Systematic Theology: A Roman Catholic Approach

by Thomas P. Rausch SJ

Overview

Systematic theology seeks to understand and render more intelligible the central doctrines of faith and to show how they are related to each other. It tries to demonstrate how these doctrines are rooted in Scripture and develop in the history of the church; most important, it strives to more adequately express and sometimes reinterpret the church’s doctrinal tradition, always in the interest of better communicating the mystery of salvation and bringing it into a dialogue with culture. The present text is intended to be concise and accessible, an introduction that explores basic themes in Catholic systematic theology from a biblical, historical, and contemporary perspective, always aware of today’s theological pluralism. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814683453
Publisher:	Liturgical Press
Publication date:	03/24/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	322
File size:	418 KB

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

List of Abbreviations xiii

Introduction xv

1 Systematic Theology 1

The Nature of Theology 1

Systematic Theology 5

Counter Currents 14

Contemporary Theology 18

Conclusion 22

For Further Reading 24

2 Changing Cultures, New Hermeneutics 26

From Modernity to Postmodernism 26

New Hermeneutics 34

Theological Pluralism 43

Conclusion 44

For Further Reading 45

3 The Divine Mystery 47

A Transcendent God 48

Knowing the Transcendent God 50

Jesus, God's Only Son 56

The Holy Spirit 57

The Trinity 59

God in Contemporary Thought 67

Conclusion 74

For Further Reading 75

4 Jesus the Christ 77

Discovering the Historical Jesus 78

The Reign of God 80

Death and Resurrection 84

New Testament Christologies 87

Classical Christologies 91

Contemporary Christologies 94

Conclusion 104

For Further Reading 105

5 Revelation and Faith 107

General Revelation 108

Special Revelation 110

Dei Verbum 112

Models of Revelation 117

Revelation as Symbolic Mediation 122

Faith 125

Faith and Salvation 129

Modernity and the Loss of Faith 131

Conclusion 134

For Further Reading 135

6 Sin, Grace, and the Human Person 137

The Myth of the Fall 139

Paul 140

Original Sin 141

A Contemporary Approach 143

Grace 145

Catholic and Protestant Perspectives 146

Conclusion 161

For Further Reading 162

7 Mary and the Communion of Saints 164

The Concept of Communion 164

The Communion of Saints 166

Mary in the Church 168

The Marian Dogmas 173

Conclusion 177

For Further Reading 178

8 Church 180

The Jesus Movement 180

Churches in the New Testament 182

The Church in History 186

The Church of Vatican II 191

Contemporary Ecclesiologies 198

Some Unresolved Issues 202

Conclusion 208

For Further Reading 210

9 Sacramentality and Christian Initiation 212

Sacramentality 213

Contemporary Sacramental Theology 217

Christian Initiation 220

Conclusion 231

For Further Reading 233

10 Sacraments of Healing and Vocation 235

Penance and Reconciliation 235

Sacrament of the Sick 238

Marriage 239

Holy Orders 247

Conclusion 256

For Further Reading 258

11 Creation and Eschatology 260

Creation in Scripture 260

Creation in the Tradition 266

Creation and Science 270

Evolution and the Drama of Life 273

Eschatology 275

The Four Last Things 277

Purgatory 283

The Fullness of Salvation 285

Conclusion 288

For Further Reading 289

Index of Names 291

Index of Subjects 298

Editorial Reviews

"Thomas Rausch is a masterful teacher. With this book he offers a clear, well-informed introduction to contemporary Catholic systematic theology. Rausch insightfully maps its key areas, major figures, and frontier issues."
Robert P. Imbelli, Associate Professor of Theology Emeritus, Boston College, Author of Rekindling the Christic Imagination

EBOOK COMMENTARY

"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



"Covering every major topic in Catholic theology with his signature accessibility and insight, this treatment of systematic theology is Thomas Rausch's chef d'oeuvre. Students and teachers looking for a reliable overview of historical and contemporary approaches to theology will find no single volume better than this."
Michael Downey, editor of The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality



"Thomas P. Rausch, one of American Catholicism's finest writers, provides a solid introduction to the study of systematic theology, one that is attentive to its complex historical evolutions and contemporary face, while taking seriously its faith-filled, ecclesial, and contextual character. Educators and students alike will welcome his balanced presentation of the plurality of contemporary systematic theologies that carry forward the pastoral effort of mediating the meaning of a life in communion-with the Christian God, with other human persons in the church and society, and with the whole of creation-to the women and men of our time."
Catherine E. Clifford, Saint Paul University, Ottawa



"Rausch has produced a first-rate introduction to Catholic systematic theology. This book provides a cogent and up-to-date summary of the conversation in every major branch of systematic theology while also explaining the methods, biblical bases, historical development, and ecumenical perspectives that inform the debates. Rausch's writing is clear and engaging, making this text an excellent book for undergraduates. At the same time, it provides substantive contributions useful to advanced scholars. This book should be the top choice for anyone who wants to get the ‘lay of the land' in contemporary Catholic theology."
Mary Doak, Associate Professor, Theology and Religious Studies, University of San Diego



"Thomas Rausch is a masterful teacher. With this book he offers a clear, well-informed introduction to contemporary Catholic systematic theology. Rausch insightfully maps its key areas, major figures, and frontier issues."
Robert P. Imbelli, Associate Professor of Theology Emeritus, Boston College, Author of Rekindling the Christic Imagination



"Informed and informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, descriptively explanatory and instructively illuminating. . . . Highly recommended for clergy, seminary, and academic library Christian studies collections."
James A. Cox, The Midwest Book Review



"In this very readable text, Father Tom Rausch succeeds in offering a clear and balanced treatment of this complex and challenging material."
Catholic Library World



"He writes for those who need both a horizon tour of systematics and a first glance at those writers who have addressed themselves to the main themes in systematic theology. I could see this book to be a serviceable handbook for those beginning theological studies at the level of the master's degree. Along with the helpful reading suggestions at the end of each chapter, the book has a quite thorough index of names and topics."
Lawrence S. Cunningham, University of Notre Dame, Worship

From the Publisher