Systematic Theology

Thomas P. Rausch, SJ, is the T. Marie Chilton Professor of Catholic Theology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. A specialist in ecclesiology, he has published twenty books and numerous articles and has long been active in ecumenism. He co-chairs the Los Angeles Catholic/Evangelical Committee and the Theological Commission for the Archdiocese. From 2010 to 2014 he was a consultor to Jesuit Superior General Father Adolfo Nicholás for ecumenical affairs.

• ContentsAcknowledgments   xiList of Abbreviations   xiiiIntroduction   xv1. Systematic Theology   1The Nature of Theology   1Systematic Theology   5Counter Currents   14Contemporary Theology   18Conclusion   22For Further Reading   242. Changing Cultures, New Hermeneutics   26From Modernity to Postmodernism   26New Hermeneutics   34Theological Pluralism   43Conclusion   44For Further Reading   453. The Divine Mystery   47A Transcendent God   48Knowing the Transcendent God   50Jesus, God’s Only Son   56The Holy Spirit   57The Trinity   59God in Contemporary Thought   67Conclusion   74For Further Reading   754. Jesus the Christ   77Discovering the Historical Jesus   78The Reign of God   80Death and Resurrection   84New Testament Christologies   87Classical Christologies   91Contemporary Christologies   94Conclusion   104For Further Reading   1055. Revelation and Faith   107General Revelation   108Special Revelation   110Dei Verbum   112Models of Revelation   117Revelation as Symbolic Mediation   122Faith   125Faith and Salvation   129Modernity and the Loss of Faith   131Conclusion   134For Further Reading   1356. Sin, Grace, and the Human Person   137The Myth of the Fall   139Paul   140Original Sin   141Contents ixA Contemporary Approach   143Grace   145Catholic and Protestant Perspectives   146Conclusion   161For Further Reading   1627. Mary and the Communion of Saints   164The Concept of Communion   164The Communion of Saints   166Mary in the Church   168The Marian Dogmas   173Conclusion   177For Further Reading   1788. Church   180The Jesus Movement   180Churches in the New Testament   182The Church in History   186The Church of Vatican II   191Contemporary Ecclesiologies   198Some Unresolved Issues   202Conclusion   208For Further Reading   2109. Sacramentality and Christian Initiation   212Sacramentality   213Contemporary Sacramental Theology   217Christian Initiation   220Conclusion   231For Further Reading   23310. Sacraments of Healing and Vocation   235Penance and Reconciliation   235Sacrament of the Sick   238Marriage   239Holy Orders   247Conclusion   256For Further Reading   25811. Creation and Eschatology   260Creation in Scripture  260Creation in the Tradition   266Creation and Science   270Evolution and the Drama of Life   273Eschatology   275The Four Last Things   277Purgatory   283The Fullness of Salvation   285Conclusion   288For Further Reading   289Index of Names   291Index of Subjects   298

"In the same clear and careful way that Richard McBrien helped Catholics of the 1980s understand the richness of their doctrinal tradition, Tom Rausch offers in this volume a way for Catholics to navigate that same tradition in this second decade of the twenty-first century. Rausch pays close attention, however, not only to the tradition's content but also to its context of postmodernity, cultural diversity, gender awareness, and sensitivity to sexual orientation. Although sometimes controversial, Rausch is always thorough and fair. This will be a helpful book for students and teachers alike."Stephen Bevans, SVD; Louis J. Luzbetak, SVD, Professor of Mission and Culture, Emeritus; Catholic Theological Union, Chicago