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Theological Foundations Alternate Edition Theological Foundations Alternate Edition REVISED AND EXPANDED J. J. Mueller, SJ, editor Created by the publishing team of Anselm Academic. Cover image of Jesus and five apostles by © Fotowan / shutterstock.com Copyright © 2007, 2011 by Anselm Academic, Christian Brothers Publications, 702 Terrace Heights, Winona, MN 55987-1320, www.anselmacademic.org. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America 7036 ISBN 978-1-59982-134-4 ABOUT THE AUTHORS J. J. Mueller, SJ Maximilian Universität in Munich, Germany. Fr. Mueller holds a PhD in historical and sys- His interests are the study of St. Francis of tematic theology from the Graduate Theological Assisi, the Franciscan spiritual tradition, and the Union at Berkeley. His interests are Christology application of theology to social justice. and social responsibility. Ronald Modras Bernhard A. Asen Dr. Modras holds a doctorate in theology from Dr. Asen holds a PhD in biblical languages and the University of Tubingen in Germany. His literature from Saint Louis University. His par- interests include interreligious dialogue and ticular interests are the prophets and the Psalms. Jewish-Christian relations. James A. Kelhoffer John Renard Dr. Kelhoffer holds a PhD in New Testament Dr. Renard holds a PhD in Islamic studies from and early Christian literature from the Uni- the Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations versity of Chicago. His interests are the New Department of Harvard University. Since 1978, Testament and the early church. he has been teaching courses in Islam and other major non-Christian traditions as well as Brian D. Robinette comparative theology at Saint Louis University. Dr. Robinette holds a PhD in theology from the University of Notre Dame. His primary interests Angelyn Dries, OSF are Christology and theological anthropology. Dr. Dries holds a PhD in historical theology Daniel Finucane from the Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley. Dr. Dries is the Danforth Chair of Dr. Finucane holds a PhD in historical theol- Theology at Saint Louis University. Her areas ogy from Saint Louis University. His interests of interest include world Christianity and the include ecclesiology and foundational theology. modern missionary movement. Jay M. Hammond Michael McClymond Dr. Hammond holds a PhD in historical theol- Dr. McClymond holds a M.Div. from Yale ogy from Saint Louis University. His interests University Divinity School and a PhD in include medieval Christianity, Franciscan theology from the University of Chicago. He thought, and sacramental theology. has done field research on Pentecostalism in Barbara W. Blackburn Brazil and Mozambique, and is co-chair of the Dr. Blackburn holds a PhD in historical theol- Evangelical Theology Group in the American ogy from Saint Louis University. Her interests Academy of Religion. are moral theology and the theology of death and suffering. J. A. Wayne Hellmann, OFM Conv Dr. Hellmann holds his doctoral degree in historical and systematic theology from Ludwig- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thank you to the following people who advised the publishing team through discussion, class testing of the manuscript, student focus groups, or review of this work in progress: Anthony Amodeo Harriet A. Luckman Reference and Instruction Librarian, Loyola College of Mount Saint Joseph, Ohio Marymount University, California Michael McClymond Jason Bourgeois Saint Louis University, Missouri Quincy University, Illinois Ruben Rosario-Rodriguez Ulrike R. M. Guthrie Saint Louis University, Missouri MA, independent scholar, Maine Daniel Scholz Alan D. Krieger Cardinal Stritch University, Wisconsin Theology Librarian, University of Notre Paul Wadell Dame, Indiana Saint Norbert College, Wisconsin Mari Heidt Maureen Walsh, graduate student, Marquette University, Wisconsin Georgetown University, Washington, DC CONTENTS Preface: From the Editor 1 From the Editor 39 Purpose of This Book 1 The Hebrew Bible, Called by Christians Audience 1 the “Old Testament” 40 Organization of the Book and Revisions 2 Tanak Division 1—Torah: Words Arrangement of Each Chapter 2 of Instruction 42 Tanak Division 2—Nebiim: Words of Judgment Introduction: Religion, Spirituality, and Salvation 49 and the Question of God 5 Tanak Division 3—Ketubim: Words What Is Religion? 6 of Wisdom 51 What Is Spirituality For? 6 Tradition 10 3. The New Testament and Other Early How Big Is (My) Religion? 