- Christopher West
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This article is about the Catholic author. For the British crime and general fiction writer, Christopher West, see Chris West.
Christopher West (born 1969)[1] is a Catholic author and speaker, best known for his work on Pope John Paul II’s series of audience addresses entitled the Theology of the Body.
Contents
About
West has been delivering lectures since 1997, mostly on topics such as Christian anthropology, the Creed, morality, sacraments, marriage, sexuality, and family life. He has also spoken on national radio and on television. He is one of the main educators in the Theology of the Body Institute, which offers graduate level courses and other training programs on the Theology of the Body.[2]
He and his wife Wendy reside in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (USA),[3] and have five children.
Education
West received a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology in 1992 from the University of Maryland. In 1996 he was certified as an Instructor of Marriage Preparation from the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. In 1997, he obtained a Master of Theological Studies at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at The Catholic University of America,[4] and became a Certified Catechist by the Archdiocese of Denver Catechetical School.
Commentaries
Cecilia LeChevallier, Coordinator, Marriage Preparation and Natural Family Planning, Diocese of Camden, NJ commented that "Christopher West is able to synthesize the Theology of the Body in an understandable and exciting way that gets people excited about it and excited about living it."[5]
Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. Archbishop of Denver says that "Christopher West’s keen grasp of John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and his ability to make it accessible to others is changing lives, strengthening marriages, and renewing people’s faith in the Church across the country and internationally."[5]
Theologian David L. Schindler charged that West promotes a “pansexualist tendency” that ties all important human and supernatural activity back to sex without making necessary distinctions.[6]
Moral theologian Dr. Janet Smith defended West, saying his work is "completely sound" and that she found Schindler's response "puzzling."[7] Smith, in her response to Schindler's critique, says that Schindler "provides a list of his objections to West’s theology without citing one text to substantiate his charges...As it stands, I do not find that his concerns correspond with what I have read in West’s work or heard in his lectures."
Dr. Alice von Hildebrand, widow of the late Catholic theologian Dietrich von Hildebrand, has said West's approach has become too self-assured. She criticized his presentations as irreverent and insensitive to the “tremendous dangers” of concupiscence.[8]
Theologian Michael Waldstein, who wrote the definitive translation of The Theology of the Body, addressed Schindler’s remarks in an essay published on InsideCatholic.com.[9] Waldstein said that Schindler’s essay was a “blanket negative statement” that made “sweeping accusations” against a position he did not recognize as West’s.
Dawn Eden, author of the book The Thrill of the Chaste, published her examination of West’s presentation of John Paul II’s teachings in her master's thesis. Eden commends West's speaking and writing skills, but takes issue with some points of theology that West uses in his ministry.[10]
Justin Cardinal Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, and Kevin Rhoades, Bishop of Harrisburg, issued a joint statement in support of West's work.[11]
They said,
- "We are convinced that John Paul II's Theology of the Body is a treasure for the Church, indeed a gift of the Holy Spirit for our time. Yet, its scholarly language needs to be 'translated' into more accessible categories if the average person is to benefit from it. To do this is the specific mission of the Theology of the Body Institute, and we believe that Christopher West, the Institute's popular lecturer and spokesman, has been given a particular charism to carry out this mission. With great skill as a presenter, with keen insight as a thinker, and with profound reverence for the mystery of human sexuality, he has been able to reach thousands in our sexually wounded culture with the Gospel of salvation in Christ."
West also responded to many of the critiques, acknowledging that "so long as we are on earth, we will always have to battle with concupiscence" and conceding "In some of my earliest lectures and tapes, I confess that I did not emphasize this important point clearly enough."[12] However, he continues with the rhetorical question, taken from Veritatis Splendor 103, "Of which man are we speaking?"[12] and discusses the teaching of John Paul II[13] that "[Christ] has given us the possibility of realizing the entire truth of our being; he has set our freedom free from the domination of concupiscence."[14]
Books
- (2008) Heaven's Song 2008 ISBN 1-934217-46-8
- (2007) The Love that Satisfies 2007 ISBN 1-934217-13-1
- (2004) Theology of the Body for Beginners, 2004 ISBN 1-932645-34-9
- (2004) Good News About Sex and Marriage 2004 ISBN 0-86716-619-3
- Charles J. Chaput comments about this book in this way
- In Good News About Sex and Marriage, Christopher West is articulate, joyful, faithful and absolutely passionate about Jesus Christ. He employs his marvelous gift of making important truths easily accessible, demonstrating the whys behind the whats of Catholic teaching in articulate ways. In Good News About Sex and Marriage, he takes Pope John Paul II's Theology of the body and makes it understandable, compelling and relevant for married couples today. His reflections on the Church and contraception are simply outstanding. In effect, this little volume is a kind of Catechism of Catholic Teaching on sex and marriage and therefore perfect for marriage preparation courses, RCIA, adult education and marriage enrichment. But it is not theoretical work nor a textbook. Rather it is a source of practical nourishment because it continually shows that dealing honestly with issues of sex and marriage brings us face to face with the whole gospel message and the meaning of our lives. It's entitled good news for a good reason: it's a book about our humanity and the human drama of our creation, fall and redemption in Jesus Christ which truly is good news; good news because there is real power in Christ to live the truth.[15]
- (2003) Theology of the Body Explained : A Commentary on John Paul II's "Gospel of the Body" 2003 ISBN 0-8198-7410-8
- (2007) Theology of the Body Explained : A Commentary on John Paul II's Man and Woman He Created Them 2007 ISBN 0-8198-7425-6
References
- ^ "Biographical information for author Christopher West". Google Answers. 2005-03-27. http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=501176. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
- ^ "Theology of the Body Institute"
- ^ About Christopher West
- ^ Christopher West Curriculum Vitae
- ^ a b Theology of the body. http://thetheologyofthebody.com/
- ^ Christopher West ‘significantly’ misrepresents JP II’s thought, leading theologian says
- ^ Moral Theologian says Christopher West's work is 'completely sound'
- ^ Christopher West's ideas on sexuality ignore 'enormous dangers,' Alice von Hildebrand says
- ^ http://insidecatholic.com/Joomla/index.phpoption=com_content&task=view&id=6117&Itemid=48
- ^ "Dawn Eden releases free copy of Theology of the Body thesis on CNA". 2010-08-10. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/dawn-eden-releases-free-copy-of-theology-of-the-body-thesis-on-cna/. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
- ^ http://www.tobinstitute.org/images/TOBI%20Letter%20of%20Support.pdf
- ^ a b Christopher West responds to his critics
- ^ TOB 43:6, 45:3, 46:4, 46:6, 47:5, 48:1, 48:4, 49:4, 49:6, 58:7, 86:6-7, 101:3-5, 107:1-3, 128:3, 129:5
- ^ Veritatis Splendor, 103
- ^ Christopher West, Good News About Sex and Marriage, foreword
External links
Categories:- Living people
- 1969 births
- American Roman Catholics
- American religious writers
- The Catholic University of America alumni
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