The Shape of Catholic Theology: An Introduction to Its Sources, Principles, and History

by Aidan Nichols OP

Overview

An exemplary summary of the state of Catholic theology and what appears to be its future.

This historical treatment of Catholic theology looks not to the content of that theology but rather to the form in which that content is contained and how it is expressed. Faithful to Catholic teaching yet critical, discerning yet impartial, Nichols offers this introduction to dogmatic theology, with the firm belief that dogmatics are the center of theology, and that any theological discipline which cuts itself off from these heartlands does so at its own peril. For it is in dogmatics that theology is in touch with the heart of revelation, and only by virtue of the quality of its contact with that revelation is thinking Christian at all.

Though comprehensive and far-reaching, this work is not beyond the understanding of people just commencing a study of theology. It makes an excellent text for study groups.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814619094
Publisher:	Liturgical Press
Publication date:	04/01/1991
Pages:	376
Sales rank:	850,622
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.94(d)

About the Author

Fr. Aidan Nichols, O.P., of Blackfriars, Cambridge, is a lecturer at Cambridge University. He was awarded the title Sacrae Theologiae Magister by the Dominican order in 2003. His many important works include The Shape of Catholic Theology: An Introduction to its Sources, Principles and History; Epiphany: A Theological Introduction to Catholicism; Lovely, like Jerusalem: The Fulfillment of the Old Testament in Christ and the Church; The Thought of Pope Benedict XVI: An Introduction to the Theology of Joseph Ratzinger; and, most recently, Lost in Wonder: Essays on Liturgy and the Arts.

Table of Contents

Contents
Preface    7
Abbreviations    9

Part One: Introducing Theology
  1  The Habit of Theology    13 
  2  The Task of Theology    27

Part Two: The Role of Philosophy in Theology 
  3  General Principles    41
  4  The Existence and Concept of God    55
  5  Theodicy and the Idea of Salvation    66
  6  The Possibility and Historicity of Revelation    74
  7  The Philosophical Principle of Order in Theology    91

Part Three: Scripture as a Source in Theology 
  8  The Authority of Scripture: Canonicity    99
  9  The Authority of Scripture: Inspiration    110
10  The Authority of Scripture: Inerrancy    131
11  The Interpretation of Scripture: The Letter    141
12  The Interpretation of Scripture: The Spirit    154

Part Four: Tradition as a Source in Theology
13  The Nature of Tradition    165
14  The Liturgy and Christian Art    181
15  Fathers, Councils, and Creeds    200
16  The Sense of the Faithful    221 

Part Five: Aids to Discernment in Theology
17  Experience    235
18  The Magisterium    248

Part Six: Plurality and Unity in Catholic Theology
19  Soundings in Theological History    263
20  The Theological Principle of Order    349

Appendix on Encyclopedias and Bibliographical Aids    357
Select Bibliographies    359
Index of Names    366
Index of Subjects    371

Editorial Reviews

This is a sound introduction to the doing of Catholic theology designed for use by the theological student but entirely accessible to the general educated reader.
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