11 Christian Literature 57 A Trip to Tuscany 14 From the Editor 57 This Book Has a Worldview 14 Overview: The Early Christians and Their Writings 58 1. Discerning the Mystery of God 19 Early Christian Gospels 60 From the Editor 19 Keep in Touch: Early Christian Letters 67 Wonderment and Perplexity: Ways to God, Summary 74 Ways to Theology 20 Discerning the Mystery : The God of Israel 24 What’s in a Name? The Transcendence and Part II Nearness of YHWH 25 Creation and the One God: From Narrative CHRISTOLOGY AND ECCLESIOLOGY: to Confession 26 FOLLOWING CHRIST IN A COMMUNITY OF 77 Living the Triune Mystery: The God THE HOLY SPIRIT of Christian Faith 28 4. Christology—“Who Do You Say Participation in Divine Life: Scriptural Witness That I Am?” 79 and Creedal Formulation 29 Conclusion: Trinitarian Theology Today 32 From the Editor 79 The Question 80 The Story Begins: Jesus of Nazareth Part I and the Kingdom of God 81 The Story Continues: The Christology THE SACRED SCRIPTURES AND of the New Testament Church 91 CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY 37 Faithfully Interpreting the Story: The Christological Councils 94 2. The Old Testament 39 Conclusion: The Never-ending Question 98 5. The People of God: The Church 101 Decisions, Decisions, Decisions 178 From the Editor 101 What Resources Are Available? 190 An Image 102 Recognizing Moral Issues 192 After That First Day 105 9. Social Justice: Gospel Witness and Mission A Historical Resource 105 of the Church 199 Is Competition Good for the Church? 111 From the Editor 199 Studying Tradition 114 Overview 200 Conclusion: Leaving a Lot Out 117 Gospel Witness 201 6. Protestantism, Evangelicalism, Conclusion: Social Justice and Christian Spirituality? 215 Pentecostalism: Changing Contours of Christianity in the Modern Era 121 From the Editor 121 Part IV Introduction 122 Protestantism 123 THE ABRAHAMIC FAITHS: CATHOLICISM Evangelicalism 130 AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH JUDAISM, Pentecostalism 137 ISLAM 221 From Unity to Diversity, and Back Again: A Final Hypothesis 143 10. Judaism, the Jewish People, and the Church 223 7. Grace and Sacraments: The Mystery of the From the Editor 223 Divine-Human Encounter 149 Overview 224 From the Editor 149 First-Century Judaism 224 Overview 150 Jewish Christianity 226 Signs and Symbols: Creating Meaning Rabbinical Judaism 227 in Human Communication 150 Traditional Jewish Faith and Practice 230 Describing and Defining the Sacraments 152 Modern Judaism 234 The Two Basic Sacraments of Christ Christian-Jewish Relations 236 and Church 156 The Holocaust and Vatican II on Jews The Seven Sacraments 160 and Judaism 238 Conclusion: Christians as Living Sacraments 171 11. Islamic Religious Experience: Foundations, Scripture, and Spirituality 243 Part III From the Editor 243 Overview 244 THE CHURCH’S MISSION IN THE Islamic Images of God 245 175 WORLD The Qur’an and the History of Revelation 250 8. Muhammad and the History Christian Morality: Choosing God of Prophethood 256 in This World 177 Distinctive Scriptural Themes From the Editor 177 in Islamic Spirituality 260 Part V Overview 270 Meaning of Terms: World Christianity, CATHOLIC THEOLOGY IN A GLOBAL World Church 270 CONTEXT 267 Theological Aspects of a World Church 272 Some Commonalities in Theologies 12. Catholic Theology in a Global Context: from around the Globe 279 A World Church 269 From the Editor 269 Index 283 PREFACE from the EDITOR J. J. Mueller, SJ PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK Christian theology teaches, to put it bluntly: God is love. This book is about how to successfully study theol- ogy. Nothing is foreign to the domain of theology and, because theology pursues the deepest ques- tions of being authentically human in God, why AUDIENCE should there be any limit? Absolutely everything This book is intended primarily for college stu- is grist for the theological mill. As an academic dents; however, it is also for people of the Catho- discipline, theology is not insular, exclusive, or a lic faith and other Christian denominations in foreigner in the academy; it is in conversation with general; for people of other religious traditions; the best results, discoveries, and methods of every and for people of no particular tradition but who academic discipline’s pursuit of truth. Theology are seekers. All are welcome to sit at the theo- takes up the most important questions for every logical table. human being: who we are and who we want to This book provides a solid foundation for be, the meaning and purpose of life, good and evil, this theological discussion. The text is designed death, suffering, love, family, humanity, society, both for people with little or no background our human differences, the role of governments in theology and those with quite a bit of back- and authorities, poverty and wealth, the marginal- ground but who seek a solid explanation of the ized and the vulnerable. Theology takes up cosmic subdisciplines involved. Theological Foundations questions as well: Why am I here? What is worth is designed as a “first book,” to be read all at once living for? Why is there a blue planet spinning in or by individual chapters, selected to introduce this galaxy among billions of other galaxies? What theological material pertinent to a particular is it all about? course. In reading each chapter, students will Theology above all addresses what it is to receive an overview of the subdisciplines of live in God’s mystery, and that even though one theology. They will come to understand terms, cannot adequately answer all these questions concepts, vocabulary, and the development of there is purpose to being in this universe.
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