Why the Cross?: Divine Friendship and the Power of Justice

by Ligita Ryliskyte

Overview

In this book, Ligita Ryliskyte addresses what is arguably the most important and profound question in systematic theology: What does it mean for humankind to be saved by the cross? Offering a constructive account of the atonement that avoids pitting God's saving love against divine justice, she provides a biblically-grounded and philosophically disciplined theology of the cross that responds to the exigencies of postmodern secular culture. Ryliskyte draws on Bernard J. F. Lonergan's development of the Augustinian-Thomist tradition to argue that the justice of the cross concerns the orderly communication and diffusion of divine friendship. It  becomes efficacious in the dynamic order of the emergent universe through the transformation of evil into good out of love. Showing how inherited theological traditions can be transposed in new contexts, Ryliskyte's book reveals a Christology of fundamental significance for contemporary systematic theology, as well as the fields of theological ethics and Christian spirituality.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781009202763
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/05/2023
Series:	Current Issues in Theology
Pages:	350
Product dimensions:	5.71(w) x 8.74(h) x 1.22(d)

About the Author

Ligita Ryliškytė, SJE, is a systematic theologian who aims to develop the inherited theological tradition in dialogue with contemporary cultures. A native of Lithuania and a religious sister, she is also a winner of the prize for the best dissertation of the year in the humanities at Boston College (2020).

Table of Contents

1. The exigencies of secular culture; 2. 'But we preach Christ Crucified'; 3. Augustine's 'Justice over Power': the humble love that restores order; 4. 'Justice over Power' in light of Augustine's De Ciuitate Dei; 5. The justice of the cross in St. Thomas: In Nobis, Sed Non Sine Nobis; 6. St. Thomas on Christ's satisfaction: when justice meets charity; 7. Lonergan's transposition: a turn to historically conscious interiority; 8. The law of the cross: transformation of evil into Good; 9. Historically-minded systematics: three explanatory elements; 10. Cur Deus Cruciatus? New wine into new wineskins.

Editorial Reviews

‘… any instructor planning a graduate seminar on soteriology or secularism, any interdisciplinary conversation about creating a more just society should seriously consider [this] book.’ Jennifer Sanders, Theological Studies

‘… a model of scholarship - well researched and meticulous. And it develops a line of thought ripe for careful study: the relationship between the doctrine of the atonement and the logic of friendship (John 15:13), doing so by delving into some of the great theologians of the doctrine, while bringing Lonergan prominently into the discussion. This alone merits her book careful attention.’ Adam J. Johnson, Scottish Journal of Theology

From the Publisher