The course Christian Vision of the Body aims to present a synthesis of the main concepts of anthropology and theological ethics through the readings and analysis of some of St. John Paul II’s catecheses on the theology of the body. These catecheses, in fact, present the reconstruction of “an adequate anthropology,” achieved through reflection on corporeality. John Paul II wanted to tell man who he is, wanted to show him the inner truth of his being in the light of the mystery of creation and redemption. In the light of the Incarnate Word, the truth of man reaches its wholeness.
Due to time constraints, it was chosen to focus the study on anthropological issues, and not those concerning the sacrament of marriage and birth control. The course is therefore centered on the first three cycles of catechesis, namely, on the man of the beginning, the redemption of the heart, and the resurrection of the flesh, leaving out the cycle on Christian virginity, the cycle on Christian marriage, and the cycle on love and fruitfulness.
Since this is a second-cycle course, the methodology involves extensive student participation in the form of theological dialogue on topics and texts chosen by the lecturer.