Why Pope John Paul II's 'Theology of the Body' Is More Relevant than Ever

45 years ago, Pope John Paul II began a series of sermons that would eventually become known as his “theology of the body.” Beginning with Genesis and ending with the resurrection, the pope outlined a biblical understanding of the body and its unique role in manifesting God’s glory in creation and redemption. The undertaking proved to be prescient, addressing a host of hotly debated issues that had emerged, such as birth control and artificial reproductive technologies, and anticipated others, such as surrogacy, the definition of marriage, sexual ethics, the definition of gender, and the crisis of identity.  

The theology of the body understands the body as fundamental, and not incidental, to who God made humans to be as His image bearers. From the creation account to the resurrection accounts, the body is not considered to be an accident of creation or afterthought of God. Nor is it something that should be shed, graduated from, or mistreated. Rather, it is essential to our design as humans made in God’s image. 

At the heart of this theology is the idea that our bodies are good gifts given to us by God. Scripture describes all of creation in this way, an expression of the generosity and good pleasure of God. In this sense, creation is neither earned nor owed, nor is it something that we own and can do whatever we want with. Creation is something that God gives.  

As with the rest of creation, our existence—body and soul—is given by God. Genesis 2 describes how God fashioned the first human from the dust of the earth (physical) and breathed life into him (spiritual). This is what it means to be a “human soul,” the text says. In other words, God didn’t create human souls merely with bodies, but as embodied. Our physical bodies, like the rest of creation, are from God.  

Moreover, like all of creation, our bodies reveal God. Among the unique ways our bodies reveal God is through sexual difference. God intentionally made humans male and female, both fully bearing the image of God and yet, when joined together in marriage, also revealing God. According to Pope John Paul II, marriage uniquely reveals the divine “communion of persons” within the Trinity.  

Our bodies are to be received with gratitude and stewarded as to bring honor and glory to God. Paul wrote that Christians are to present their “bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1). Because, as he wrote elsewhere, we are “not our own” but Christ’s, we are to use our bodies in ways that honor God. When we dishonor the body, Paul clarified, we dishonor God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). 

The theology of the body is in stark contrast to ideas that are now dominant in the modern world, in which the human body, we are told, is nothing more than an object to be used to express “our true selves,” a euphemism to whatever we feel. It’s treated as pliable, manipulated without consequence. “Free love” is based on the idea that intercourse is possible without strings attached. In reality, humans are deeply attached through sexual intimacy, in all kinds of ways. It’s also common to violate healthy bodies, whether by attempting to “pause puberty,” or by “transitioning,” or by treating fertility as a disease rather than a gift. What happens to the body leaves lasting scars on the soul.  

While there are places to disagree with the pope, Christians must intentionally reflect on the body and pursue a holistic theological account of who we are and what we are for. This is especially the case in this cultural moment, where the human body is reduced to an accessory. From the work-out culture to the cosmetics industry to anti-aging efforts to digital technology to the ideas and expressions of the sexual revolution, there is so much confusion. The legacy of this sermon series by Pope John Paul II, as well as efforts by Christopher West and others to popularize it, continues to this day. While his work focused primarily on the body’s significance within marriage and procreation, it is a wellspring of wisdom that continues to offer much needed insight into the problems facing Christians today.  

To learn more about theology of the body, check out identityproject.tv. The Identity Project is the most comprehensive library available of on-demand videos and resources addressing issues of identity, the image of God as male and female, marriage, family, chastity, and sexual wholeness. For a special discount this month, go to identityproject.tv and enter BREAKPOINT at checkout.  

This Breakpoint  was co-authored by Jared Hayden. If you’re a fan of Breakpoint, leave a review on your favorite podcast app. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.  

Photo Courtesy: ©Getty Images/Hisham Ibrahim

Published Date: September 5, 2024

John Stonestreet is President of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, and radio host of BreakPoint, a daily national radio program providing thought-provoking commentaries on current events and life issues from a biblical worldview. John holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (IL) and Bryan College (TN), and is the co-author of Making Sense of Your World: A Biblical Worldview.

The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of CrosswalkHeadlines.

BreakPoint is a program of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. BreakPoint commentaries offer incisive content people can't find anywhere else; content that cuts through the fog of relativism and the news cycle with truth and compassion. Founded by Chuck Colson (1931 – 2012) in 1991 as a daily radio broadcast, BreakPoint provides a Christian perspective on today's news and trends. Today, you can get it in written and a variety of audio formats: on the web, the radio, or your favorite podcast app on the go.