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

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 Pope's 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 II's thought. He probes the philosophical foundations of the Pope's 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 Pope's theology for sexual ethics and provides a novel and provocative application of the theology of the body to the morality of homosexuality. Echeverria's study of John Paul II's theology of the body helps us to make sense of how the pope's 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).

"This book is a stunning achievement. The author's 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 II's Theology of the Body: in the spirit of John Paul II's sophisticated philosophical and theological training, he identifies and justifies many of the philosophical and theological underpinnings of John Paul II's thought; in the spirit of genuine ecumenism, he engages the Dutch Reformed tradition; and in the spirit of John Paul II's scripturally based arguments for the Church's teaching on sexual issues, he applies the Theology of the Body to the issue of homosexuality. Echeverria's book will aid scholars as they approach John Paul II's dense and brilliant work."
–Michael Maria Waldstein
Max Seckler Professor of Theology
Ave Maria University, Florida

"Echeverria's 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

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).