Theological Reflection - Book Recommendations

[piejesu]

For an upcoming seminar I have been given (actually I had to buy it) a book entitled:

Theological Reflection - Connecting Faith and Life

curtesy of Loyola Press.

The book, is liberal, progressive, and alarmingly in nature, with a great emphasis on evaluating all things Catholic, small and capital “T” alike, in the light of experience and culture, with no special consideration given to doctrine, dogma, or the sacred trinity of all true and authentic Catholic thought, that is: Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the teaching authority of the Majesterium.

My question is: What are some more traditional Catholic books on this subject?

 

[GloriousOrder]

Just read St. Thomas’ Summa Theologiae. In it, that great saint summed up the most perfect mode of understanding the world logically and objectively. All self-existing truth can be discerned from the system of Aquinas, and he is useful against Modernists (such as this book sounds to be). There are such eloquent questions, reasons, contrary answers, and dialogue between truth and falsity contained therein that no one can maintain relativism after having read St. Thomas.

Sorry it isn’t exactly a “book” in the traditional sense.

 

[stuart12]

I would second the recommendation of Saint Thomas’ Summa Theologica. Also, reading some Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange, heavily influenced by the Angelic Doctor, may be another good place to begin.

 

[Edward_H]

The faith explained by Leo Trese, Scepter Publishers is quite good.

 

[Joannm]

Are you looking for a book on how to do theological reflection or one of theological reflections?

 

[piejesu]

Are you looking for a book on how to do theological reflection or one of theological reflections?

Ahhh…sorry to be so slow, busy time of the year, but yes, looking for a book more along the lines of “how to” in an authentically Catholic way, as opposed to what is offered in the course book which proposes a mutually Inclusive examination of Tradition, culture, and experience, each in the light of the other two, with no hierarchical structure, all on equal footing.

 

[jantoniello]

Peace.

piejesu, this may sound rude, but can you explain a bit better what you are looking for? I mean, if you are looking for a “how-to” of theological reflections, then just about any writing of any saint is at your fingertips, especially those of the Doctors of the Church.

If you want writings of the saints from a reflective/homiletic standpoint, then I would probably go straight to either St. Francis de Sales or St. Alphonsus.

But if you are looking more for a manual of how to theologically develop a reflection, then I could honestly not begin to tell you where to look. Here are some pointers that I hope help.

-Begin with Scripture along with a good commentary (The New Jerome Commentary is great, as are the Navarre and Ignatius Commentaries)
-Get a Catechism. The United States and Baltimore Catechisms are great, as is the Roman Catechism.
-Books by good theologians. They work as excellent guides, and will help in the long run in how to form your own thought.

Pope Benedict, as cardinal, wrote a great book called “Principles of Catholic Theology,” which really helps form the thought of the budding and growing theologian. The same goes for “Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma” by Dr. Ludwig Ott.

Maybe these help; if not, I hope they may have helped guide you toward what you want. Above all, remember that theological reflection really comes from within, and it is by the Holy Spirit that you can put your words to the page. Open your heart to the Church and allow the same Spirit that guides the Church guide you.

Pax et Bonum,
Joseph