Fall semester of 2014, approximately 46 students, including myself, were enrolled in Associate Professor of Philosophy Nathan Schlueter’s Theology of the Body class, where we studied the teachings of John Paul II on sex, marriage, and family. When I saw the email advertising this class offering, I immediately did everything I could to ensure that I would be on that class roster. Getting into that class was one of my more exciting moments at Hillsdale — but my feelings were only confirmed all the more as I trudged through the tedious, yet astounding, theology regarding human relations. Why does there exist a universal fascination with erotic love? It wasn’t until I took this 400 level course that I encountered the answer.
Theology of the Body is more than a class about the mechanics of relationships. It teaches the meaning behind those relationships. In Theology of the Body, or TOB for short, we learned that our sexuality is more than a tool for pleasure, or a societal convention, but actually speaks to a much deeper principle. My womanhood is not one of my qualities, it is my quality. One’s manhood is not a measurement of the honor he deserves, but it receives honor in that it exists. Through John Paul II’s detailed analysis of God’s character as portrayed in the scriptures, I came to the conclusion that the holy institution of marriage, as communion between a man and woman, carries eternal significance that reflects in all areas of life. The lessons I learned in this class were invaluable.
Other students would agree. Junior Emma Smith had this to say:
“This class completely enlightened me on the true meaning of marriage and its beauty because of how closely it mimics Christ sacrifice for us. It defined what love truly is in the eyes of God.”
Senior Julian Aramendi stressed the importance of understanding the concepts taught in Theology of the Body.
“I learned more about human love in Dr. Schlueter’s Theology of the Body class than I had in the previous 21 years of my life,” Aramendi said. “Vague notions and intuitions were refined and sharpened. In today’s culture, the traditional view of love (one man, one woman; indissoluble marriage; unselfishness etc.) is marginalized in favor of a pile of garbage. Not only should people know the truths about love, but they must be able to defend them against the new movements.
The interesting thing about this class is that no two students took away exactly the same things. Sophomore Abigail Rome learned about the beauty of singleness, despite cultural pressures.
“The biggest thing this class taught me was that there is nothing wrong with being single,” Rome said. “TOB teaches something different than the stuff people tell you after you break up or when feel like you’re going to be alone forever. It teaches that there is something fundamentally good about the single life because it was the way Christ lived.”
Theology of the Body has truly changed lives. Not only do students leave enriched in that specific topic, but they are able to use that theology in every spectrum of life. Junior Emma Vinton is an example of a student whose life was transformed through these principles.
“I see almost everything through the lens of TOB now, all my relationships and friendships,” Vinton said. “It helps me to remember to view other people as human beings even when it is not always easy. It’s pretty funny, even when I’m watching a movie or listening to a song or something, I think, “This song violates the TOB” or “This movie doesn’t portray an accurate and full view of the human being.” I think it’s hilarious but I love it. It has changed how I think about everything.”
Junior Victoria Barry thinks that every student should get the opportunity to take Theology of the Body.
“I definitely think everyone should have a chance to take this course,” said Barry. “Theology of the Body helped me understand the beauty of what it means to be a human person. It is so important, especially in today’s culture, which often portrays the body in a negative or disrespectful light, to understand the importance and dignity of the human body.”
Junior Antonia Busch agrees with Barry in that this course should be offered liberally.
“This class was so beautiful that I found myself crying while doing the reading because it was so moving and so true,” Busch said. “Dr. Schlueter takes the text of John Paul II and explains it in a way that anyone can grasp and see the true beauty of it. I think this class should be offered to every college student as it is the one that ties the rest together in a way that will change their lives forever. For anyone asking the question, “Why are we even here on Earth?” or “What is the point of life,” Theology of the Body will unlock deeper answers and more beauty than could even be imagined.
Senior Clare Williams believes that the hard work was definitely worth it.
“Besides the fact that reading 800 pages of John Paul II builds character and makes you strong enough for world domination, I learned a lot about what it means to be human and to love, in regard both to another person and to God,” Williams said. “Was this class related to my history and Spanish majors? No. Did this class teach me about how and why God created the world, and exactly how and why he wants me to act in relationships with other people? Yes. And these are things that every person should seek to understand.”
Aramendi concludes that Theology of the Body is so essential that it can be compared with other classes associated with the core curriculum of Hillsdale.
“Aside from my time with the Charger Football Team, Theology of the Body might have been my greatest influence at the College,” Aramendi said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and hope that future students will have a similar one. It’s just as important to read Theology of the Body as it is to read Aristotle’s Ethics.”
Ideally, this class should be offered frequently enough so that every student gets the opportunity to take it if he or she desires, but not too often in that it loses its appeal. Sophomore Jacob Barkett brainstormed some ideas.
“I don’t know that it should be offered every spring, but perhaps every other spring so it is staggered with other courses, but can still pop up for students to take should they choose, while also making it a sort of specialty class,” said Barkett. “I think the class will improve each time it is taught.”
Will John Paul II’s great Theology of the Body be offered again at Hillsdale? Will a freshman reading this now have hope of taking this course before graduating? I sure hope so — as do several fellow students who pioneered through its beautiful mysteries fall semester of 2014. Religious or not, a student learns how to better live in community with others, which is perhaps one of the most crucial skills to learn before being released from school into the realms of society. If we hope to truly make a change in this world, it must start with the heart, through a true understanding of love. Who’s to say that one day, this class will not become part of Hillsdale’s beloved core curriculum?
