Catholic Theology. By Tracey Rowland. Pp. 256, London, T&T Clark, 2017, $20.89. ISBN 978-0567034380. Review by Thomas V. Gourlay (original) (raw)
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The Criteria of “Authentically” Catholic Theology: Reading Theology Today a Decade Later
Religions, 2021
In light of the fecundity and diversity of Catholic theology since Vatican II, a 2012 report of the International Theological Commission (ITC) identified perspectives, principles, and criteria—distinctive family traits—of Catholic theology, what Pope Benedict XVI called its “genetic code”: primacy of the Word of God; the faith of the Church as its source, context, and norm; the science of faith; drawing constantly on the canonical witness of Scripture; fidelity to the Apostolic Tradition; attention to the sensus fidelium; responsible adherence to the ecclesiastical magisterium; practiced in collaboration with the whole company of theologians; in dialogue with the world; giving a scientifically and rationally argued presentation of the Christian faith; integration of plurality in the intellectus fidei; and sapiential. This article marks the 10th anniversary of the ITC report by offering a critical commentary on the criteria, examining the possibilities, limitations, and tensions inhe...
International Journal of Practical Theology, 2015
As a person or people of faith, why do we do what we do? We could certainly answer this sociologically or anthropologically or historically, tracing the genealogy and evolution of any given practice through time and culture. Practical theology, though, aims to get to all of that all at onceto theorize and also reflect on the theological import of how we live out our faith lives. For most of its existence, "practical theology" has long been a term associated with and a discipline within Euro-American Protestantism. With its focus on congregational life or, alternatively, the various pastoral/ministerial arts as modes of cultivating the faith, it seemed to have no exact counterpart in Catholic circles. However, in the wake of Vatican II and the "practical theological revolution" (35) that it spawned, much more open dialogue and freer collaboration between Catholics and Protestants has become more normal than not in both academic and ecclesial settings. This, combined with greater emphasis on the pastoral aspects of Catholic theology and the growing role of laity, especially as they learned to exercise more and more agency over their own faith lives, laid the groundwork for practical theology as a discipline to take root in Catholic circles, with unique twists and commitments of its own. In the Catholic context, the big word, of course, is Tradition, and the concern of how that and the faith are passed down from one generation to the next and subsequently lived out lie at the heart of Catholic practical theology. Claire Wolfteich's volume presents the reader with a primer for the field, and she takes care to lead us directly into an animated conversation already in progress while giving ample, helpful background and context. While the individual chapters focus on U.S. authors, concerns, and perspectives, the book overall is open to more global conversations that would address other cultures and questions. Practical theology, from this Catholic perspective, occupies that ambiguous, permeable, lively space between the doctrines, theories, and texts that constitute the formal part of the faith on the one hand and the experience of lived religion infused by theological imagination on the other. In this, it touches on yet is distinct from pastoral theology, with the latter's focus on the pastoral and ministerial arts. It embraces the complexity of that lived experience and seeks to understand it as
From System to Fragment and Back Again? Mapping Catholic (Re)Sources for Practical Theology
E. Wolfteich, Editor, Invitation to Practical Theology: Catholic Voices and Visions (Mahwah: Paulist Press, 2014). As the formal discipline of practical theology developed largely in Protestant contexts, this chapter provides an overview of that history interwoven with attention to related developments in Catholic theology and ecclesial life. We will explore the prominence of moral theology as the framework for the training of clergy up to Vatican II; lay movements and the "see-judge-act" model of practical theological reflection; Catholic social teaching as an example of practical theology; the development of pastoral and liturgical theologies; liberation theologies; the rise of lay ecclesial ministry; and the lasting significance of Vatican II for Catholic theological reflection on practice. The chapter shows the need for more explicit attention to practical theology, a potentially vital resource, within the Catholic community and in the formation of its leaders. We also will highlight the growing importance of Catholic theological leaders in the current field.
A Developing Discipline: The Catholic Voice in Practical Theology
Invitation to Practical Theology, ed. Claire Wolfteich, 2014
"The Catholic voice in practical theology springs specifically from the profoundly Catholic concern with the intelligibility of practice and the ways in which beliefs, sacred narratives, ritual enactments, canons, and authorities cohere into a vital community of faith."
Review of: "Catholicity in thirteen words
First, let me say that I appreciate Professor Blanco-Sarto's efforts to summarize Christianity in just 13 carefully considered words. This is not an easy task. Indeed, each descriptor offers a potent and meaningful counterpoint that begs further elaboration and hermeneutics beyond what is capable in what I understand to be a brief introduction to his course. Ultimately, I would expect that each descriptor would warrant at least an entire class of dialogue for his students to even begin to comprehend its import, particular understanding within the tenets of the Christian Faith, and its interrelationship and interconnectedness with each of the other descriptors, which together provide a more fulsome understanding of the Christian faith.
MY JOURNEY TO CATHOLICISM: A THEOLOGICAL NARRATIVE
The purpose of this paper is to tell the narrative of my theological development analyzing the foundations of my spiritual background. The method used in this paper is based upon knowledge about the maternal and paternal sides of my family. Due to the fact that my father’s teachings as a pastor have influenced me directly, I will emphasize his doctrines and their origins in this paper. My father was influenced by Oral Roberts, but the origins of his doctrines are rooted in the Latter Rain Movement and specifically the teachings of Bill Britton2 namely, the manifested Sons of God, immortality and the movement’s view of denominational churches. The goal of this research is to examine the spiritual roots of my father because these teachings greatly influenced my life as an up-and-coming minister. However, my personal studies, specifically reading the works of Jonathan Edwards3, led to an inner conflict because I realized I was not raised to believe orthodox Christian doctrines thus I pursued a bachelor degree in theological- historical studies at Oral Roberts University. While attending Oral Roberts University, I was confronted not only with theology that was rooted in the sacred Scriptures but also theology that was founded historically in opposition of heretical propositions thus increasing the inner turmoil due to the revelation of error in my childhood belief structure.