Theology

This book presents the chief insights concerning the mystery of atonement in the works of four theological guides: John Paul II, Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Norbert Hoffmann.

The author argues for the central importance and perennial value of a theology of atonement, even as she explains the modern aversion to it. The book's central aim is to deepen our understanding of the biblical claim that God shows himself to be love precisely by sending his Son as atonement. "In this is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins" (1 Jn 4:10).

The book develops a compelling vision of atonement as a process that originates from and is engendered by God's own power to love. This vision not only takes account of the gravity of sin and its consequences, but also provides a clear illumination of the wholly gratuitous, radically forgiving, passionate and powerful nature of God's redeeming love for mankind. Distinct from the majority of theological accounts of atonement, which focus almost exclusively on the role of Christ, this book highlights the role of God the Father in the atoning mission of the Son.

There are typically two sides to the beer coaster:

"Alcohol is the anesthesia by which we endure the operation of life." -- George Bernard Shaw

"Here's to alcohol, the rose colored glasses of life." -- F. Scott Fitzgerald

Drink to feel nothing, or drink to feel something. Both are widely practiced. But both fall flat.

As a Catholic, you want to live a full life, with intention and purpose. You think beer, wine, and liquor can be part of that, but you don't have an authentic way to approach alcoholic beverages, so you abstain or indulge. Either way, you come up empty. The fact is, most of us haven't been taught how to drink well.

In Barstool Theology, Trevor Gundlach cracks open an entirely new way to talk about beer and exactly how it can be an effervescent part of a life well lived. He invites you to become a fellow barstool theologian, ready to discuss the theology of life, friendship, art, seasons, celebrations, and, yes, delicious craft beer.

Barstool Theology does not lay down rules to follow but offers practical ideas to try. It is full of reflection, humor, analogies, ancient philosophy, and Instagram-worthy stories that open a new dialogue about drinking that is fresh, flavorful, and fun.

So, pull up a barstool. Let's have a drink and talk.

This book gathers fourteen Catholic scholars to present, examine, and explain the often misunderstood process of deification. The fifteen chapters show what becoming God meant for the early Church, for St. Thomas Aquinas and the greatest Dominicans, and for St. Francis and the early Franciscans. This book explains how this understanding of salvation played out during the Protestant Reformation and the Council of Trent. It explores the thought of the French School of Spirituality, various Thomists, John Henry Newman, John Paul II, and the Vatican Councils, and it shows where such thinking can be found today in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. No other book has gathered such an array of scholars or provided such a deep study into how humanity's divinized life in Christ has received many rich and various perspectives over the past two thousand years. This book seeks to bring readers into the central mystery of Christianity by allowing the Church's greatest thinkers and texts to speak for themselves, demonstrating how becoming Christ-like and the Body of Christ on earth, is the only ultimate purpose of the Christian faith.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Society is lost and confused about God, morality, and eternity. Catholics face persecution, from outside and inside the Church, for living their Faith. Priests speak out against errors and corruption in their own hierarchy, only to be marginalized and punished by their superiors. The few bishops who remain faithful to the changeless teaching of Christ are rebuked and "canceled," even by the pope himself, and sent into exile. Catholics longing for reverent worship are forced out of their parishes and into makeshift venues.

This is a description of the Catholic Church in the fourth century.

With similar patterns recurring in our time, one Catholic bishop is calling out to souls:

"Know the errors and embrace the truth!"

In Flee from Heresy, Bishop Athanasius Schneider -- raised among persecuted Catholics in the Soviet Union -- offers a systematic treatment of more than 130 doctrinal errors, from ancient times down to our own day, along with English translations of the Church's major anti-heresy documents of the past two centuries.

In this fascinating exposé, you will discover the ideological roots of our own unsteady times and be better equipped to "test all things; hold fast what is good" (1 Thess. 5:21). You will learn:

Combining theological precision, superb historical insight, and concrete principles for action today, Flee from Heresy is a timely and trustworthy guide to errors old and new.

First published in 1921, Fr. Prummer's Handbook of Moral Theology was immediately regarded as an international classic. The author's clarity of vision, precision of expression, and humble fidelity to the traditional Catholic moral framework during a period of social upheaval and increasing doctrinal deviation made his manual the standard reference text for generations of clergy, seminarians, and laity. For those seeking answers to moral questions, the Catholic advice was often "Look it up in Prummer!"

