well received. One comment was "How come we're just hearing about this?"
     After reading Schindler's first letter I felt angry and deceived and was ready to stop using West's material. Thanks to Dr. Janet Smith, Michael Healy, and your article I am back on track.m Thank you.

Jerry Fournier

red herring

Thank you, Dr. Waldstein, for this article.  I find many of the criticisms against West to be unfounded, and reflects either ignorance or misunderstanding of what West says.  West's presentation is unique in that he does not give "quotable quotes" or standalone modules.  Everything West says has to be considered in the totality of his presentations.  In all the dvds I've listen to, West is always careful to explain and clarify his analogies, and always tells us to test the spirit and test what he says against Church teachings.  If one nods off, one misses these qualifications.

The "theological issues" raised against West are red herrings, because they are unfounded if one carefully considers his work.  Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said to pay attention not so much to what a person says but to why he says it.  I wonder what the red herrings are hiding.

Without West's work, it would be impossible to me to even try and understand TOB, not having any background in theology, philosophy, scriptural studies and other learning necessary to understand TOB.  If even my bishop finds TOB difficult, where does that leave people like me?  West has the gift of making TOB understandable to unlearned lay people, so that they can then read TOB for themselves.  Of course, some people will have a distorted understanding of TOB.  That's to be expected of us fallen humans.

Actually, without West, I would never have even heard of TOB.  And it's already 30 years old!  And many priests, particularly the older ones, would never have heard of it too.  Without West, TOB would remain an academic subject.

Dr. Schindler should be very proud and pleased that his pupil/disciple has become an apostle.  That is testimony to Dr. Schindler's teaching ability.  The seed Dr. Schindler planted has produced a rich harvest.  That West is doing greater things than his teacher is to be rejoiced at.  Even Jesus said his disciples will do greater things that He.

Another thing ... I wonder whether the criticisms of West do not mask criticism of JP2.  After all, West is only trying to explain JP2's TOB, not his own propositions.

Agnes

Thank you

When I read Schindler's criticism of West, I thought that Schinder is reacting to West's early work, Naked Without Shame, first edition, and not his more mature and seasoned work.

This intuition was confirmed in Schindler's second article in which he references this work explicitly, no less than on cassette tape! To give everyone an idea of how out dated this work is, none of West work from the last 7 years is even available on cassette tape!

Has Dr. Schindler even gone to see West's presentations in person? Has he listened carefully to his most recent presentations on CD (or DVD!). Has he read through his Theology of the Body Explained?

I respect David Schindler's work very much, but I think he owes West an apology. Schindler should have the humility to shadow West for a week or two to really delve deeply into his work as it has matured since graduating from the JP II Institute and started this mission.

Schindler is criticizing West's very first attempt to record a comprehensive audio series! That series was retired and done over again as Naked Without Shame, 2nd Ed. That edition itself is dated, being recorded in 2002. Since then West has refined his work, written several books and spoken to thousands and thousands of people. Would you judge Shakespeare based on his first sonnet or the body of work produced at the peak of his career?

Can you imagine, West is easily the JP II Institute's greatest achievement vis-a-vis impacting the culture with the vision and teaching of JP II, and yet, the Dean doesn't even do West the courtesy of spending a weekend with him, never mind taking the time to become an intimate mentor who has earned the right to give careful criticism for the good of the mission.

Why would Schindler alienate the Institute's most famous and successful graduate?

In Schindler's critique there is too much of the whiff of academic elitism, the ivory tower in this case being an obstacle to real communion and friendship on the part of Schindler.

Dr. Schindler, if you are reading this, you owe Christopher more than what you have given him.

I challenge you to humbly spend the time to get to know West today, go to his talks and watch the faces of the young people he is reaching, sit and eat with his wife and family and listen to the heart of this man and the challenges he faces.

Ask yourself if he is executing the mission of the John Paul II Institute.

Ask yourself if he deserves an apology from you.

The stakes are too high to attack a ministry that is reaping such fruit, without investing more than an exchange of letters. Walk a mile with him first Dr. Schindler, two if you are generous.

Columcille

Subtance?

I find it odd that Prof. Waldenstein first accuses Dr. Schindler of not making substantive remarks about West's theological ruminations, then when Schindler clarifies his statement again, and makes precise his points, Waldenstein chooses to respond with a personal reflection on what good fishing buddies he and West are, oh, and, by the way, we should trust his theological positions because Waldenstein sees nothing wrong with them.

