At the Heart of the Gospel: About the Book & Author

Matthew Pinto

President, Ascension Press

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Christopher West is a pioneer in reaching today's culture with the Gospel.

Father Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.

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In Christopher West's At the Heart of the Gospel, the author continues his prayerful unpacking of Blessed John Paul II's Theology of the Body, and brings the reader to an ever deeper understanding of the late pope's magnificent catechesis. West reminds us that, in witnessing to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we are inviting people to a "way of beauty." I wholeheartedly recommend this latest contribution to our appreciation of the Theology of the Body.

Most Rev. Michael J. Sheridan

Bishop of Colorado Springs, CO.

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In At the Heart of the Gospel, Christopher pauses to clarify and enrich the main themes of his teachings to date, and then launches like a rocket into the next phase of his incredible journey to spread the good news of John Paul II's life-changing Theology of the Body.

At the Heart of the Gospel proclaims boldly that the Catholic faith established by Jesus Christ is the source of joy and beauty. Beauty shatters the glass ceiling of relativism. Beauty cannot remain neutral or private. Christopher passionately reminds us that, in living a life of beauty, holiness is not an abstract concept or unattainable goal, but rather is firmly and excitedly within everyone's embrace. Thank you, Christopher, for the risks you have taken over the years to invite us deeper into the Great Mystery.

Bill Howard

Editor, The Colorado Catholic Herald

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What an absolute pleasure and encouragement to have the opportunity to read At the Heart of the Gospel. As lay facilitators of Theology of the Body for Teens and parents of teens, Christopher West's latest work has us energized and given us additional tools to be more effective when communicating John Paul II's Theology of the Body. The significance of West's clarifications for our culture is enormous. We can't wait to recommend this book and use it on our journey as a resource to better understand and explain how not to "throw out the baby with the bath water."

Chris and Mary Watson

Teachers of TOB for teens and young adults

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Other Works by Christopher West

Books

1. Good News About Sex and Marriage: Answers to Your Honest Questions About Catholic Teaching (Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Publications, 2000; revised edition 2006).
2. The Wisdom of John Paul II (London: Catholic Truth Society, Publishers to the Holy See, 2001), author of chapter six on the Holy Father's theology of the body.
3. Theology of the Body Explained: A Commentary on John Paul II's "Gospel of the Body" (Boston, MA: Pauline Books & Media, 2003; revised edition 2007).
4. Theology of the Body for Beginners: A Basic Introduction to Pope John Paul II's Sexual Revolution (West Chester, PA: Ascension Press, 2004; revised edition 2009).
5. The Love that Satisfies: Reflections on Eros and Agape (Ascension Press, 2007)
6. Heaven's Song: Sexual Love As it Was Meant to Be (Ascension Press, 2008)

Sampling of Catechetical Programs, Study Guides, & Workbooks

1. FAMILIA Program for Men, Year 2; A Study of the Ten Commandments and the encyclicals Casti Connubii and Humanae Vitae.(Minneapolis, MN: FAMILIA, 1999).
2. Crash Course in the Theology of the Body, Study Guide, second edition(Dundee, IL: GIFT Foundation, 2002).
3. The Good News About Sex & Marriage Seminar, Workbook (West Chester, PA: Ascension Press, 2001, 2003).
4. Introduction to the Theology of the Body, Study Guide (West Chester, PA: Ascension Press, 2003; revised edition 2008).
5. Created and Redeemed: The Universal Message of John Paul II's Theology of the Body, Study Guide (West Chester, PA: Ascension Press, 2004)
6. God's Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage, Couple's Workbook and Instructor's Edition (Ascension Press, 2005).
7. Freedom to Love, Study Guide (Ascension Press, 2007)
8. Preaching the Theology of the Body: A Seminar for Priests, Study Guide (Ascension Press, 2008)
9. Your Call to Greatness, Study Guide (Ascension Press 2008)
10. Into the Heart: A Journey through the Theology of the Body, Study Guide (Ascension Press 2008)

Syndicated Column

1. Body Language: Commentary on the Intersection of Faith, Sex, & Culture appeared twice a month in diocesan newspapers and on the Internet between 2005 and 2010.

Sampling of Articles

1. "Corporal Communion," Our Sunday Visitor (Aug, 2005)
2. "To Love as God Loves," Catholic Answer (July/Aug, 2005)
3. "The New Language: A Crash Course in the Theology of the Body," Crisis (Dec, 2004)
4. "God, Sex, and Babies," This Rock (Nov, 2003)
5. "A Basic Theology of Marriage," Priests & People (June, 2003)
6. "Addressing the Mystery," Catholic World Report (Dec, 2002)
7. "Making the Theology of the Body Accessible to the Body of Christ," Envoy (6.4, 2002)
8. "Face to Face," Star: Saint Austin Review (Oct, 2002)
9. "Christian Nuptiality & Nuptial Christianity?," National Catholic Register (Jan 20, 2002)
10. "Theology of the Body: Key to an Authentic Marital Spirituality," Lay Witness (June, 2001)
11. "The Theology of the Body," Catholic Faith & Family (May 21 - June 3, 2000)
12. "A Prophet of the Sexual Counter-Revolution," (ProLife ProFile) National Catholic Register (Aug 27, 2000)
13. "John Paul II's Theology of the Body: Part III," Family Foundations (March-April, 2000)
14. "God's Plan for Human Sexuality: The Key to the New Evangelization?," Immaculata Magazine (March-April, 2000)
15. "John Paul II's Theology of the Body: Part II," Family Foundations (Jan-Feb, 2000)
16. "Prominent Protestants Rethink Contraception," National Catholic Register (Dec 12, 1999)
17. "John Paul II's Theology of the Body: Part I," Family Foundations (Sep-Oct, 1999)
18. "A Great Nuptial Mystery," Inside the Vatican (Aug-Sep, 1999)
19. "Marriage & the Philosopher Pope," National Catholic Register (June 13, 1999)
20. "John Paul's Distinctive Contribution: A 20^th Anniversary Reflection on the Theology of the Body," Inside the Vatican (Nov, 1998)