LIVING THE CATHOLIC FAITH IN THE 3RD MILLENIUM
A LAYMAN'S LOOK AT THE JOURNEY OF FAITH
Theology
COMMUNION FOR THE REMARRIED
The pope has given the go-ahead for discussion. He doesn't say whether he is on the side of those in favor or those against, but he appears to be much closer to the former than to the latter.
The pope has given the go-ahead for discussion. He doesn't say whether he is on the side of those in favor or those against, but he appears to be much closer to the former than to the latter.
FORGET THEOLOGICAL PURITY - THE CHURCH NEEDS A REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT
Organized religion in the West seems both lifeless and pregnant with possibility. Here's how we fix it.
Organized religion in the West seems both lifeless and pregnant with possibility. Here's how we fix it.
HUMANAE VITAE, A HALF-CENTURY ON
The 'enthusiasm gap' is reflective of more than just the present moment; it suggests continuation of the skirmishes within the Church that have persisted through Francis’s papacy.
The 'enthusiasm gap' is reflective of more than just the present moment; it suggests continuation of the skirmishes within the Church that have persisted through Francis’s papacy.
A WAKE-UP CALL TO LIBERAL THEOLOGIANS
The estrangement between academic theology and the institutional Church is one reason many younger Catholics are now turning to neo-traditionalist circles for instruction
The estrangement between academic theology and the institutional Church is one reason many younger Catholics are now turning to neo-traditionalist circles for instruction
DARING TO HOPE THAT ALL WILL BE SAVED
The history of the church has not been kind to the notion of universal salvation. Though there have been a good number of theologians who defend the hope that all may be saved, the church’s teaching for centuries has been that hell will not be empty.
The history of the church has not been kind to the notion of universal salvation. Though there have been a good number of theologians who defend the hope that all may be saved, the church’s teaching for centuries has been that hell will not be empty.
DOCTRINAL AUTHORITY IN THE FRANCIS ERA
Pope Francis's efforts to move away from a bloated understanding of doctrinal teaching authority toward a pastoral method...
Pope Francis's efforts to move away from a bloated understanding of doctrinal teaching authority toward a pastoral method...
FOR US AND FOR OUR SALVATION?
Rethinking Jesus’ death radically changes our image of God the Father from punishing and wrathful to one with whom most parents can identify.
Rethinking Jesus’ death radically changes our image of God the Father from punishing and wrathful to one with whom most parents can identify.
HOW TEILHARD DE CHARDIN'S HIDDEN RESPONSE TO VATICAN CENSURE FINALLY CAME TO LIGHT
Teilhard's Six Propositions were locked away from that time until 2007 when they were discovered in the Jesuit archives in Rome.
Teilhard's Six Propositions were locked away from that time until 2007 when they were discovered in the Jesuit archives in Rome.
INFALLIBILITY - HANS KUNG APPEALS TO POPE FRANCIS
An urgent appeal to Pope Francis to permit an open and impartial discussion on infallibility of pope and bishops.
An urgent appeal to Pope Francis to permit an open and impartial discussion on infallibility of pope and bishops.
INQUIRY OR INQUISITION? ANOTHER LOOK AT FATHER TEILHARD DE CHARDIN
His attempts to integrate new science and faith led to a ban on teaching and publishing during his lifetime.
His attempts to integrate new science and faith led to a ban on teaching and publishing during his lifetime.
IS ALL CHURCH TEACHING CREATED EQUAL?
We tend to give all church teaching the same weight and authority, but is dumping limbo tantamount to dumping the Trinity?
We tend to give all church teaching the same weight and authority, but is dumping limbo tantamount to dumping the Trinity?
IT'S NOTHING PERSONAL
Papal infallibility is utterly misunderstood. Nowhere is it decreed that the pope is infallible; the Catholic Church has never taught that any pope is infallible.
Papal infallibility is utterly misunderstood. Nowhere is it decreed that the pope is infallible; the Catholic Church has never taught that any pope is infallible.
