Who Is Jesus? What Theologians Are Saying About Christ
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Sept. 17,America 2007 THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC WEEKLY $2.75 Who Is Jesus? What theologians are saying about Christ Alejandro Garcia-Rivera Kevin Burke Robert P. Imbelli John R. Donahue William Thompson- Uberuaga Robert Krieg OR THE BETTER PART of two weeks Working Among Jews and Muslims. last month, I found myself In New York, we were joined by both America engaged in ecumenical and inter- Jewish interlocutors and Catholic lay col- Published by Jesuits of the United States religious dialogue. At the leagues. Jewish contributors like Rabbi Editor in Chief FUniversity of Notre Dame, I participated Harold Hirsch from Regis University in in the fourth annual Mennonite-Catholic Denver and Professor Harold Kasimow Drew Christiansen, S.J. Theological Colloquium, where theolo- from Grinnell University in Iowa showed Acting Publisher gians from both communities evaluated enormous appreciation for the teaching Called Together to Be Peacemakers, the 2004 and initiatives of Pope John Paul II. One James Martin, S.J. report of the International Catholic- could sense as they spoke just how much Managing Editor Mennonite Dialogue. Theologians on John Paul’s commitment to Catholic- both sides explored how to build new Jewish relations had achieved. During a Robert C. Collins, S.J. bridges. Some pressed those responsible tour of Jewish New York, the hazan or Business Manager for the dialogue to move still further, cantor at the Portuguese Synagogue on Lisa Pope while others reminded everyone that some Central Park West, the oldest in the differences will not be easily overcome. United States, educated us not only on Editorial Director There was considerable disappoint- early American Jewish history but on the Karen Sue Smith ment on the Mennonite side that various liturgical styles of western Catholics have done relatively little to Sephardism, singing for us the very dif- Online Editor make Called Together better known. (An ferent melodies used in Amsterdam, Maurice Timothy Reidy abridged version with discussion questions Hamburg and Venice, the other cities is available for parish and congregational where the Portuguese Jewish diaspora Associate Editors use from Pandora Press, Waterloo, Ont.) had taken refuge. Joseph A. O’Hare, S.J. Peace activists on both sides pressed hard Among the formal papers were studies against the just war theory and the failure of anti-Semitism in the Spanish conquista George M. Anderson, S.J. of the U.S. bish- of the Dennis M. Linehan, S.J. ops to condemn Americas James P. McDermott, S.J. the war in Iraq and of the Matt Malone, S.J. once it had Of Many Things exclusion of begun. conversos James T. Keane, S.J. Gerald Schlabach, a professor at St. (Jewish converts and their descendants) Literary Editor Thomas Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., from the Jesuit order beginning in the who recently became a Catholic, embod- late 16th century. James Bernauer, S.J., of Patricia A. Kossmann ied this ecumenical spirit in making a Boston College reported on Jesuits Poetry Editor strong case for a cause he has been pro- named among “the righteous” by Yad moting for a few years: a Mennonite Vashem, the Israeli Holocaust Memorial, James S. Torrens, S.J. order in the Catholic Church. One can for saving Jews from extermination. Assistant Editor think of precedents. The Anglican Usage, In Washington we explored Ignatian for example, is the celebration of much of themes informing our interreligious Francis W. Turnbull, S.J. the Anglican liturgy by former Anglican involvements. These included the early parishes that have accepted communion Jesuits’ desire to live and work among Design and Production with Rome. Muslims (whom they called infidels) and Stephanie Ratcliffe The limits of formal, high-level dia- the praesupponendum of the Spiritual logue and the consequent need for mid- Exercises, a disposition on entering into Advertising level gatherings, like the colloquium, and dialogue to give a generous interpretation Julia Sosa grass-roots ecumenism like Bridgefolk, a to the statements of others—in other North American Catholic-Mennonite words, not to presume a negative or hos- 106 West 56th Street encounter, were also evident as I listened tile meaning in their words. New York, NY 10019-3803 to presentations and audience discussion. It is sobering to remember that Jesuit Ph: 212-581-4640; Fax: 212-399-3596. For some participants displayed a perfec- dialogue with Muslims began with a E-mail: [email protected]; tionism that wished for more than an mule. As a new convert, St. Ignatius [email protected]. institutional dialogue can reasonably Loyola encountered a Muslim who he Web site: www.americamagazine.org. deliver on short order after 500 years of believed had insulted the