The serious and sometimes satirical reflections of a priest, poet, and pilgrim — who knowing he has not obtained the goal, presses on in a Godward direction.
January 17, 2011
Theology of the Body
When it comes to human embodiment, some appear to see the body as determinative and closed by intrinsic limits, while others see it as creative and open to possibilities.
Much of the so-called theology of the body I've read looks a lot lot like scriptural or magisterial fundamentalism. It reads a singular meaning or function into bodies, something that any observer of bodies quickly realizes is untenable.
Christopher, my sentiments exactly. It is a kind of narrow "literal" reading of text and nature: as if there could only be one meaning; when in fact the multiple readings, meanings, and possibilities are so plainly evident -- if only from the fact that disagreement exists!
Murdoch, I was thinking explicitly of John Paul II's work of that name, though it is only one instance of a general tendency to idealize and idolize, even while misreading and misrepresening, the body.
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Says the genderqueer: THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteMuch of the so-called theology of the body I've read looks a lot lot like scriptural or magisterial fundamentalism. It reads a singular meaning or function into bodies, something that any observer of bodies quickly realizes is untenable.
ReplyDeleteYr welcome, JCF.
ReplyDeleteChristopher, my sentiments exactly. It is a kind of narrow "literal" reading of text and nature: as if there could only be one meaning; when in fact the multiple readings, meanings, and possibilities are so plainly evident -- if only from the fact that disagreement exists!
Murdoch, I was thinking explicitly of John Paul II's work of that name, though it is only one instance of a general tendency to idealize and idolize, even while misreading and misrepresening, the body.
ReplyDelete