About the show
Since the early 90's, author and speaker Christopher West has devoted his life to spreading John Paul II's revolutionary teaching on human life, love, and sexuality: The Theology of the Body. His beloved wife Wendy, mother of their five children, has served as his confidante, friend, and support through these long years of ministry. In this podcast, Christopher and Wendy combine their wisdom to tackle the toughest questions dealing with vocation, sexuality, marriage, and the Catholic faith.
Support the mission of Christopher and Theology of the Body Institute by becoming a Patron! Join our Patron Community at TOBPatron.com.
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Episodes
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Christian Know Thyself, Homosexuality in Nature, and Nuptial Union with Christ | ACW295
August 26th, 2024 | 57 mins 52 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 Christoper say many times “Christian know thyself” and thought I knew what it meant but have been searching for the quote and can’t seem to find it. Where does this quote come from and what does it mean?
- How do you respond to the arguments about how homosexuality, masturbation and pedophilia are natural because animals do it?
- I’ve heard you mention that when a christian prays, he’s seeking nuptial union with Christ. How can we position our hearts to lean more into this? What would be the fruit of this union?
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Not Being Desired, Uncleanliness & Burial of the Body, and Is Love Always Worth the Risk? | ACW294
August 19th, 2024 | 53 mins 15 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
- How can I show my nieces and nephews my true delight in them and help them feel truly loved and desired in the way that I never felt growing up?
- I would like to prepare my husband’s body for burial after death. I think I misunderstood the biblical teaching of uncleanliness and handling the dead. Can you help me sort out the fear of being unclean by touching a dead body?
- Is love worth the risk all the time? If yes, do you have a word of advice for someone who wants to love but at the same time is scared of expressing it?
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TOB & Racism, Kissing & Arousal, Temptation While Sleeping | ACW293
August 12th, 2024 | 1 hr 5 mins
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
- Can TOB shed any light on the sin of racism?
- Is it wrong to give a kiss if there’s even the slightest bit of arousal present as a dating couple?
- I’ve struggled with the sin of masturbation for the past 10 years. It comes and goes in seasons. Recently, I’ve experienced great temptations while I’m asleep. I awaken in the night with urges I can’t control. Do you have any advice?
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Anything Goes In the Marriage Bed?, Morality of Boudoir Photoshoots and Chastity Book Recommendations | ACW292
August 5th, 2024 | 50 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
- I’ve always heard that as long as the sexual union ends in intercourse anything goes but I’ve never heard any guidance on what happens next and what could be considered masturbation in marriage. Do you have any guidance?
- Are boudoir photoshoots immoral?
- I’d like to go deeper into the topic of chastity. Which book would you recommend?
- I’ve always heard that as long as the sexual union ends in intercourse anything goes but I’ve never heard any guidance on what happens next and what could be considered masturbation in marriage. Do you have any guidance?
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Dating Before the Fall, Secrecy of Past Sexual Encounters, and Josephs & Mary’s Virginity | ACW291
July 29th, 2024 | 47 mins 17 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
- Would there have been dating and discernment of marriage in the garden before the fall?
- I’m a young woman soon to be engaged. Before I started dating the man I’m currently with, I had sexual encounters with 2 other guys. He is aware of the first but not the second. Do you have any advice?
- Why is the word “until” in the verse “He had no relations with her until she bore a son and he named him Jesus” in the Gospel of Matthew?
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Children and the Second Coming, Sexual Healing in Marriage, and Glorifying God Through Teaching | ACW290
July 22nd, 2024 | 49 mins 52 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
- What happens to children and infants in the Second Coming?
- My husband and I have been married for over a year. He’s in his early 50’s and I’m in my early 40’s. Even though we’ve been married for a year, we still haven’t had intercourse because of my husband’s sexual trauma. What would you recommend for our healing?
- As a future high school English teacher, what are some ways I can glorify God in a public classroom setting?
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Comparison, Original Sin and Pain & Work from Home Mama | ACW289
July 15th, 2024 | 45 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
- I struggle with comparison. I feel like I don’t have the joy that other christians have. This makes me wonder why I feel like I should have more than what the Lord has already given to me. Why do I think I’m so special as to receive more?
- If there was no original sin, could we still feel pain in our bodies?
- I’m a wife & mother. For a while I’ve been feeling resentful towards having to work and I’ve thought about turning a personal hobby into a small business so that I could work form home. How can I discern if this desire is God’s will for my family and not an expression of over tiredness and maybe even a struggle with laziness towards working?
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Archetypes of Masculinity and Femininity, Dating Someone Recovering from Sex Addiction & Christopher's Return to Catholicism | ACW288
July 8th, 2024 | 47 mins 34 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
- What does TOB have to say about folks whose natural personality don’t always line up with archetypes of male and female?
- I’m in a relationship with a man who is in active recovery from sexual addiction. How can I support him as his girlfriend?
- What led you (Christopher) to return from protestantism to Catholicism?
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Pet's Fertility, Hysterectomy, Childbirth in Catholic Circles & Irregular Cycles. | ACW287
July 1st, 2024 | 45 mins
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
- Does striving to live out TOB affect the decisions we make for our pet’s fertility? My mother recently had a surgery that required a hysterectomy. This brings about sadness even though she was already past child bearing years. Does TOB have any insights into this?
- I’m due with my second child very soon. I feel there’s minimal talk around birthing in Catholic circles. What do you think about this?
- I’d like to use NFP once I’m married but I have irregular cycles which make me think I won’t be able to use it successfully. What are my options?
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Practicing Abstinence as Engaged Couple, Til Death Do Us Apart & Honoring and Loving a Woman | ACW286
June 24th, 2024 | 56 mins 11 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 woman happily dating a catholic man. The thought of having times of abstinence in marriage is a little sad. Could you speak on the beauty of abstinence? Is the ability to be physically intimate even in times of abstinence without it leading to intercourse something that is learned only in marriage? Is this something that can be learned as an engaged couple?
- My husband of 32 years died last year and I’m struggling with the thought of no longer being a married woman. How can I reconcile the “two becoming one” and “til death do us apart”? What is the nature of the marriage relationship in heaven?
- I met a woman that is 3 years older than I am which put me off initially but now I just can’t unsee her beauty. I get easily aroused by simple interactions with her. I often worry about messing up if we start dating. How can I honor God and love this beautiful woman?
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Redirection of Desire, Sleeping in the Same Bed & the Dignity of Every Man & Woman | ACW285
June 17th, 2024 | 46 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
- What are some examples redirecting our desire (eros) in everyday life?
- Is there anything inherently wrong with sleeping in the same bed as a long distance girlfriend when we visit each other? Is the near occasion of sin still a sin if I don’t end up sinning?
- Where is this quote by John Paul II from: “It is the duty of every man to uphold the dignity of every woman”?
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Aroused by Displays of Affection, Receiving the Eucharist in Mortal Sin & Getting Married Young
June 16th, 2024 | 48 mins 43 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 dating a wonderful man. I’m very sensitive to physical touch and get aroused very easily. Even holding hands results in arousal. Do you have any advice? Is it okay to keep showing those displays of affection even though they are accompanied by arousal?
- Why is it a mortal sin to receive the Eucharist in a state of sin? Is the Lord not seeking for us to receive him even when we’re separated from him? Do you have any advice for raising children to feel comfortable refraining from the Eucharist without fear of judgment from those around them?
- I hear so many religious people saying we should get married young. I’ll be 32 soon but I long for marriage. Should I give up on what I so desperately want because of people who clearly know about this topic?