Virgin Mary. Customer Service: 1-800-627-9533. estrangement. Angered, Iñigo wanted to follow and © 2007 America Press, Inc. Before and after my days at Notre throttle the Moor. Hesitating at the Dame, I met with Jesuits from around prospect of committing violence, he left the world who are engaged in interfaith the problem for his mule to decide. It Cover art “Christ the Teacher,” by dialogue. First, at Fordham University in took a trail that led away from the alleged Michael O’Neill McGrath, O.S.F.S., New York, we gathered as Jesuits in blasphemer, averted a fight and so inau- from At the Name of Jesus: The Way the Dialogue With Jews; then at Georgetown gurated a line of faith-filled openness to Truth, the Light (World Library University in Washington as Jesuits others. Drew Christiansen, S.J. Publications, www.wlpmusic.com). www.americamagazine.org Vol. 197 No. 7, Whole No. 4785 September 17, 2007 Articles What Are Theologians Saying 11 About Christology? Alejandro Garcia-Rivera, Kevin Burke, Robert P. Imbelli, John R. Donahue, William Thompson-Uberuaga, Robert A. Krieg Scholars report what theologians are saying about the church’s confession of Jesus as Christ and Son of God. Commentaries 21 John J. Strynkowski, Gerald O’Collins 11 Current Comment 4 25 Editorial The President’s Man 5 Signs of the Times 6 Life in the 00s 8 Paying Down the Debt Terry Golway Faith in Focus The Peculiar Grace of Failure Valerie Schultz 25 Horace McKenna, Apostle of the Poor 28 Kevin J. O’Brien Poem Chewing Anne Fleming 30 Book Reviews 31 FDR; Earlier Poems; There Before Us Letters 37 The Word 39 Money and Spirituality Daniel J. Harrington This week @ James Martin, S.J., talks about his new book, A Jesuit Off-Broadway. James T. Fisher and Edward Murphy, S.J., discuss the new documentary, "The Camden 28." America Connects Plus archive articles, interviews and podcasts at www.americamagazine.org. Current Comment Edwards, who owns a 28-acre compound in Dawson It’s a Dog’s Life Springs, Ky. The compound serves both as the group’s Cruelty toward pets, all agree, is the kind of behavior law- headquarters and as the site of the annual Nordic Fest, a abiding citizens should not tolerate. Understandably, then, white supremacist music festival held on Memorial Day recent revelations that N.F.L. quarterback Michael Vick weekend. It brings together not only Klan members but oversaw a dog-fighting operation that tortured and killed also racist skinheads and members of other violent hate dogs have prompted widespread public condemnation, as groups. well as satisfaction that Vick could face up to five years in Commenting on the larger picture of racism in the prison. But does one detect a certain excess of zeal in some United States, the center points to a 40 percent rise in of the reactions? “While we are pleased to hear that the hate groups in the last seven years, contending that the Vick case is being settled through the criminal justice sys- increase has been driven by “anti-immigrant furor aimed tem,” said a representative of the American Kennel Club, largely at Latinos” (Lou Dobbs, take note). Because of liti- “we remain concerned that the punishment will be inade- gation against supremacist organizations over the past quate considering the heinous nature of the crimes.” decades, S.P.L.C. officials have received death threats—a In many jurisdictions in the United States, a five-year sign of just how successful the litigation has been. sentence exceeds the maximum allowed for spousal abuse or assault. Countless athletes over the past decade have been found guilty of one or both and walked away with far lighter sentences. No one will shed too many tears for Going Soft Michael Vick after discovery of his awful crimes, but does A recent profile of the publisher and editor Mort the sudden frenzy of calls for draconian retribution send a Zuckerman in The New Yorker included the surprising disturbing message to human victims of physical violence? news that despite an impressive run in the 1990s, which That our pets are more important than our people? saw his print periodical, U.S. News & World Report, Don’t think so? Note that the late Leona Helmsley left almost catch Time and Newsweek in terms of circulation two of her grandchildren $10 million apiece, leaving two and prestige, the magazine recently gutted its investigative others nothing at all, “for reasons which are known to staff in favor of soft news “amid a retrenchment severe them,” as she stated in her will. There was room, however, even by the dismal standards of the category.” for another gift: she left $12 million to her pet dog, It’s depressing news for Mr. Zuckerman, but he has Trouble. company: most of the mainstream print organs in the United States have seen their relevance diminish rapidly in recent years, and journals of opinion everywhere struggle with declining (and graying) readerships.