Systematic Theology

[Purgation_Road]

I wasn’t sure where to put this.

I’m looking for a good book on Catholic Systematic Theology. Any suggestions?

Purgation

 

[richardeekw]

Systematic theology incorporates the following subjects

Fundamental theology;
dogmatic theology;
moral theology;
Christian social teachings;
canon law;
philosophical-theological propaedeutic.

Path of the Solution Integration of the individual expressions of faith into faith as a whole

Framing the question In what do the significance and the unity of the witnesses to revelation consist?

(Beinert, W /Fiorenza, F (eds). Handbook of Catholic Theology, p. 702, Crossroads Pub Co. N.Y. 1995)

My personal Recommendation is

Catholicism: New Study Edition–Completely Revised and Updated (Paperback)
by Richard P. Mcbrien “Catholicism is a rich and diverse reality…” (more)
Key Phrases: scholarly liberalism, postbaptismal rites, active spiration, New York, New Testament, Jesus Christ (more…)

Go to www.amazon.com and read the contents/sampling.

God Bless

 

[Purgation_Road]

Richard,

I appreciate the response. My only problem with anything by McBrien is that I understand him to be borderline heretical.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

I wasn’t sure where to put this.

I’m looking for a good book on Catholic Systematic Theology. Any suggestions?

Purgation

Try these :​

God in Revelation - by Michael Schmaus

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

Lots more here

Principles of Catholic Theology: Building Stones for a Fundamental Theology by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

• the last is also available here

You might also consider looking at some works of the late Hans Urs von Balthasar, here

I would recommend anything by Nichols or Ratzinger - you might also consider Avery Dulles’ books “Models of the Church” & Models of Revelation

And there is always Rahner - who is a “must read”. And Henri de Lubac.

Or, best of all, St.Thomas Aquinas - he’s not omniscient, or infallible, or the entire Catholic tradition. But he is worthwhile - & readable. And when you’ve finishing reading him, there are Origen & St. Augustine, the two greatest fathers of the East & West; and, “the father of systematic theology” himself, St. Irenaeus of Lyons. That should take a day or two to get through ##

 

[dalcent]

I wasn’t sure where to put this.

I’m looking for a good book on Catholic Systematic Theology. Any suggestions?

Purgation

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the Church’s “official” theology laid out systematically and dogmatically.

If you wish to study contemporary Catholic theology (in which I have an MA degree) then you have to broaden your scope and study the full spectrum of modern Catholic thought.

McBrien’s work Catholicism is indeed the finest current Introduction available. It is particularly valuable because of the exhaustive bibliographies he supplies in every field in which he writes. I don’t think there is anything else competing with his tome.

McBrien is genuinely representative of Catholic academic theology which is deliberately speculative and typically progressive. If you study philosophy you would want to study all the thinkers and themes pertinent to modernity.

Of course, if you don’t want to risk reading heresy (Karl Rahner, Hans Kung, Liberation theology etc.) then stick with the official handbook.

Dal

 

[WanderAimlessly]

Richard,

I appreciate the response. My only problem with anything by McBrien is that I understand him to be borderline heretical.

McBrien is the darling of the MSM elitists. I would not read anything by him.

 

[WanderAimlessly]

Try these :​

God in Revelation - by Michael Schmaus

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

Lots more here

Principles of Catholic Theology: Building Stones for a Fundamental Theology by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

• the last is also available here

You might also consider looking at some works of the late Hans Urs von Balthasar, here

I would recommend anything by Nichols or Ratzinger - you might also consider Avery Dulles’ books “Models of the Church” & Models of Revelation

And there is always Rahner - who is a “must read”. And Henri de Lubac.

Or, best of all, St.Thomas Aquinas - he’s not omniscient, or infallible, or the entire Catholic tradition. But he is worthwhile - & readable. And when you’ve finishing reading him, there are Origen & St. Augustine, the two greatest fathers of the East & West; and, “the father of systematic theology” himself, St. Irenaeus of Lyons. That should take a day or two to get through ##

I have read The Shape of Catholic Theology: and %between%Principles of Catholic Theology. Start with Fr. Nichols’ book. It is a much easier read.

 

[dalcent]

What is your objective in studying Systematic Theology? the priesthood, intending to go to university, think it would help proselytizing being ‘wised up.’

I was recommended McBrien’s book as summer reading before starting my Contemporary Catholic Theology degree by the former President of the Catholic Theological Association and lecturer in Catholic Systematic Theology for 20 years. Yes, McBrien’s a bit liberal: only a knee-jerk Catholic fundamentalist who would call him a heretic though! McBrien is an leading academic, he’s not teaching catechism class. Nevertheless, McBrien is very accessible and clear for the non-specialist neophyte.

Table of Contents (have a flick through the contents!)

McBrien’s extensive booklists supplied after every chapter are superb and lists virtually ALL the important books a Catholic theologian needs to keep going for a couple of centuries!

 

[David_Zampino]

Richard,

I appreciate the response. My only problem with anything by McBrien is that I understand him to be borderline heretical.