Pardon my lack of trust in Prof. Waldenstein, but does he have reasons for this trust, other than looking at an old desk that John Paul II used?

Stephen Sanchez

Schindler's off-base

Thank you for your educated, response...I agree with Agnes's mentioning of Archbishop Fulton Sheen's advice to pay attention not so muchto what a person says but to why he says it.

I don't think Schindler did a good job to address his PERSONAL concerns of West's approach and analysis of JP II's teaching...but what Schindler does specfically in his scathing column is cut down Church teaching itself.

Schindler is completely off-base and should be ashamed of himself.

John Book

And where is West?

I find the defense of Mr. West by Janet Smith and Prof. Waldstein more and more worrisome.

Following their logic, there is simply no possibility whatsoever to criticize West, because everything is always "taken out of context." The last time I heard the same argument to prevent an honest discussion about dangerous theological discussions was with French Modernist Loisy and liberation theologian Leonardo Boff.

I have seen West embarrassing people because they don't follow his plays or laugh at his vulgar language, I have seen put a show and use a language completely improper in front of the Holy Sacrament and many other acts that are absolutely imprudent. West has a problem with PRUDENCE. He should acknowledge that. I find find profoundly disturbing that West, instead of responding with the humility his friends proclaim he has, has opted to hire a PR firm to handle this.

How can West appear honest and how can there be an honest discussion if he is not willing to change his imprudence?

Michael Orozco

 The problem is prudence...and maybe humility

I am an admirer of Chris West's TOB, but I also think he should be more careful and prudent. Why it is so hard for him and his supporters to admit this is an issue?

West's defenders -whom I would gladly join if they were a bit more objective- argue that West is working in the frontiers, in the borders of theology and pastoral. He is indeed. But again, prudence demands that those experimenting in the frontiers refrain from being front line promoters. If West wants to be the great frontier man he is proclaiming the TOB, then he should stick to solid, unquestionable forms and content.

He can't have it both ways: either he chooses to be a frontier scholar, investigating and experimenting in a closed academic environment, or he becomes a successful but prudent announcer. Anything in between risks turning Chris into slightly less than a snake oil seller.

Please Chris! Speak up! Even Letterman was able to say "I was wrong and I'll try to do better," Is that so hard for a Catholic speaker?

K.C. Jones

 Theology Of the Body is essential to the Church

Thank you for this article. "Theology of the Body", should be part of the curriculum of every Catholic High School, College and University. No doubt, this should be introduced to the University of Notre Dame, for had it been visable at the University to begin with, Notre Dame would not have appeared at Commencement as a contra-versity.

Nancy Danielson

 A Different Article?

My comments are: Steve,  You seem to have read a different article than the one posted above.  The things Dr. Waldstein mentioned that would show his knowledge of Mr. West's work include:

1.  His meeting of students at Notre Dame in 1993 who were transformed by hearing Mr. West and whose lives were now centered on Christ.

2.  Collaborating with Mr. West during Dr. Waldstein's translation of the new TOB text.

3.  Hearing Mr. West speak in Austria in 2007.

4.  Traveling with Mr. West to Poland in 2008 and having Pope John Paul II's secretary compliment Mr. West on his understanding AND presentation of TOB.

5.  Listening to Mr. West speak after the controversy became public and critiquing his presentation from the perspective of those expressing concern and finding no problems.

6.  Sitting down with Mr. West and discussing Dr. Schindler's critique and finding no fault with Mr. West's theological understanding.

I somehow missed the part about fishing.

Lauretta

I recently picked up Waldstein's translation of the Pope's series of talks "Man and Women he Created Them." Arguments from authority are the weakest arguments, but it is impressive to note some things about Waldstein.

He has a Th.D. from Harvard and a Ph.D. in philosophy. He earned tenure at Notre Dame. He has eight children. He is a member of the pontifical council on the family. This man is probably the MOST impressive scholar I have seen publishing on this issue. I do trust his opinion.

Arguments from personal experience are also weak, but this must be said. Personally speaking I would NEVER have been exposed to the Church's wonderful teachings on marriage and the family were it not for Janet Smith (her Contraception Why Not? was most convincing to us) and Chris West. The other scholars here maintain a much lower profile, are not as popularly accessible, and therefore are less effective at putting this message in people's faces (which is where it needs to be)

Saving souls matters. My soul matters. Why are we attacking some of the most effective evangelizers in the Church? It seems that me that some are asking West to take an approach that will be less effective at convincing people to throw their contraceptives in the garbage. That, to my mind, is dangerous.

