Ask Christopher West

Theology of the BodyBuilder | ACW239

July 31st, 2023  |  39 mins 50 secs

catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute

-Question 1: I'm a bodybuilder, and I see both the good and the bad in this pursuit. Is there a way to integrate my life of faith with my passion for bodybuilding?
-Question 2: I went through a life-threatening condition during childbirth that is making my husband and me reconsider how we approach sexual intimacy. Do you have any advice?
-Question 3: I recently started an intentional relationship, and I know that at some point we'll need to have more intimate conversations. Do you have any advice on how to talk about sex without it being an occasion for sin?

Did Jesus Suffer As Much As SA Victims? | ACW238

July 24th, 2023  |  55 mins 32 secs

catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute

• Sexual abuse is a punishment almost worse than death. How can TOB explain that Jesus truly understands the deep pain endured by people who have suffered sexual abuse.
• I'm a young adult man drawn to a friend. I am not as physically attracted to her. Is physical attraction less important than other aspects?
• Was woman punished more severly than man after the fall?

Gender Stereotypes | ACW237

July 17th, 2023  |  1 hr 31 secs

catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute

A Heart That Gives Itself To Those In Misery | ACW236

July 10th, 2023  |  33 mins 5 secs

catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute

• Is there a bad type of eros or is this only a form of porneia?
• I had a vasectomy because my wife had a heart condition that would put her life at risk if she happened to get pregnant. I went to a priest and he left me feeling hopeless. Was the way he reacted consistent with gravity of the mistake we made as a couple?
• Sometimes painful memories from past relationships come to mind and I feel like I’m betraying God. Is this normal?

Is the Church Anti-Woman? | ACW235

July 3rd, 2023  |  53 mins 37 secs

catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute

• My wife and I practice Natural Family Planning. She thinks it’s unfair that the only time she has any interest in sex is during times of fertility. She also thinks that the Church’s stance is anti-woman. How can I respond to her?
• I’ve struggled with loving my body and feeling feminine. Do you have any insights?
• I’m a husband discerning diaconate. What does the TOB has to say about marriage and holy orders as a deacon.

Chastity is for EVERY BODY | ACW234

June 26th, 2023  |  45 mins 24 secs

catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute

• I’ve heard that couples should have a short engagement so as to not fall into sexual sin. What are your thoughts?
• Would artificial conception be permissible in the case of illness?
• Both vocations to marriage and celibacy are a call to sacrifice. How can I discern properly if I have a profound desire to give my life completely to God?

Feminine Beauty Is a Grace | ACW233

June 19th, 2023  |  27 mins 47 secs

catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute

• Is finding out the sex of your child in the womb wrong?
• I belong to a protestant group ministry and several of our members have been hurt by one of the ministry leaders who constantly objectifies men and women. Do you have any advice?
• I’m a young adult that studied business and worked in a top tier firm. The demands of the work made it very hard to take care of my personal life so I decided to leave after knowing it was the right thing to do. I’m currently facing criticism from those close to me. How can I look at this with TOB eyes?

Poop Jokes | ACW 232

June 12th, 2023  |  52 mins 19 secs

catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute

• I feel profoundly lonely and I’m desperate. How can I address this longing without turning it into an idol?
• I’m trying to teach my daughter to be prudent regarding poop jokes. Do you have any advice?
• My husband and I are trying to integrate NFP in our family life. Is it okay to use ovulation predictor kits?

Where to Draw the Line | ACW231

June 5th, 2023  |  56 mins 35 secs

catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute

• The bodies of some saints and holy men and women have been found incorrupt. Can you explain the miracle of incorrupt bodies and how it relates to the Theology of the Body?
• I struggle with gaping at women. How do I overcome the desire to look at women?
• How did you live your marriage with openness to the number of children God wanted to give you?

Annihilation or Sublimation? | ACW230

May 29th, 2023  |  48 mins 59 secs

catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute

• I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and have been unable to conceive. I've been suggested to take a drug that induces ovulation, but this drug may cause cancer. Am I morally bound to use this medical treatment?
• How do you deal with the far right movement in the Church?
• I have feelings for a man and I can't think of him without getting aroused, which makes me feel bad. How can I learn to think of him without these sensual affections?

Untwisting the Twisted | ACW229

May 22nd, 2023  |  44 mins 13 secs

catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute

At Breast of Mary | ACW228

May 15th, 2023  |  49 mins 20 secs

catholic, catholic answers, catholic podcast, catholic questions, christian, christopher west, faith formation, faith questions, john paul ii, jpii, theology of the body, theology of the body institute

I’m a young adult that struggles with same sex attraction. I was deeply wounded by my parents’ reaction when I shared my struggle. Do you have any advice?
I want to continue loving my husband but I sometimes worry that I’m using him in the marital embrace. What helps you keep the spiritual reality of the marital embrace at the forefront?
Secular art, when seen through the lens of our relationship with Christ, awakens in our heart a holy erotic longing. Could you share a playlist of the songs that move you?