I agree – and I’m not particularly impressed with his “Catholicism”.

There are good systematic theologies out there. The question becomes this: Are there any good Introductions to systematic theology – and that is a bigger problem.

Try Hans Urs von Balthasar’s “The Glory of the Lord: Vol. 1”; and his “Theo-Drama: Vol. 3” as a starting point.

His paperback series “Explorations in Theology” are good as well.

Blessings,

 

[dalcent]

In what way is the Catechism of the Catholic Church not an adequate Systematic Theology for conservative Catholic laymen: that is, a ‘single, coherent and well-ordered presentation’?

 

[David_Zampino]

In what way is the Catechism of the Catholic Church not an adequate Systematic Theology for conservative Catholic laymen: that is, a ‘single, coherent and well-ordered presentation’?

I’m sorry – I was assuming that the original poster was looking for reference material beyond Church documents.

Indeed, the Catechism is an outstanding systematic presentation of the Faith – and, via the notes, provides many other documents for reference. I have a copy of the “Companion to the Catechism of the Catholic Church” which provides the context for each Scripture reference; Church document; Patristic writing, etc.

All of the high-school CCD students at my parish are given a copy of the Bible and a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Blessings,

 

[dalcent]

Hi Fr Zampino,

Would HUvB’s immense project be accessible to a novice. I ask this as a genuine question not being familar with the actual texts which look mighty daunting to me. Are they clear and accessible.

I have considered getting some of these volumes!

 

[David_Zampino]

Hi Fr Zampino,

Would HUvB’s immense project be accessible to a novice. I ask this as a genuine question not being familar with the actual texts which look mighty daunting to me. Are they clear and accessible.

I have considered getting some of these volumes!

If you are interested, I would suggest first checking out the “Explorations in Theology” from a library. If you do decide to proceed (and I would encourage you to do so – von Balthasar was EXTREMELY influential in my conversion) I would suggest vol. 1 of “The Glory of the Lord” and vol. 3 of “Theo-Drama”.

It will take some “digesting”. But, in my opinion, the effort is well worth it.

Please feel free to PM me if you like.

Blessings,

 

[Janet_S]

Yes, McBrien’s a bit liberal: only a knee-jerk Catholic fundamentalist who would call him a heretic though! McBrien is an leading academic, he’s not teaching catechism class. Nevertheless, McBrien is very accessible and clear for the non-specialist neophyte.

I guess I am a “knee-jerk Catholic fundamentalist.” Here is one of his articles:

the-tidings.com/2006/0106/essays.htm

The Church is clear in its opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage. I would not trust a theologian who disregards the authority of the Church in teaching faith and morals and who prefers to “go with the flow.” We belong to a Church that moves the world, not one that is moved by the world (a paraphrase from GKC). Does he think he is wiser than the Church? Ultimately it does not matter how well educated, intelligent, or renowed a person is. We all have intellects that are prone to error without the guidance of the Church. This applies to the theologians as well as it does to all of us.

 

[dalcent]

I guess I am a “knee-jerk Catholic fundamentalist.” Here is one of his articles:

the-tidings.com/2006/0106/essays.htm

The Church is clear in its opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage. I would not trust a theologian who disregards the authority of the Church in teaching faith and morals and who prefers to “go with the flow.”

McBrien questions the tactics of an Internet pressure group who picketed a Catholic Charity award for Boston’s liberal Catholic mayor. His main point seems to be are humanitarian and altrustic works by liberal (pro-choice) Catholic politicians and laymen necessarily to go unrecognised by the Church?

As the discussion revolves round McBrien’s book Catholicism the thrust of your critique would be better targeted at what McBrien writes regarding abortion (1007-11, Third Edition). Here, he asserts the official teaching of the Church is ‘taken as a given in the discussion that follows…’

McBrien lays out the modern academic debate regarding abortion: the moral law vs civil law, electoral consensus, etc. He asserts , ‘Catholics are still forbidden by the moral law to have abortions even if the civil law permits’ and that Yes, abortion should be made illegal.

McBrien’s remit is to present, discuss and debate the pluralistic trends of contemporary Catholic study. His book is theological; it is not meant to be a catechism nor does it really purport to be his own views. McBrien writes about Teilhard de Chardin, Liberation theology, Karl Rahner, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Raymond Brown, et al presenting their contributions with impartiality. Theology in the academy is meant to be done this way.

Catholicism is meant to be reflective of the Catholic academic world, not necessarily of the official Magesterium and certainly not the world of popular apologetics and our polemics against born-again Christians…

 

[Janet_S]

As the discussion revolves round McBrien’s book Catholicism the thrust of your critique would be better targeted at what McBrien writes regarding abortion (1007-11, Third Edition). Here, he asserts the official teaching of the Church is ‘taken as a given in the discussion that follows…’

McBrien lays out the modern academic debate regarding abortion: the moral law vs civil law, electoral consensus, etc. He asserts , ‘Catholics are still forbidden by the moral law to have abortions even if the civil law permits’ and that Yes, abortion should be made illegal.

