Toward a Protestant theology of celibacy: Protestant thought in dialogue with John Paul II's 'Theology of the Body'

This dissertation examines the theology of celibacy found both in John Paul II's writings and in current Protestant theology, with the aim of developing a framework and legitimation for a richer Protestant theology of celibacy. Chapter 1 introduces the thesis. Chapter 2 reviews the Protestant literature on celibacy under two headings: first, major treatments from the Protestant era, including those by Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, various Shakers, and authors from the English Reformation; second, treatments from 1950 to the present. The chapter reveals that modern Protestants have done little theological work on celibacy. Self-help literature for singles is common and often insightful, but it is rarely theological. Chapter 3 synthesizes the best contemporary Protestant thinking on celibacy under two headings: first, major treatments by Karl Barth, Max Thurian, and Stanley Grenz; second, major Protestant themes in the theology of celibacy. The fourth chapter describes the foundation of John Paul II's theology of human sexuality and includes an overview of his life and education, an evaluation of Max Scheler's influence, and a review of Karol Wojtyla's Love and Responsibility and The Acting Person. Chapter 5 treats two topics. First, it describes John Paul II's, Theology of the Body, and more particularly the section entitled "Virginity for the Sake of the Kingdom." There he examines Jesus' instruction in Matt 19:11-12, celibacy as vocation, the superiority of celibacy to marriage, celibacy as redemption of the body, Paul's instructions in 1 Cor 7, and virginity as human destiny. Second, the chapter reviews John Paul II's statements regarding celibacy found in various encyclicals, audiences, homilies, and speeches. Finally, chapter 6 summarizes John Paul II's theology of virginity and reviews several Roman Catholic evaluations of his understanding of human sexuality. The chapter analyzes areas of commonality and contrast between contemporary Protestant thought on celibacy and John Paul II's thought. In addition, the chapter highlights major areas in need of further development. Chapter 7, the conclusion, reviews discoveries and makes further suggestions.