The New Dictionary of Theology:
Wright, John H
FROM ABBA TO WORSHIP THE NEW DICTIONARY OF THEOLOGY Edited by Joseph A. Komonchak, Mary Collins, OSB, Dermont Lane Michael Glazier, $59.95, 1112 pp. John H. Wright This volume is the fruit of a...
...Two are concerned with method: Theology and Biblical Theology...
...In its own way this book celebrates the twenty-fifth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, putting into practice the directives of the council for the renewal of theology...
...a return to sources and a concern for contemporary needs...
...Naturally, with the large number of writers and articles, there is some un-evenness in quality...
...Many of the shorter articles give additional bibliography, and nearly all give cross references to other articles...
...Many present creative insights of their own that advance the modern theological discussion...
...There is unity in faith, in seeking the original meaning of Scripture, in respect for the Catholic tradition, and in a critical evaluation of the contemporary scene...
...There is pluralism in approach, in method, in the evaluation of some movements, and sometimes in understanding and conclusions...
...It should prove an invaluable source of theological enrichment for many years to come...
...It manifests in a striking way both the unity and the pluralism of current Catholic theology...
...The volume is intended not just for experts, but for all involved in the work of theology: teachers at all levels, writers, preachers, and students...
...There is one article on a central theme of biblical theology: the Reign of God...
...The authors have been extraordinarily successful in their concern to investigate the biblical roots of their topics, to trace the subsequent developments, and to offer an understanding that takes into account the contemporary social, cultural, religious, and scientific world...
...There are thirteen articles of systematic or doctrinal theology: God, Trinity, Holy Spirit, Creation, Christian Anthropology, Grace, Sin, Jesus Christ, Redemption, Church, Sacraments, Eucharist, and Eschatology...
...It is also ecumenically sensitive, drawing on the experience and insights of other Christian communities and of other world religions...
...the rest are found in eight other countries around the world: Ireland, Italy, Canada, England, India, Australia, Scotland, and Zambia...
...The dictionary is built around twenty-four core articles (twenty-five to thirty columns each), treating themes the editors judged were most central to a Catholic understanding of faith...
...but none of them fails to be rewarding...
...It consistently avoids narrow polemicism, without becoming uncritical...
...ies, like that of Rahner and Vorgrimler...
...Four of these articles deal with the sources of theology: Revelation, Faith, the New Testament, and the Old Testament...
...This dictionary is neither as extensive as an encyclopedia of theology, nor as brief as some other theological dictionar...
...The remainder are directly substantive...
...There are nearly 200 shorter articles which center around the core articles...
...John H. Wright This volume is the fruit of a collaborative effort of 167 theologians, liturgists, and biblical scholars to provide "an intelligent and critical introduction to Catholic theology in our day.'' Eighty percent of these writers live and work in the United States...
...All these articles provide short bibliographies for further study...
...Finally, four deal with practical or pastoral theology: Love, Christian Moral Life, Liturgy, and Spirituality...
...They vary greatly in length, some nearly as long as the main articles, others a paragraph or two...
...to come...
Vol. 115 • September 1988 • No. 15
