God in the World
A Guide to Karl Rahner's Theology
Published on 1. January 2007
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
978-0-8146-5222-0 (ISBN)
Description
A century has passed since Karl Rahner's birth, and two decades have passed since his death. Yet this remarkable theologian has left a legacy of wisdom as relevant today as it was during Rahner's time. In God in the World: A Guide to Karl Rahner's Theology, Thomas O 'Meara looks anew at Rahner's insights and theological principles. Through O 'Meara's clear and engaging style, readers will discover 'or rediscover, as the case may be 'how invaluable Rahner is for the church today.
Rahner's is a theology that considers both people and history as important. It is a theology that begins with grace as God's self-communication, God's gift of life shared with humankind. It is a theology that directly speaks to some of the tensions we as the church, the people of God, struggle with today: religious pluralism and salvation through Jesus Christ, the roles of priests and lay ecclesial ministers, the offices of bishops and popes, the movements of secular modernity and religious fundamentalism. O 'Meara helps the reader find in Rahner a traditional revolutionary whose theology sees the depth, extent, and vitality of faith, hope and love in the hearts of all people.
Thomas O 'Meara, OP PhD, is the William K. Warren Professor of Theology Emeritus at the University of Notre Dame. He studied with Karl Rahner at the University of Munich and continues to receive numerous invitations to teach and speak on Rahner. Among his recent publications are A Theologian's Journey (Paulist, revised 2002), Theology of Ministry (Paulist, 1999), Thomas Aquinas Theologian (University of Notre Dame Press, 1997).
Rahner's is a theology that considers both people and history as important. It is a theology that begins with grace as God's self-communication, God's gift of life shared with humankind. It is a theology that directly speaks to some of the tensions we as the church, the people of God, struggle with today: religious pluralism and salvation through Jesus Christ, the roles of priests and lay ecclesial ministers, the offices of bishops and popes, the movements of secular modernity and religious fundamentalism. O 'Meara helps the reader find in Rahner a traditional revolutionary whose theology sees the depth, extent, and vitality of faith, hope and love in the hearts of all people.
Thomas O 'Meara, OP PhD, is the William K. Warren Professor of Theology Emeritus at the University of Notre Dame. He studied with Karl Rahner at the University of Munich and continues to receive numerous invitations to teach and speak on Rahner. Among his recent publications are A Theologian's Journey (Paulist, revised 2002), Theology of Ministry (Paulist, 1999), Thomas Aquinas Theologian (University of Notre Dame Press, 1997).
Reviews / Votes
It is indeed on this note, of what lies ahead-a note of hope and authentic Christian optimism true to Rahner's spirit-that O'Meara concludes this book. We live not into a future of our own making but into a future that is God-an absolute future that transcends time. Rahner is still, for so any theologians and others who seek God, an indispensable guide into that future. O'Meara has given us a gem of a book that will help introduce Rahner to a new generation.Horizons O'Meara's book is a brief, engaging, and insightful guide to Rahner's thought, useful and attractive to beginners.Theological Studies Thomas F. O'Meara's God in the World refreshingly fulfills its purpose as a handbook to Karl Rahner's theology. It serves as a 'guide' in the best sense of the word. O'Meara does not merely lead the reader through the essential aspects of Rahner's theology; he joins the reader on a journey into Rahner's historical framework of a Church and world in transition and suggests how this can be a passage to a renewal of Rahner's theological insights for our twenty-first century. . . . O'Meara not only introduces us to the Rahner who opens our eyes to the ways in which God comes to meet us, but he also compels us to follow Rahner's lead and meet God in new ways in the Church and in the world.Pastoral Music The author has succeeded in providing a useful and personal guide to the theology of Karl Rahner. He has clearly established the debt of contemporary theology to Rahner's theology. He has provided us with a personal and fresh understanding of the 'father' of many contemporary theologians.Catholic Library World Not just another commentary on Rahner's theology, O'Meara's guidebook is distinctive, citing numerous key texts illuminated by personal recollections of Rahner's teaching especially in Munich. The author synthesizes an astonishing variety of recent German and English analyses. His down-to-earth prose demystifies Rahnerian concepts and provides fresh doctrinal insights through relating them to works of modern literature, architecture, and the fine arts. Here is a steady compass for the new generation of theologians Michael A. Fahey, S.J., Boston CollegeMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Collegeville, MN
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight
245 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8146-5222-0 (9780814652220)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
03/2015
1st Edition
Liturgical Press
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€51.99
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Person
Thomas F. O'Meara, O.P., Warren Professor Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, is the author of Erich Przywara, S.J.: His Theology and His World (2009) and God in the World: A Guide to Karl Rahner's Theology (Liturgical Press, 2007).