PARALLEL MAGISTERIUM?
If theologians are condemned for not being in conformity with the Catechism, can they do theology at all?
If theologians are condemned for not being in conformity with the Catechism, can they do theology at all?
PASTORAL WORK AND THEOLOGY CANNOT BE SEPARATED
The distinction between the disciplines of theological work and how these function in our common life is necessary.
The distinction between the disciplines of theological work and how these function in our common life is necessary.
SCHILLEBEECKX'S PIERCING INQUIRY BROUGHT JESUS ALIVE
Jesus' human story is 'the story of God,' 'the parable of God himself,' 'God translated for us'; he is the 'mystic and exegete of God.'
Jesus' human story is 'the story of God,' 'the parable of God himself,' 'God translated for us'; he is the 'mystic and exegete of God.'
TIME TO REHABILITATE TEILHARD DE CHARDIN?
Naming Jesuit Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin a doctor of the church — or at least removing the 'warning' from his writings — would give the Jesuit scientist and philosopher more legitimacy in the church. And two separate petitions to the Vatican aim to do just that.
Naming Jesuit Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin a doctor of the church — or at least removing the 'warning' from his writings — would give the Jesuit scientist and philosopher more legitimacy in the church. And two separate petitions to the Vatican aim to do just that.
THAT '70S CHURCH
The Roman Catholic tradition does not need to be afraid of history; its central claim is that God became a man who fully experienced the contingencies of life in a certain time and place.
The Roman Catholic tradition does not need to be afraid of history; its central claim is that God became a man who fully experienced the contingencies of life in a certain time and place.
A QUESTION OF CONSCIENCE
Many U.S. Catholics find themselves stranded between those two worlds, especially when individual conscience comes into conflict with clear, if disputed, church teaching.
Many U.S. Catholics find themselves stranded between those two worlds, especially when individual conscience comes into conflict with clear, if disputed, church teaching.
LAW, ORDER AND IDOLATRY: THE IMPORTANCE OF NEGATIVE THEOLOGY FOR POLITICS
We ought to continually struggle towards a justice that is greater than what we presently understand.
We ought to continually struggle towards a justice that is greater than what we presently understand.
JESUS' TEACHINGS ON MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE
Development in teaching, development in interpretation, or change in teaching, change in interpretation – depending upon what word is preferred – has happened throughout Christian history, from the beginning of the Church.
Development in teaching, development in interpretation, or change in teaching, change in interpretation – depending upon what word is preferred – has happened throughout Christian history, from the beginning of the Church.
A THEOLOGY OF ENCOUNTER
How many of us know what it is to be known not as who we are, but only by the labels that society gives us? Sometimes they are fairly innocuous. Sometimes they aren’t.
How many of us know what it is to be known not as who we are, but only by the labels that society gives us? Sometimes they are fairly innocuous. Sometimes they aren’t.
NOTES FROM THE CLASSROOM: OUR CHURCH IN CONTROVERY
A reflection on teaching theology in a time of scandal: Reckoning with the ways our church falls short carves out space for the possibility that we might do better.
A reflection on teaching theology in a time of scandal: Reckoning with the ways our church falls short carves out space for the possibility that we might do better.
THEOLOGY NEEDS RADICAL REVISIONING
What does a "religious solution" to the environmental problem look like in a church that seems to be riddled with dysfunction?
What does a "religious solution" to the environmental problem look like in a church that seems to be riddled with dysfunction?
DOES CHURCH TEACHING CHANGE?
Church Doctrine at Trent, Vatican I, and Vatican II. What institutions wittingly or unwittingly chose to remember and chose to forget from their past makes them what they are.
Church Doctrine at Trent, Vatican I, and Vatican II. What institutions wittingly or unwittingly chose to remember and chose to forget from their past makes them what they are.
TRASHING TEILHARD
How not to read a great religious thinker
How not to read a great religious thinker
DEVELOPMENT OF DOCTRINE IS A PEOPLE THAT WALKS TOGETHER
Journeying through the ages, the Church sees and learns new things, always growing deeper in her understanding of the Faith.
