"In the Beginning...": A Theology of the Body

Synopsis: One of the most significant contributions of Pope John Paul II to the church and arguably to the culture was his development of a theology of the body. This theology explores the rich meaning and vocation of human embodiment of the body-person in light of the fundamental truths of creation fall into sin and redemption in Jesus Christ. In this book Eduardo J. Echeverria inquires into the biblical theological and philosophical foundations of the Popes theology of the body. In a wide-ranging discussion of a Catholic theology of revelation biblical hermeneutics and a biblical perspective on the Christ-centered dynamics of the moral life Echeverria clearly establishes the fundamental principles needed for a full understanding of John Paul IIs thought. He probes the philosophical foundations of the Popes thought in the context of a Catholic theology of nature sin and grace. The book concludes with an analysis of the normative implications of the Popes theology for sexual ethics and provides a novel and provocative application of the theology of the body to the morality of homosexuality. Echeverrias study of John Paul IIs theology of the body helps us to make sense of how the popes theology deepens our understanding of the Catholic teaching that the human body shares in the dignity of the image of God (Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 364). Endorsements: This book is a stunning achievement. The authors sophisticated biblical philosophical and theological explanation of the Theology of the Body makes manifest that homosexual activity fails to foster the true flourishing of persons and communities. As if this were not contribution enough Echeverria has given us the first study of the Theology of the Body that takes evangelical Reformed theology as its conversation partner. Offering an extraordinary opportunity for Catholic-Evangelical dialogue this book simply could not have come at a better time. -Matthew Levering Professor of Theology University of Dayton Co-Director Center for Catholic-Evangelical Dialogue Echeverria provides three very valuable services to the growing scholarship on John Paul IIs Theology of the Body: in the spirit of John Paul IIs sophisticated philosophical and theological training he identifies and justifies many of the philosophical and theological underpinnings of John Paul IIs thought; in the spirit of genuine ecumenism he engages the Dutch Reformed tradition; and in the spirit of John Paul IIs scripturally based arguments for the Churchs teaching on sexual issues he applies the Theology of the Body to the issue of homosexuality. Echeverrias book will aid scholars as they approach John Paul IIs dense and brilliant work. -Michael Maria Waldstein Max Seckler Professor of Theology Ave Maria University Florida Echeverrias penetrating study provides the proper theological and philosophical foundations that the theology of the body requires with erudite discussions of the epistemic authority of Scripture and tradition the nature of doctrinal statements and an appropriate biblical hermeneutics. The author boldly tackles the vexing issues surrounding homosexuality while offering a compelling and fully ecumenical exploration into the questions raised by human sexuality in general. An extraordinary and convincing achievement. -Thomas G. Guarino Seton Hall University Author Biography: Eduardo J. Echeverria is Professor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of Theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary Detroit Michigan. He is the author of Dialogue of Love: Confessions of an Evangelical Catholic Ecumenist (2010).