The Latest in the West Wars

When last I blogged on Christopher West, I linked Jimmy Akin’s thoughtful critique. Basic assessment: He’s on the side of the angels, but his stuff could use a bit of work. Seems fair to me, from what Jimmy documents. Though I need to learn a lot more to be sure.

Meanwhile, David Schindler offered another critique which also seem to me to raise some fair points, Janet Smith (who is, full disclosure, an affiliate of the Theology of the Body Institute) offered a rebuttal and now Michael Waldstein, who translated the Pope’s work on the TOB chimes in on West’s behalf as well.

Me: I’m still not familiar with West’s work first-hand and so don’t feel qualified to comment on much beyond what I’ve already said: namely, he appears to me to be obviously interested in thinking with the Church (though how well he does so is a separate question which I cannot address yet). Some of his ideas may be ill-formed (I don’t know) and some of his presentation may be problematic, but I think he is essentially trying to do right and deserves encouragement, not brickbats and attacks on his character, fidelity, honor and integrity. I think both Akin and Schindler avoid this and deal with substance, not with smearing his honor as a faithful Catholic. So I’m happy about that.

As I learn more about JPII’s teaching (and about West’s take on it) I will be able to speak more intelligently about whether West succeeds in his desire to imitate JPII and get his ideas across. But at present I think the dumbest thing we Catholics can do is divide into Pro- and Anti-West camps. He’s a brother in Christ, for cryin’ out loud, not the enemy and not another Arius. Some private correspondence I’ve gotten and some combox comments have portrayed him in precisely those terms.

So: I think prudence say that if we don’t know much about the TOB or West (my hand is raised), then we should very properly let those who do take up the argument and remain silent ourselves. If we think we know more than West, then I think our obligation is to refrain from smashing a faithful Catholic on the head with charges of “pervert!” and “heretic!” and instead learn a lesson from Aquila and Priscilla:

Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and expounded to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully confuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. (Acts 18:24-28)

Would that some of our wannabe witch hunters in the Catholic community would follow this example with good and honorable disciples of Christ like West.