Journeying through the ages, the Church sees and learns new things, always growing deeper in her understanding of the Faith.
AGAINST BOURGEOIS RELIGION
Remembering Johann Baptist Metz: His chief contribution to theology is not so much a system, or even a set of positions, but a body of lapidary phrases that haunt and disturb theological discourse...
Remembering Johann Baptist Metz: His chief contribution to theology is not so much a system, or even a set of positions, but a body of lapidary phrases that haunt and disturb theological discourse...
RICHARD ROHR REORDERS THE UNIVERSE
Christ — essentially, God’s love for the world — has existed since the beginning of time, suffuses everything in creation, and has been present in all cultures and civilizations.
Christ — essentially, God’s love for the world — has existed since the beginning of time, suffuses everything in creation, and has been present in all cultures and civilizations.
HOW TO DO MORAL THEOLOGY TODAY
Alessandro Rovati proposes New Wine, New Wineskins as an antidote to the crisis of Catholic moral theology.
Alessandro Rovati proposes New Wine, New Wineskins as an antidote to the crisis of Catholic moral theology.
HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER
Stale images of God aren't working for today's seekers, says Elizabeth Johnson. New ones are emerging from the experiences of all God's people, male and female.
Stale images of God aren't working for today's seekers, says Elizabeth Johnson. New ones are emerging from the experiences of all God's people, male and female.
LONERGAN ON A WORLD ON FIRE
To understand: this our great, complex calling, requiring all that we are. We do not understand unless we have labored; we do not know until we have asked every question; we are not responsible except with a living mind.
To understand: this our great, complex calling, requiring all that we are. We do not understand unless we have labored; we do not know until we have asked every question; we are not responsible except with a living mind.
BAD TRADITIONALISM
The social order of things — its hierarchies, its divisions — may seem inevitable; it is not. Christ’s love breaks it open.
The social order of things — its hierarchies, its divisions — may seem inevitable; it is not. Christ’s love breaks it open.
REVISITING THE QUESTION OF "MINISTRY"
Some criteria for a pragmatic theology of liturgical ministry: there is only one [merely logical] certainty: the future will not be like the past. And when the present seeks to recede into its past, it is untrue to its own moment.
Some criteria for a pragmatic theology of liturgical ministry: there is only one [merely logical] certainty: the future will not be like the past. And when the present seeks to recede into its past, it is untrue to its own moment.
I'LL MEET YOU AT THE CROSS: A POST-ELECTION THEOLOGY OF ENCOUNTER
The acknowledgment that human suffering and moments of shared vulnerability could open our humanity to the kind of brief yet necessary encounter that tells us that our political opponent is also human, yes, even loveable.
The acknowledgment that human suffering and moments of shared vulnerability could open our humanity to the kind of brief yet necessary encounter that tells us that our political opponent is also human, yes, even loveable.
INFALLIBILITY: TIME TO FIND ANOTHER TERM FOR THIS DOCTRINE?
There must be a better way of explaining this technical description relating to the most important group of the Church’s teachings — a different way of explaining and communicating such important doctrinal processes.
There must be a better way of explaining this technical description relating to the most important group of the Church’s teachings — a different way of explaining and communicating such important doctrinal processes.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MARTYRDOM AND A VICTIM-COMPLEX
The American Church often looks too much like the earlier iteration of Velasco, seeking political power. In so doing, it often posits itself a victim, and therefore aims at an ultimate end that is an idol.
The American Church often looks too much like the earlier iteration of Velasco, seeking political power. In so doing, it often posits itself a victim, and therefore aims at an ultimate end that is an idol.
A SYLLABUS OF INTERNET THEOLOGY ERRORS
The Digital Age is a period of both gain and loss. In just a few short years, the world has become both as small as one’s hometown and many times more hostile and strange.
