God, Love, Life, Sex Theology Speaker for SA

by asiel · August 9, 2017

What is the Theology of the Body? It’s a theology of life penned by Pope John Paul II that gives us a new, better way of looking at ourselves and others. It answers our most deeply-seated questions about God and the purpose of our sexuality.Sound complicated? Enter Christopher West who will unpack the theology so that we can all understand it.

By Erin Carelse – The Church in Gauteng and Cape Town is gearing up to welcome Christopher West, a world-renowned speaker on John Paul II’s Theology of the Body (TOB), in September for a week-long seminar.

Mr West, whose talks are billed as seminars on “God, Love, Life and Sex”, will speak at different events and to specific audiences in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Mr West will unpack the TOB, attempting to help find answers to questions such as: Who am I? What is my purpose in life? Why did God create me male or female? How can I find true happiness here on earth? How can I find love that really satisfies me? What is my destiny?

Receive God’s Love

“TOB helps us to learn to receive God’s love so we can give and receive it with others in our lives,” said Marie-Anne Te Brake, chair of the Foundation for the Person and the Family, which is hosting Mr West’s visit.

“The body is not bad or dirty, and instead of treating our sexual desires like they should be repressed or ignored, the TOB reveals that our body and its desires actually point us to the meaning of life,” she said.

“Our bodies are holy and good. The TOB helps us to discover the beauty and purpose of our sexuality and why it is such a major part of our ability to love,” she added.

“God’s plan for life and love is so profound and beautiful that, once it is revealed to us, we’ll never look the same way at our relationships, especially that of between a man and a woman,” Ms Te Brake said.

“When we see the truth about our bodies and the truth about sex, we change our lives not as a result of persuasion, guilt, fear of pregnancy or disease, or because we have to, but because God’s view of love is everything that the human heart longs for.”

Mr West’s talks will reflect these principles, she said.

Speaker Christopher West Unpacks the Theology

His work has been featured in countless Catholic, evangelical and secular media in the US.

“It is thanks to lay people like Christopher West that the TOB teaching has been suitably adapted to be understood by ordinary people, and it becomes easier to learn how to build beautiful relationships based on respect, sacrifice and honour,” Ms Te Brake said.

“The TOB seeks to transform our culture for life, unconditional love and a return to family values.”

In Johannesburg, he will speak in Edenvale, Woodmead and in the cathedral from September 7-10. In Cape Town he will speak to young people in Rondebosch on September 10 and to priests and religious on September 11 at the Holy Cross Provincial House. Bookings are essential.

For Mr West’s itinerary and to book tickets go to www.tobsa.co.za or call Marie-Anne Te Brake on 078 534 0386.