The craft of theology

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Anthony J. Wilhelm

If Christ Among Us is an example of a new trend in explaining one's religious beliefs without denigrating those of others, we are better off than before--but not much better. The spirit of the book is obvious from the opening chapter's assertion that ""the story of Christ among us is a study of the Catholic faith."" The implication, of course, is that the story of Christ among us is not readily discernible in the non-Catholic churches, and in that respect Father Wilhelm has not broken with his preconciliar precursors. He has, however, dispensed with the vitriol that hitherto has been as necessary a part of apologetics as the various proofs of the existence of God. For the rest, the book follows the conventional lines of books written to explain, defend, and propagate the Catholic faith: the existence and knowability of God, the divinity of Christ, the foundation and authentic mission of the Catholic Church, etc. A rather unusual feature is that the author is at pains to emphasize what is common dogma in all Christian churches, and he does often present, somewhat summarily, the Protestant viewpoint on matters of difference. However, an overall impression of the author's inflexibility that expresses itself in the we-are-absolutely-right-and-they-are-absolutely-wrong syndrome, despite his good will and intentions, detracts from the purposes of his book. The older Catholics generally won't mind; the younger will.

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Paul Sullins and Anthony Blasi

"Catholic Social Thought presents detailed commentary and response to the Vatican's 2005 Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, with contributions from outstanding American scholars. Addressing theology, social theory, the family, economy, government, labor, global society, gender, peace, and the environment, the various authors explore the core theology, explain the Compendium's themes and arguments, and apply their own intellectual powers to applications of its teachings. Some of the chapters are largely expository, some more critical. Some operate from a standard of magisterial assent in conformity with Ad Tuendam Fidem, others do not. Together the chapters represent the range of Catholic thinking on social issues in the American church today." --Book Jacket.

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Carol Ann Drogus

What happens when liberation theology's attempt to mobilize the Brazilian poor for political and social change meets the realities of church, community, and culture in this predominantly Catholic country? In Women, Religion, and Social Change in Brazil's Popular Church, Carol Ann Drogus assesses the successes and failures of the movement as she documents how religious personality and gender affect the way the urban poor on the eastern outskirts of Sao Paulo respond to the liberationist message. All who are interested in Latin American studies, political science, sociology, anthropology, religion, and women's studies will gain much from Drogus's first-hand reports and careful analysis of the role of women, who are the majority participants in the Popular Church.

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R. A. Herrera

"Reasons for Our Rhymes provides a chronological overview of the major philosophical approaches to human history. R. A. Herrera clearly presents the ideas and influence of key figures from the past two thousand years - from St. Augustine and Joachim to Bossuet and Vico, from Hegel and Marx to Soloviev and Berdyaev - showing how each of these thinkers initiated a new paradigm for our understanding of the meaning of history."--BOOK JACKET.