The Digital Age is a period of both gain and loss. In just a few short years, the world has become both as small as one’s hometown and many times more hostile and strange.
INTERPRETING REALITY
This previously unpublished text is a set of notes intended for further study. It can be dated between the end of 1987 and the middle of 1988, when Fr. Bergoglio (now Pope Francis) was working on his thesis on Romano Guardini ...
This previously unpublished text is a set of notes intended for further study. It can be dated between the end of 1987 and the middle of 1988, when Fr. Bergoglio (now Pope Francis) was working on his thesis on Romano Guardini ...
HANS KÜNG, CATHOLIC THEOLOGIAN WITH A POWERFUL CRITIQUE, DIES AT 93
A prolific writer and a prominent speaker, he promoted dialogue among religions and challenged Vatican doctrine on many fronts, provoking its censure.
A prolific writer and a prominent speaker, he promoted dialogue among religions and challenged Vatican doctrine on many fronts, provoking its censure.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF THE WORLD
Resurrection does not restore our natural life, but gives us a whole new life, a life on the other side of death, where death can no longer touch us.
Resurrection does not restore our natural life, but gives us a whole new life, a life on the other side of death, where death can no longer touch us.
CHARLES CURRAN REMEMBERS HANS KÜNG
Hans Küng has been the strongest voice for reform in the Catholic Church during the last 60 years, calling for a broad-based reform of the Catholic Church and pointed toward the goal of the reunion of all Christians.
Hans Küng has been the strongest voice for reform in the Catholic Church during the last 60 years, calling for a broad-based reform of the Catholic Church and pointed toward the goal of the reunion of all Christians.
AN INTERVIEW WITH HANS KÜNG
From Commonweal archives: A 1971 interview with Swiss Catholic theologian Hans Küng, who talks about papal infallibility, resisting authority, and his struggle for a less rationalist and more existential Christianity.
From Commonweal archives: A 1971 interview with Swiss Catholic theologian Hans Küng, who talks about papal infallibility, resisting authority, and his struggle for a less rationalist and more existential Christianity.
THE OBSCENITY OF BELIEF IN AN ETERNAL HELL
The belief that a God of infinite intellect, justice, love, and power would condemn rational beings to a state of endless suffering is worse than merely scandalous
The belief that a God of infinite intellect, justice, love, and power would condemn rational beings to a state of endless suffering is worse than merely scandalous
REAPPROPRIATING THE MYSTERY AND MEANING OF SALVATION IN CHRIST
The Eucharistic language of “we” will be the native language of that Kingdom where the full communion of humanity with the life of the Trinity is celebrated through our Lord Jesus Christ...
The Eucharistic language of “we” will be the native language of that Kingdom where the full communion of humanity with the life of the Trinity is celebrated through our Lord Jesus Christ...
BETWEEN BOND AND BREACH: THE COVENANTAL THEOLOGY OF LEONARD COHEN
Any attentive listener to Leonard Cohen’s music will discover an aesthetic vision underpinned by a rich, and complicated, covenantal theology.
Any attentive listener to Leonard Cohen’s music will discover an aesthetic vision underpinned by a rich, and complicated, covenantal theology.
LUKE TIMOTHY JOHNSON WANTS US TO READ PAUL IN ALL HIS COMPLEXITY
The ambition to construct a theology of Paul is inherently misguided — and therefore fatally flawed — for three basic reasons...
The ambition to construct a theology of Paul is inherently misguided — and therefore fatally flawed — for three basic reasons...
LOVE TO THE VERY END: A THEOLOGY OF DEMENTIA
Christian personalism may hold the key for answering existential questions concerning the relationship between consciousness, memory, and our experience of God.
Christian personalism may hold the key for answering existential questions concerning the relationship between consciousness, memory, and our experience of God.
