Jason Evert
Theology of His Body and Theology of Her Body:
A Book Review (Or Two)
Theology
of His Body and Theology of Her Body
Jason Evert (Ascension Press, 2009)
March 7, 2009
When I received my slick and shiny new copy of Theology of Her Body in the mail from the Catholic Company, my first thought was, “Hey, what happened to his body?” Then I flipped the book over -- and there he was. This little double-book is full of surprises before you even open the cover. The theological reflections on the male and female bodies are presented as two separate books within one cover, one written right-side-up and the other upside-down. (I soon found though that by flipping the upside-down side over, I was able to read it right-side-up as well.)
The two-in-one packaging is especially effective for several reasons. First, each separate book is about 50 pages long, capable of an initial read in just one sitting of maybe an hour or so. And I mention an initial read because these books are definitely worth keeping and rereading to ponder their profoundly important messages time and again. The separate book format also works great because of the particular subject matter, since a man or woman can obtain a concise and inspiring overview of God’s master plan for his own masculinity or her own femininity, and just as easily change gears, flip over the book and read of the wonders of the complementary sex God has crafted for him or for her.
As for the contents themselves, Jason Evert has done a masterful job of extracting very straightforward, practical, and motivating lessons from the sublime body of writings of Pope John Paul II’s theology of the body. He also draws from his own extensive experience in working with modern young men and women faced with so many pressures from a modern world that has so little awareness of the true and holy wonder that is man and woman. Each book also features a foreword by master theologian of the body, Christopher West.
Theology of Her Body is subtitled “Discovering the Beauty and Mystery of Femininity,” and these two concepts of feminine beauty and mystery are examined and explained in ways that should inspire any female reader to thank God he has crafted her as the pinnacle of all things beautiful in creation, and as the carrier of the mystery of life. (Perhaps I need not mention that this should elicit equal thanks to God for woman from the perspective of any attentive male reader!)
Theology of His Body is subtitled “Discovering the Strength & Mission of Masculinity,” and these twin concepts of interior strength and mission are examined and explained in ways that should inspire any male reader to thank God he has given him the opportunity to be a mighty and responsible warrior, protector, father, and an initiator of love. These are especially important messages today, when young men are so often encouraged by the popular culture rather to be shifty and irresponsible plunderers, defilers, avoiders of fatherhood, and initiators of lust.
These books would make an ideal read for teens of both sexes, for their parents, grandparents, teachers, or anyone who deals with youths today. (Where was this book when I was teaching Adolescent Psychology??) There are also lessons in these books that those concerned elders themselves can profit from. It can inspire full-grown men and women to become “real” men and women in the highest sense of the word. (It got me fired up, anyway.)
And here’s another thing. Though this book should be around for a long time, this is an especially good time to be reading it, since Jason Evert and his wife Crystalina currently have a new television series, “Theology of the Body for Teens,” running on EWTN. This provides a great opportunity for readers to flesh out its bodily lessons with the messages on their program. Of course, the books stand quite well alone and should be godsends on their own. I highly recommend this selection.
Theology of Her Body and Theology of His Body is theology for everybody’s body – and soul.
Kevin Vost, Psy.D.
Dr. Vost, a Catholic psychologist, is the author of Memorize the Faith!, Fit for Eternal Life, and coming soon -- Unearthing Your Ten Talents and Theology for Atheists.
This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Theology of Her Body and Theology of His Body.