What are some good theology books?

[Shaolen]

I’m interested in getting some books on theology. Any recommendations?

For Thomas Aquinas is it good to get summa theologica or does he have other writings that should be read first? Also I was interested in Insight by Bernard Lonergan. Has anyone read this?

 

[e_c]

A good hard copy of the Summa will run you a few hundred dollars. Plus it is not a beginner’s text (despite it’s original purpose and use). It’s also available online for free…

Try one of the condensed versions of the Summa first, maybe Kreeft’s “Summa of the Summa.” There are others though (I have McDermott’s, it’s alright but probably a bit more technical than Kreeft’s). There’s a third one that’s popular, I can’t remember the name. Check out reviews.

I don’t have too much experience with Lonergan, but he’s pretty solid from what I know. “Insight” is his major work I think. He’s more of a philosopher than a theologian though, if I remember correctly.

Other than the Fathers (which are mostly available through newadvent.org), a few good starter texts might be Benedict XVI’s “Jesus of Nazareth” series, some of the better known works by Scott Hahn, and maybe also Pinckaers’ “Sources of Christian Ethics.” That will get you started.

Beyond that it depends on what interests you…

Helpful?

 

[Lily_Bernans]

I’m interested in getting some books on theology. Any recommendations?

For Thomas Aquinas is it good to get summa theologica or does he have other writings that should be read first? Also I was interested in Insight by Bernard Lonergan. Has anyone read this?

If you don’t want to buy the entire Summa, you can get a book called “The Summa of the Summa” by Peter Kreeft. Available on Amazon.com.

I have read all of Bernard Lonergan’s available writings, and many of them are available on Amazon.com. “Insight” is a wonderful book of essays, more than 800 pages, so you get your money’s worth.

If you are interested in Christology, “The College Student’s Handbook of Christology” is good. Also on Amazon. “An Introduction to New Testament Christology” by Raymond Brown is also very good.

Given the season, I’m rereading “Mysterium Paschale” by Hans Urs von Balthasar and “The Death of the Messiah” by Raymond Brown, which has many scriptural references. Brown was “the” pre-eminent scripture expert.

There are so many, I don’t know what to recommend. It depends on your area of interest and your level. Also, besides Aquinas and Lonergan are there any theologians you admire and want to read?

 

[Micosil]

Frank Sheed is another name that comes to mind.

He has two books out there on theology. One is Theology for Beginners, aimed at a beginning lay audience, and Theology and Sanity for a lay audience that wants a little more. If you read Theology and Sanity, you don’t need to get Theology for Beginners.

 

[Shaolen]

Oh thank you all! This is very helpful. If anyone has any other books to add please do

 

[Lily_Bernans]

“Christology: A Biblical, Historical, and Systematic Study of Jesus” by Gerald O’Collins

“The Challenge of Jesus” by N.T. Wright (He’s Anglican, but so close to Catholicism, he might as well be Catholic)

“The Name of God is Mercy” by Pope Francis

“New Seeds of Contemplation” by Thomas Merton

“Treatise on the Love of God” by St. Francis de Sales

“Intimacy with God” by Thomas Keating

“Engagement with God: The Drama of Christian Discipleship” by Hans Urs von Balthasar

“Jesus of Nazareth” by Pope Benedict XVI

 

[StJoseph8]

I, too, recommend Frank Sheed’s Theology for Beginners. It is a good starting point.

 

[ComplineSanFran]

“The Challenge of Jesus” by N.T. Wright (He’s Anglican, but so close to Catholicism, he might as well be Catholic)

I think that Bishop Wright is always worth reading, but do you really think he is close to Catholicism? In Anglican circles, he is on the other side of the spectrum - evangelical.