I’ve written before about Pope John Paul II’s “theology of the body”, including a recent review of Christopher West’s “Theology of the Body Explained”. The Pope’s dense teachings on human sexuality, marriage, and identity begged for popularization, and West was one of the first to answer that call. But lately, other authors exploring the “theology of the body” have been producing books left and right.
One recent contribution comes from William May, an emeritus professor of moral theology and longtime teacher of the “theology of the body”. May’s recent book, “Theology of the Body In Context” (Pauline Books, paperback, 170 pages), places John Paul’s 126 original teachings in the context of his other writings on similar themes, including:
- His 1960 book, “Love and Responsibility”
- His 1981 apostolic exhortation, “Familiaris Consortio” (On the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World)
- His 1988 apostolic letter, “Mulieris Dignitatem” (On the Dignity and Vocation of Women)
- His 1994 apostolic letter, “Letters to Families”
May’s book summarizes each of the above writings in a separate chapter, mingling large chunks of the Pope’s original text with May’s own commentary. Throughout the book, May reveals overlapping themes shared among these writings, as well as the development of the Pope’s understanding of human sexuality over time.
“Theology of the Body In Context” is not a beginner’s book on John Paul’s teachings; the book assumes a general familiarity with the “theology of the body” and the Pope’s other works. In addition, May’s writing is almost as thick as the Pope’s, requiring patience and discipline to fully comprehend. For these reasons, “Theology of the Body In Context” will primarily appeal to advanced students of the “theology of the body”, those interested in the full depth of John Paul’s teachings.
(This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Theology of the Body in Context.)