Rahner beyond Rahner: A Great Theologian Encounters the Pacific Rim

by Catherine Bell (Contribution by), Francis X. Clooney SJ (Contribution by), Paul Crowley (Contribution by), David DeCosse (Contribution by), Mark F. Fischer (Contribution by)

Overview

One hundred years after the birth of Karl Rahner, the contributors to this book ask whether and how Rahner’s theology can address new religious and cultural realities in the twenty-first century, particularly those realities found on what has come to be called “the Pacific Rim.” Stretching from California and Latin America, and across the Pacific Ocean to Asia, this geographic region manifests an incredible cultural and religious diversity, but also many points of intersection and interpenetration, resulting in new forms of religion and spirituality. The theological categories generated by Rahner, such as the anonymous Christian and even the notion of a world church, meet steep challenges when read in contexts very different from that of Germany and the theological currents of the “Atlantic.” At the same time, the encounter between Rahner and the Pacific Rim results in fresh readings of Rahner not previously imagined, not only in places like China and Mexico, but even Los Angeles.
Anchored by a seminal essay by Francis X. Clooney, S.J. (Harvard), contributors, include Thomas Sheehan (Stanford), Catherine Bell (Santa Clara), and George Griener, S.J. (Berkeley). Each essay examines the possibilities and limitations of Rahner’s theology in this newly configured Pacific world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742549647
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/01/2005
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	194
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.45(d)

About the Author

Paul G. Crowley, S.J. is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Santa Clara University. He is the author of In Ten Thousand Places: Dogma in a Pluralistic Church and the forthcoming Unwanted Wisdom: Suffering, the Cross and Hope.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Preface Part 2 Introduction: Improbable Encounters? Part 3 Part One: Encounters with Religions Chapter 4 Rahner beyond Rahner: A Comparative Theologian's Reflections on Theological Investigations Chapter 5 The Body of Blessing Chapter 6 Constraints on the Theological Absorption of Plurality Chapter 7 Karl Rahner's Legacy and the Prospects for Muslim-Christian Understanding Part 8 Part Two: Encounters with Cultures Chapter 9 From the Kulturkampf to China's Cultural Christians Chapter 10 Guadalupe's Challenge to Rahner's Theology of Symbol Chapter 11 Rethinking Rahner on Grace and Symbol: New Proposals from the Americas Chapter 12 Religious Disillusionment in a Land of Illusions Part 13 Part Three: Encounters with Theology, Ethics and Spirituality Chapter 14 Rahner's Theology of the Cross Chapter 15 Rahner, Ethics and Cultures Chapter 16 Rahner and the Avatar: The Challenge from Popular Religions Chapter 17 The Stillpoint: Autoeroticism or Grace? Part 18 Afterword: Where Do We Go From Here? Rahner in the Pacific Rim and Beyond

Editorial Reviews

Inspired by the groundbreaking work of Karl Rahner, these essays offer fascinating insights into the theological and, indeed, spiritual challenges represented by cultural and religious pluralism in the world today. In so doing, this collection also deepens our appreciation of the amazing fecundity of Rahner’s thought as a resource whose influence will be felt for generations to come.

Roberto Goizueta

The critical perspectives presented in this volume point to the direction in which Catholic studies in general and Rahner studies in particular have been moving in the past decade. It is encounter in action imbued with the spirit of the great theologian delighting in the continuing creative and courageous engagement with his thought and the questions of the day.

Susan Abraham

An excellent resource for a graduate course on Rahner's theology.

Theological Studies

The critical perspectives presented in this volume point to the direction in which Catholic studies in general and Rahner studies in particular have been moving in the past decade. It is encounter in action imbued with the spirit of the great theologian delighting in the continuing creative and courageous engagement with his thought and the questions of the day.--Susan Abraham, Assistant Professor of Theology, St. Bonaventure University, NY

Anyone who has ever thought that Rahner's theology is dated or does not have anything useful to say to the world outside of Europe should read this book from cover to cover. Essays after essays convincingly show how Rahner is relevant to the 'Pacific Rim'--the world bathed by the Pacific Ocean--and to the burning religious issues of today: religious pluralism, inculturation, interrreligious dialogue, popular religion, etc. Rahner beyond Rahner is required reading for every course on the thought of this theological giant of the twentieth century.--Peter Phan, Ignacio Ellacuria Chair of Catholic Social Thought, Georgetown University

Inspired by the groundbreaking work of Karl Rahner, these essays offer fascinating insights into the theological and, indeed, spiritual challenges represented by cultural and religious pluralism in the world today. In so doing, this collection also deepens our appreciation of the amazing fecundity of Rahner's thought as a resource whose influence will be felt for generations to come.--Roberto Goizueta, Professor of Theology, Boston College

From the Publisher

Anyone who has ever thought that Rahner's theology is dated or does not have anything useful to say to the world outside of Europe should read this book from cover to cover. Essays after essays convincingly show how Rahner is relevant to the 'Pacific Rim'—the world bathed by the Pacific Ocean—and to the burning religious issues of today: religious pluralism, inculturation, interrreligious dialogue, popular religion, etc. Rahner beyond Rahner is required reading for every course on the thought of this theological giant of the twentieth century.

Peter Phan