As to the arguments made by West's critics themselves, they seem to be little more than critiques of his style. West uses language that is overly romantic etc. etc. However, the people West is trying to reach are VERY removed from Church teaching, and have been very informed by the larger culture. It is impossible for me to see how we will reach them if we do not try to reach them where they are.

Finally I close with a question. How much of this is indicative of a possible weakness in Theology of the Body itself? Traditional Church teaching has always been that contraceptives are immoral, parents are called to be generous in bringing new life into the world, and for serious (grave) reason parents can make use of periodic abstinence to avoid conception. These reasons rest with the conscience of the parents.... and God. That is core of Catholic teaching; the core that is found in Humane Vitae and the unchanging teaching of the Church.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but it is my understanding that TOB was not an exercise of the Magesterium the way Humane Vitae was. If Chris West doesn't contradict what the Church has always taught on this issue (and I think it is clear he does not) then why all the public criticism?

connecticut Knight

 I disagreed w/West approach in the past and I disagree w/his approach now.  I suggest he go back to the basic of love.  Read Love and Responsibility over and over again till he gets it right. 

Love and Responsibility and TOB are based on the dignity of the human being.  Where, tell me, is the dignity of human beings, esp. women, in his mentioning of that idiot man, Hefner.  Who is so selfish. 

If West should continue w/his approach, I do not think he will have the following he should have.  He has right now the following of the people he is catering to.  Namely, the sex obssessed world.  Look around u, look what pornography is doing to our kids. 

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his very soul. 

May God have mercy on our souls.  Will pray Divine Mercy Chaplet for you daily...for all of confused souls.  I do not think u are heeding the word of God in the manner it is supposed to be taken.  God bless.

Mercee

 Mercee complains, "If West should continue w/his approach, I do not think he will have the following he should have.  He has right now the following of the people he is catering to.  Namely, the sex obssessed world." But it is the sex-obsessed world that needs to hear the message of the Theology of the Body. It is not the chaste, non-contracepting, orthodox Catholics who need to be converted by a dynamic presentation of TOB. It is those who have been seduced by Hugh Hefner and the sexual revolution. If these people are listening to Christopher West, then Mercee and his other critics should be saying, "Thank God for Christopher West," not "This man talks to sinners."

naturgesetz

My comments are based on Christopher West's "The Truth About Sex and Marriage,"revised editon. When West presents the teaching of The Theology of the Body, he does so in a dignified and clear manner. But when he adds his own take on certain issues, he is no longer speaking as a professor.
 

Then his voice changes into one that is not consistent. He goes down to a lower level with such inappropriate language as "doggy-style."  He states Church teaching when he writes that premarital sex is wrong, but then slips into  the realm of pop psychology when he says that some friends of his who had their first child arrive  too early will have to discuss the timing of the child's conception in the future and offer the child an apology!  He also, while discouraging an act usually indulged in by homosexuals, contradicts himself by stating that if this act is  only partial, "Perhaps in some abstract, objective sense there is nothing to condemn [this act] as absolutely and in every case immoral." How he can justify such an inherently sterile, objectively disordered act boggles my mind, especially after reading his exposition of material from "Theology of the Body."  His standards are so elevated  that he condemns licit sexual relations between a married couple unless they are engaged in for the highest reasons--he does not allow for "the relief of concupiscence," although the Church does; he states that  "it's not necessary (and, in fact, could be unloving) to resolve that 'we are having sex in order to have a baby.'"

In the "Nightline" interview, the interviewer has some insights. He states that West is "not your average sex guru." Given that West presents his material live to the public, has sold more than 1 million books, and more than 3 million CDs, I think the term is appropriate.  Actually, the reviewer has the same reaction as I do to West's viewpoint. West asks, "How do we live our sexuality in a way that points us to ultimate love and ultimate  happiness and ultimate fulfillment?" The interviewer replies,  "Talk about performance pressure!"

The interview opens by presenting Hugh Hefner and John Paul II as West's heroes. I think this is revealing because West has such a distorted view of Hefner:"I think I understand his ache,...his longing ...for love,... union, ...intimacy."  How about Hefner's longing to  be a millionaire and to achieve his desire by creating a magazine that promotes fornication and is a "tool" to facilitate solitary sexual  release?

The problem is not that West "talks to sinners"; the problem is what he says!

min-bee