Content
Contents
Abbreviations vii
Chapter 1: A Guide to Karl Rahner's Theology 1
I. An Important Theologian 2
II. A Lasting Influence 3
III. Rahner and Munich in the 1960s: A Personal Encounter 4
IV. A Guide to a Theologian for Today and Tomorrow 7
Chapter 2: Karl Rahner, Theologian 15
I. An Ordinary Life 16
II. Teachers and Sources 22
III. A Theologian's Journey 27
Chapter 3: Fashioning a Theology for Today 35
I. A Theology for Today: Five Challenging Issues 36
II. Three Characteristics of a Contemporary Theology 40
III. Reorientations 48
Chapter 4: Men and Women within God's Life 56
I. The Seeking Person, the Revealing God 56
II. Human Existence in God's Realm 59
III. An Ordinary Spirituality 61
IV. Dramas of Grace 64
Chapter 5: God's Life in Terrestrial History 71
I. Existential History 72
II. Salvation History and World History 73
III. Jesus Christ 75
IV. The Word of Jesus Christ: The Bible 80
V. God's Wide Love and Life 84
VI. People's Religions 87
Chapter 6: The Church and Its Ministries 94
I. The Church as Event and Community 95
II. The Church Existing in History's Forms 98
III. Charism and Ministry and Office 102
IV. A Transcendental Community of Ministers 104
V. Leaders in the Church 107
VI. The Church Today 111
Chapter 7: The Future of the World 120
I. The Future of Christianity 120
II. The Future of the Church 121
III. God and Intelligent Creatures beyond Earth 125
IV. The Absolute Future 126
Conclusion 135
Appendices
I. Chronology of Karl Rahner's Life 139
II. Bibliographical Guides 140
Index 142
Abbreviations vii
Chapter 1: A Guide to Karl Rahner's Theology 1
I. An Important Theologian 2
II. A Lasting Influence 3
III. Rahner and Munich in the 1960s: A Personal Encounter 4
IV. A Guide to a Theologian for Today and Tomorrow 7
Chapter 2: Karl Rahner, Theologian 15
I. An Ordinary Life 16
II. Teachers and Sources 22
III. A Theologian's Journey 27
Chapter 3: Fashioning a Theology for Today 35
I. A Theology for Today: Five Challenging Issues 36
II. Three Characteristics of a Contemporary Theology 40
III. Reorientations 48
Chapter 4: Men and Women within God's Life 56
I. The Seeking Person, the Revealing God 56
II. Human Existence in God's Realm 59
III. An Ordinary Spirituality 61
IV. Dramas of Grace 64
Chapter 5: God's Life in Terrestrial History 71
I. Existential History 72
II. Salvation History and World History 73
III. Jesus Christ 75
IV. The Word of Jesus Christ: The Bible 80
V. God's Wide Love and Life 84
VI. People's Religions 87
Chapter 6: The Church and Its Ministries 94
I. The Church as Event and Community 95
II. The Church Existing in History's Forms 98
III. Charism and Ministry and Office 102
IV. A Transcendental Community of Ministers 104
V. Leaders in the Church 107
VI. The Church Today 111
Chapter 7: The Future of the World 120
I. The Future of Christianity 120
II. The Future of the Church 121
III. God and Intelligent Creatures beyond Earth 125
IV. The Absolute Future 126
Conclusion 135
Appendices
I. Chronology of Karl Rahner's Life 139
II. Bibliographical Guides 140
Index 142