Gift and Communion: John Paul II's Theology of the Body

Gift and Communion offers a critical presentation of John Paul II's theology of the body, understood in the light of Christian theological tradition. The main thesis of the book is that John Paul II's theology of the body forms a new, inspiring approach to Christian ethics and the theology of marriage and family, as well as to theological anthropology. A central thrust of Gift and Communion is to treat theology of the body -- as it deserves -- in all its philosophical and theological seriousness and to present it as an important stage in the historical development of Catholic theology. This new approach combines a hermeneutical, post-modern reading of the holy scriptures with an attempt to interpret the biblical text in the light of important currents of Western philosophy as well as Catholic theological tradition. Gift and Communion critically evaluates the method, fundamental notions, and significance of John Paul II's thought, places his thought in the context of contemporary challenges to Christian belief and presents it as an important stage in the historical development of Catholic tradition.