TRADITION IS AN ELUSIVE TERM
Tradition is a reality much deeper than a collection of ancient customs or a conservative force in human history safeguarding against change. It is a living reality active in the Church’s faith, witness, and practice
Tradition is a reality much deeper than a collection of ancient customs or a conservative force in human history safeguarding against change. It is a living reality active in the Church’s faith, witness, and practice
SEVEN OBSERVATIONS ON WHAT WE MEAN BY THE WORD GOD
..."You are God — ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, always existing and ever the same — You and Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit"
..."You are God — ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, always existing and ever the same — You and Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit"
THE EUCHARIST IS JUSTICE
To live the Eucharist is to pursue justice. The Eucharist, though, does not only inspire the pursuit of justice but also shapes the very meaning of justice.
To live the Eucharist is to pursue justice. The Eucharist, though, does not only inspire the pursuit of justice but also shapes the very meaning of justice.
THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING GOD
Not only is the Eucharist central as the regula fidei, it is what gives coherence to all else, it is the key to our understanding of God as infinite self-gift...
Not only is the Eucharist central as the regula fidei, it is what gives coherence to all else, it is the key to our understanding of God as infinite self-gift...
UNDERSTANDING THE EUCHARIST
Our inability to appreciate and understand the symbolic element of the sacraments has led to many unnecessary theological and doctrinal conflicts.
Our inability to appreciate and understand the symbolic element of the sacraments has led to many unnecessary theological and doctrinal conflicts.
HENRI DE LUBAC’S SACRAMENTAL VISION
If a sacramental vision is absent, the zone of the “sacred” becomes a mere abstraction and the zone of the “secular” becomes a hellscape devoid of hope, faith, and charity.
If a sacramental vision is absent, the zone of the “sacred” becomes a mere abstraction and the zone of the “secular” becomes a hellscape devoid of hope, faith, and charity.
A THEOLOGY OF HEAVEN FOR OUR TIME
Our culture’s images of heaven are so saccharine, so sentimental, so boring. What would it be like to hold out the possibility of actual peace, reconciliation, and abundance for all?
Our culture’s images of heaven are so saccharine, so sentimental, so boring. What would it be like to hold out the possibility of actual peace, reconciliation, and abundance for all?
NATURAL LAW IS NOT IMMUTABLE
Natural law is not beyond evolution and may even be a product of it, and how it is understood may be different in different contexts.
Natural law is not beyond evolution and may even be a product of it, and how it is understood may be different in different contexts.
TEACHING THEOLOGY TO TEENS? BE OPEN TO UNEXPECTED ANSWERS
Adults need to realize that many teens have been harmed by a religious tradition in one way or another and have good reasons for skepticism.
Adults need to realize that many teens have been harmed by a religious tradition in one way or another and have good reasons for skepticism.
THEOLOGIAN GAILLARDETZ WARNS AGAINST OVER-CRITIQUE OF CHURCH IN 'LAST LECTURE'
In an hourlong discourse the theologian encouraged his colleagues to continue the work of "meaningful and lasting ecclesial reform"
In an hourlong discourse the theologian encouraged his colleagues to continue the work of "meaningful and lasting ecclesial reform"
DON’T MAKE MARY THE FEMININE FACE OF GOD
Marian images serve as compensation for the core male images of king, lord, and father. But compensation is only a partial remedy.
Marian images serve as compensation for the core male images of king, lord, and father. But compensation is only a partial remedy.
WHAT IS LIBERATION THEOLOGY?
Broadly speaking, liberation theology is a social and political movement within the church that attempts to interpret the gospel of Jesus Christ through the lived experiences of oppressed people.
Broadly speaking, liberation theology is a social and political movement within the church that attempts to interpret the gospel of Jesus Christ through the lived experiences of oppressed people.
HOW CAN WE GET TO KNOW THE HOLY SPIRIT — AND WHAT PRONOUN SHOULD WE USE?
We can experience the Holy Spirit by becoming attuned to the Spirit's movement in our experiences. We just might find that she defies our preconceived notions of God.
We can experience the Holy Spirit by becoming attuned to the Spirit's movement in our experiences. We just might find that she defies our preconceived notions of God.
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