The 2009

Christopher
West
controversy: A
report
Here is the original ABC news program that caused the controversy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hli9xccpPBg&feature=player_embedded

Make no doubt about it. Christopher West is definitely a top legend,

helping to promote John Paul's theology of the body, popularizing the
message to the ends of the earth, bringing hope, happiness and
healing to thousands upon thousands of people. He can't but avoid
being controversial given that sexuality is a fairly delicate area to be
discussing and it's impossible not to offend at least someone from
either end of the sensitivity spectrum.

So far, in the defending corner we have Janet Smith and Michael

Waldstein.

In the critical corner, we have Fr Jose Granados, David

Schindler and Dr. Alice von Hildebrand who thinks that he uses far too
radical language and ignores the issue of concupiscence.

Personally, I consider Christopher West is an outstanding labourer in

the vineyard. I'm sure this controversy is in fact getting more people
interested in the theology of the body. Sometimes we need others to
criticize us just to make sure that actually we are still saying the truth.
The then Cardinal Ratzinger used to say that he would have to
examine his conscience if he did not read anything critical about
himself on a regular basis!

News comes today that some Bishops in America are supporting

Christopher West in his work, after the recent controversy following
the ABC interview. David Schindler, Dean at the JP2 institute in
Washington, criticized West for, "misonstruing the meaning of
concupiscence, stressing purity of intention one-sidedly when talking
about problems of lust."

Christopher West writes in his book Theology of the body explained, “If
Christ wants all men and women to realize they are subject to
concupiscence, he also wants them to realize that he makes the grace
of redemption available to them with real power to transform their
hearts.” (p365). Earlier he says that the Church’s teachings on sexual
morality are a call for men and women to embrace their own
greatness. The body reveals the dignity of mankind. That sounds fairly
balanced to me!
In my opinion, West is a legend who has helped to transform the lives
of thousands of people, bringing them to a fuller relationship with
Jesus Christ by unpacking the teachings of theology of the body.

Matthew Pinto has written a great article recently defending

Christopher West from some attacks. He puts the debate back in
perspective once more and shows us what is really going on. The
debate erupted after West's appearance on ABC News.

Pinto states that West has done a tremendous job popularizing the
message of the theology of the body and this is "stimulating vocations
to consecrated life, strengthening youth, saving marriages, and saving
babies worldwide."

He mentions a bishop who told West, "They will expect perfection of

you." Also, he recognizes that by the sheer nature of the work that he
is doing, there will undeniably be contraversy and statement will need
further clarification.

In the most brilliant passage, Pinto states, "But while millions are
drowning in a sea of filth advanced by our sexually-twisted media
culture, Christopher is one of very few hazarding a high seas rescue
mission and giving people a hand into the boat. Never has such a
mission been so badly needed. Within the next 10 years, probably half
the states in the U.S. will have embraced same-sex marriage. Already,
most Catholics of child-bearing age have rejected Church teaching on
contraception. And on this very day, more than 3,600 children will be
killed in their mother’s womb. Yet some of our fellow Catholics have
felt it important to spend their energies publicly lancing one of their
own."

This is a very accurate and blunt description of what is happening in

our topsy turvy world. God willing, I'll work as a chastity speaker to
promote the good news about sex and marriage.

Christopher West responded to some of his critics with a new article

for LSN (LifeSiteNews). The main question that he asked is what help
grace does in this life against disordered sexual tendencies. That is
where the controversy lies. He does not deny that we have to battle
with concupiscence (see the Catechism 405, 978, 1264, 1426), and
John Paul says that Christ has set us free from the domination of
concupiscence (Veritatis Splendour n. 103). Liberation from
concupiscence is not only a possibility, but a necessity if we are to live
our lives in the truth according to John Paul II.

A selection of articles: (courtesy of Witnesstolove.blogspot.com).

Christopher West, Hugh Hefner and the "Theology of the Body" (Alice von
Hildebrand/Mary Shivanandan critique West)

Christopher West and Theology of the Body (again) (David Schindler's critique of
West)

Christopher West, the Pill and the cost of family breakdown(Janet Smith defends
West)

Michael Waldstein on Christopher West and Theology of the Body (Michael

Waldstein defends West)

Theology of the Body debate widens (Fr. Jose Granados critiques West)

The Marian mystery: Theology of the Body updates (David Schindler responds to
Janet Smith and Michael Waldstein)

The Christopher West controversy: Further defenders and critics (Matthew Pinto
of Ascension Press defends West/The Personalist Project commentaries)

Christopher West: Not a 'tame' lion (Janet Smith and Michael Healy respond to
David Schindler and defend West)

Michael Waldstein: West is compelling and Christ-centred(Michael Waldstein

strongly defends West)

One body, many gifts: More criticism for West (Fr. Maurizio Faggioni criticises West
and offers cautions on approaching TOB)

What Pope John Paul II said about sex

Pope John Paul (a.k.a. JP2) sought to address the

misunderstandings and errors over sexuality like no Pope ever before.
He inaugurated a study of God as revealed through our bodies. This is
known as the Theology of the body. It revealed some stark insights
into the nature of the human person.
 John Paul said that pornography was wrong not because it showed
too much, but because it showed to little. It reduced the human
person to only the physical dimension as a form of gratification. This
reduced the human person to a thing, with no reference to the
spiritual dimension.

JP2 said that it was possible for a man to commit adultery against
his own wife. This was far outside the traditional understanding of
adultery. This is in line with Jesus, who said that anyone who looked at
a woman lustfully committed adultery with his own heart.

JP2 decided with the restoration of the Sistine Chapel that the
original version of naked Adam should be shown as Michelangelo
intended. Several hundred years ago a Vatican official had decided to
cover up Adam’s nakedness with by the use of a painted leaf. JP2
decided to return to the original as purity is the glory of the human
body before God.

Before he was Pope, the then Karol Wojtyla said in the book, Love
and responsibility that men must take into account that sexual climax
should be reached in harmony, rather than just the man alone. As
arousal in a woman rises and falls more slowly, a man must take this
into account to avoid selfishness (!).