FREE Talks in Madison: Christopher West is making two appearances in Madison, Wisconsin this February, so mark your calendars, Wisconsonians.

God, Sex, and the Meaning of Life

Date(s): February 18th, 7pm
Location: Univ. of Wisconsin/Madison – The Great Hall in the Memorial Union
716 Langdon Street
Madison WI, 53706
Contact: Nico Fassimo
Phone: 612-867-6780
Email: nicofassino@gmail.com
Cost: This is a free event!
Description: This talk introduces a new “vision for life” designed for those who are new to the Theology of the Body. The message can be life-changing. Many will come to see, perhaps for the first time, who they really are—and who they are called to be. God’s plan for us is stamped right into our bodies, and understanding this plan will give attendees a new lens through which to see their lives, relationships, and the world around them. Christopher West will address and answers some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Mike Mangione will also be performing.

Your Call to Greatness–St. Therese Lecture Series

Date(s): February 19th, 7pm (RSVP–seating is limited)
Location: Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center
702 South High Point Road
Madison WI, 53744
Contact: Andy Galvin
Phone: 608-821-4517
Email: andy.galvin@straphael.org
Description: This talk introduces a new “vision for life” designed for those who are new to the Theology of the Body. The message can be life-changing. Many will come to see, perhaps for the first time, who they really are—and who they are called to be. God’s plan for us is stamped right into our bodies, and understanding this plan will give attendees a new lens through which to see their lives, relationships, and the world around them. Christopher West will address and answers some of the most fundamental questions of human existence.

This is a somewhat old article, but after my initial blog posts on the Christopher West controversy sparked by his appearance on Nightline this past May, I thought I’d follow up by posting his response.

I think he does this in a spirit of humility, not shying away from his shortcomings, but really owning what it is that he does. He has mad gifts, you have to admit. As a former facilitator of the God’s Plan Program and occasional Theology of the Body teacher and speaker, Christopher West, while not always perfect and academically precise as his critics would like, is a gift to the Church. So many people have come to embrace the teachings of HMC through John Paul’s TOB as taught by West. For this we should rejoice.

If you’re new to the Theology of the Body revolution, see “Recommended Resources” for a kick start.

Dr. Janet Smith, for starters.

I like Janet Smith a lot. Not only is she incredibly smart, but in a debate or discussion, she’s a heat seeking missile of clear thinking. She sums up a lot of things in a relatively short space. She doesn’t demonize David Schindler because she disagrees with him, and even offers that she would be interested in a more sustained explanation/ discussion on his critiques.

While Mark Shea has closed court  on the Chrisopher West/ Nightline controversy (though he admits not having read Christopher West’s work), Father Angelo Geiger, F.I., guest blogs on the Dawn Patrol with a reasoned criticism of West’s portrayal of Theology of the Body with no little admiration for his work. He begins with a review of the current debate context:

“It is likely to turn into something like a Harry Potter debate: the Chris West Haters vs. the Chris West Groupies. Eventually we won’t even remember the real issues at hand.”

His main criticisms center around what appears to be a discontinuity hermeneutic of West’s presentation of TOB, a “concupiscence light” approach–underestimating our weakness in the area of sexuality, and an apologetic approach that doesn’t dig deeper into a catechetical and contemplative approach.

“Is my interpretation of West a bit facile? But this is the problem with trying to popularize a work of deep theology and philosophy. It is not even clear to me whether West is engaged in apologetics or catechesis. The two are not the same thing. Apologetics is a kind of preamble to catechesis that elicits the assent of faith in respect to difficult truths by way of arguments that are easily understood and appealing to someone who has no basic understanding of revelation. Catechesis is sacramental preparation or ongoing education, based on faith already elicited.”

Again, while I am grateful for West’s work in spreading the Gospel with Theology of the Body, I have seen a lot of CW “groupies” who show a real infatuation with Theology of the Body. They’ve experienced an initial conversion, perhaps, but they’ve not dug deeper, and often times continue to make grave mistakes in their spiritual and relational lives. Surely this is not completely West’s fault, but I think we as well as West have take a close look at these criticisms, and do a serious examination of conscience on TOB and our own lives.

Perhaps we’ll see that we’re in a balanced and thriving place, but perhaps we have a lot of room to grow…and suffer.

What do you think?

Update 2: A very reasonable response from Jimmy Akin supportive of West.

(Newly Updated 5/8/09)
ABC’s Nightline did a piece tonight on Christopher West and Theology of the Body tonight, and I tuned in to see how badly the media would mess it up.

View the video here.

But guess what? It was brilliant. Zero trace of anti-Catholicism, and several money moments for telling the Good News of Sex and Marriage, complete with married couples’ testimonies, the bulimia-contraception analogy, and the mutual climax quote from John Paul II (You’ve got to see the clip or read the books to know what I’m talking about).

A downside in trying to pack in so much in ten minutes is that you leave out all of the dimensions of the Theology of the Body, like the beauty of vocation, celibacy and consecrated life, its implications for art, liturgy and beyond. As I said recently to a friend, sometimes people get the idea (as it would be easy to) that TOB is “Theology of the Genitals,” when, in fact, it’s Theology of the Body, Soul and entire person.

Another critique I have, which is probably a critique that many have of Christopher West, is that if you didn’t know Christopher West, Theology of the Body, and the context, he might come off a little like a sex maniac. However, if you know how far he’s come in his personal and professional development, you get it. West is really good at what he does–communicating and getting one’s attention so that he can share Theology of the Body. This is a message people need to hear, and one that has affected the lives of so many already.

Did you see it? What did you think?

Things you can do:

• Read Theology of the Body for Beginners, or buy it for someone who’s not read it
• Pray for hearts and minds of those who saw this tonight to be opened
• Thank ABC (see link above) for doing a piece on TOB

Update: Read CNA’s Interview with West regarding the “sensationalism” of the interview content.
Update 2: CNA’s Interview with Dr. Alice Von Hildebrand, Mary Shivanandan, and Fr. Jose Granados.

Update 3: Facebook conversation on Natural Family Planning discussion board.

Wide in its scope, at once both modern and ancient, the Theology of the Body addresses the deepest questions of life. It proposes a vision of love for our times and experiences. Given as a series of talks by the late Pope John Paul II, the “Theology of the Body” is a profound reflection on the biblical understanding of love.It illuminates the meaning of our bodies, sex, and marital love. It emphasizes our dignity as men and women, the goodness of the body and sexuality, and our call to live in full freedom and joy. Through the mystery of the body, each of us can come to know our particular calling to image God’s love in the world.

Whether you are single, dating, married, or consecrated…whoever you are and wherever you are coming from, this message is for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. 

 About “To Fill These Hearts Full: God, Sex, and the Universal Longing” Valentine’s Day Workshop
Providing a rich, poetic backdrop throughout the event will be indie-musician Mike Mangione and The Band whose music explores the themes of the Theology of the Body in a subtle, organic, dynamic and expressive sound. 

If you’ve never heard of the Theology of the Body before, this is for you.

If you’ve attended a Theology of the Body Workshop before, this is something new. Bring a friend, family member, or significant other.
Invite someone you know who just might be curious.

Expect a series of provocative talks that stir the soul, move the heart and pique the intellect. Through theological reflection, humor, and our everyday experiences, Christopher West will unpack for you the message of the Theology of the Body in a language and application that everyone can appreciate, whatever your background or beliefs.