Sorry, I am disturbed by his article “Banned in Boston.” He obviously has a callous, scornful attitude towards the pro-lifers. He may say that “Catholics are forbidden to have abortions and that abortions should be made illegal,” but does he really believe this? I doubt it from reading this article. In this article, he criticizes Operation Rescue as being “a militant anti-abortion organization” and belittles a group called “FaithfulVoice” (a group committed to following the Magisterium of the RCC) because they opposed the state of Massachusetts mandating that all hospitals (Catholic ones included) offer emergency contraception to rape victims. Abortion and contraception are clearly against Church teaching and are damaging to our society as a whole, so why does he have a problem with these pro-lifers? Also, it is important to remember that emergency contraception is an abortifacient since it prevents the implantation of a fertilized ovum. Is it right for Catholic hospitals to be forced to participate in these chemical abortions? I don’t think so and I don’t think the Pope would think so either.

As far as the issue of the Catholic Charities benefit dinner, It is unfortunate that Catholics have split into 2 groups: 1) Those who value truth over love and 2) Those who value love over truth. Christ certainly did not mean for it to be this way. Catholics should be committed to both love and truth and to the poor and needy as well as to the unborn. Still, I personally would have a hard time honoring someone for his humanitarian work with the poor at the same time he was advocating “free-choice” for women. Once you realize that abortion is the killing of an innocent human life and that it has devastating effects on the individual women who choose it and on society in as a whole, it is hard to stomach the “free-choice” and “it’s my body” cliches. But that is me. You may feel differently.

I know this has strayed from the original subject of his book “Catholicism,” which I have never read and never will read since I doubt his fidelity to Church teaching . I don’t think you can compartmentalize him into sections–McBrien the theologian and McBrien the social commentator. He might be a brilliant theologian, but is he faithful to the Magisterium or to the modern culture? Catholics must recognize the authority that Christ gave to His Church to teach faith and morals. That applies to theologians as well as everyone else.

 

[cialovesyou]

Good grief, get the darn book.
Catholicism outlines on various subjects the traditional view of the Church, the Magesterial documents relevent, and modern thought on the matter. Some of this modern thought is going to be “flying kites”. The point is, if you get the book, you will have a reference to go chase up theologians who you need when you are quoting things in your essay.
Catholicism is a very important work, and will be found in every Catholic library in the world.

 

[Janet_S]

Good grief, get the darn book.
Catholicism outlines on various subjects the traditional view of the Church, the Magesterial documents relevent, and modern thought on the matter. Some of this modern thought is going to be “flying kites”. The point is, if you get the book, you will have a reference to go chase up theologians who you need when you are quoting things in your essay.
Catholicism is a very important work, and will be found in every Catholic library in the world.

I have seen McBrien’s book Catholicism, in the used book store where I get most my books. If I see it there again and can pick it up for $7 or $8, I will buy it.

Thanks for the advice. I don’t want to be too stubborn about never reading this or using it for a reference.

 

[otjm]

It might do well to remember that one should keep an open mind, but not one that is so open that one’s brains fall out…

 

[Huiou_Theou]

McBrien questions the tactics of an Internet pressure group who picketed a Catholic Charity award for Boston’s liberal Catholic mayor. His main point seems to be are humanitarian and altrustic works by liberal (pro-choice) Catholic politicians and laymen necessarily to go unrecognised by the Church?

funny how his main point seems to be swallowed by inflammatory name calling ( milatent? ), etc.
He does not argue well the main point – hence there is not
much enticement to read the book.

Also: Scripturally, Jesus himself did not acknowledge every
“good” deed done. The demons were forbidden to spread the
truth – not because it was true, but because the intent of
the demons was to claim it for themselves.
(It may be Academic, but I have made no accusations here.)

McBrien’s remit is to present, discuss and debate the pluralistic trends of contemporary Catholic study. His book is theological; it is not meant to be a catechism nor does it really purport to be his own views. McBrien writes about Teilhard de Chardin, Liberation theology, Karl Rahner, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Raymond Brown, et al presenting their contributions with impartiality.

There is no such thing as impartiality – except to quote the contents of the other authors in their entirety. Anything else
is an editorial of some kind masquerading as impartial.
(What do frosty and St. Nicholas have in common –
fiction and reality? they are “impartially” put together too.
Or perhaps innocently… faithlessly … whatever. )

Theology in the academy is meant to be done this way.

Why? elucidate.

Catholicism is meant to be reflective of the Catholic academic world, not necessarily of the official Magesterium and certainly not the world of popular apologetics and our polemics against born-again Christians…

But you haven’t gone far enough in saying what the book
actually is. I would think that magesterial teachings, and
commentaries are sufficient for Catholic scholarship.
I am not accusing OBrien of anything, but I haven’t seen
any reason to accept his thoughts as much value except
in the venue of a hostile non-magesterial-academic setting.

What is “good” about O’brien’s work – eg. answering to the OP? (I have no opinion yet.)