At long last, this centenary edition restores the superb English translation of 1956 in a fresh new typesetting, making Fr. Prummer's original text much easier to navigate and more pleasant to read. The many citation errors that plagued earlier editions have been painstakingly corrected, and scores of additional citations have been added from Aquinas's Summa Theologiae, Denzinger's Enchiridion, and the Roman Catechism - three of the author's favorite sources. The topical index has likewise been expanded and now includes technical moral terms of more recent use (such as "double effect") to allow for more rapid contemporary reference.

After a brilliant introduction to the science of moral theology, part 1 explores the end of man and all aspects of human conduct, and part 2 examines the sacraments and sacramentals and their core importance to the Catholic moral life. These packed pages contain the traditional Catholic moral teachings on:

In our own time of widespread confusion and decay, Fr. Prümmer's Handbook is the definitive and complete Catholic source book of the Church's moral doctrine as it was received and taught before the laxity and innovations of the last century. Far more than a work of mere historical interest, this surprisingly relevant guide to Christian moral perfection is a treasure that will endure as long as there are souls seeking eternal life.

The Hidden Manna has become a classic on Eucharistic teaching. Now in a second edition, accompanied by a new introduction by Fr. Kenneth Baker, a new preface from the author, new material from John Paul II, and the original foreword by Cardinal John O'Connor, this in-depth study lets the breadth and richness of the Church's Tradition speak for itself.

Fr. O'Connor presents and comments on substantial excerpts from the major sources of the Church's Tradition extending all the way back to apostolic times. Focusing on the doctrine of the Real Presence, he follows the earliest witnesses through the challenge in the Middle Ages of Berengarius through the Protestant Reformation and modern disputes.

"Father James O'Connor gives us nothing less than a comprehensive study of the Church's meditation on the Mystery of the Eucharist... The Hidden Manna is a superb work."
�Cardinal John O'Connor

Since the beginning of the quest for the historical Jesus, scholars have dismissed the idea that Jesus could have identified himself as God. Such high Christology is frequently depicted as an invention of the councils of Nicaea and Chalcedon, centuries later. Yet recent research has shown that the earliest Jewish followers of Jesus already regarded him as divine.

Brant Pitre tackles this paradox in his bold new monograph. Pitre challenges this widespread assumption and makes a robust case that Jesus did consider himself divine. Carefully explicating the Gospels in the context of Second Temple Judaism, Pitre shows how Jesus used riddles, questions, and scriptural allusions to reveal the apocalyptic secret of his divinity. Moreover, Pitre explains how Jesus acts as if he is divine in both the Synoptics and the Gospel of John. Carefully weighing the historical evidence, Pitre argues that the origins of early high Christology can be traced to the historical Jesus's words and actions.

Jesus and Divine Christology sheds light on long-neglected yet key evidence that the historical Jesus saw himself as divine. Scholars and students of the New Testament--and anyone curious about the Jewish context of early Christianity--will find Pitre's argument a necessary and provocative corrective to a critically underexamined topic.

Here is the book that will help you discover how to be "fully alive." Esteemed theologian, Fr. Thomas Mullady, OP shares a fresh perspective on why you are called to union with God. He provides accessible and relevant answers on commonly asked post-Vatican II questions in Catholic theology, including Thomistic problems which have pervaded Catholic theology, both past and present.

Fr. Mullady offers solutions to debates and a springboard to launch an analysis of contemporary issues such as:

Masterfully, Fr. Mullady examines each topic from the perspective of faith and reason, and provides a new understanding of both the positive and negative contributions of the Catholic theologians of the last fifty years, including Karl Rahner, Henri de Lubac, Rene Decartes, Immanuel Kant, and Martin Heidegger. Through his wisdom you will clearly understand the interrelationship between the body and soul, and how this crucial unity affects our moral actions.

By seeking to follow the truth with openness of heart, your soul will begin to experience happiness on earth and attain the fullness of joy in Our Father's house in Heaven.

Some Christians claim to reject Tradition in preference to a supposedly "Bible only" Christianity. Catholics, on the other hand, venerate Tradition, yet often without adequately understanding it. In this masterful book, the great theologian Yves Congar explains why Tradition is an inescapable aspect of a fully biblical Christian faith. He explores the various forms of Tradition and discusses the relationship between Scripture and Tradition, as well as the role of the Magisterium of the Church. The Meaning of Tradition clears up misconceptions held by many Evangelical Christians and even some Catholics on this important subject. Congar's study of Tradition greatly contributed to the teaching of Vatican II and to a deeper appreciation of the Church Fathers.

We live in apocalyptic times: secularization, persecution, and atheism abound. In the history of the Church, the faithful relied on councils to unify and help them weather life's fierce trials. But what recourse do we have when the synods themselves begin sparking confusion and discord?

Cardinal Joseph Zen of Hong Kong was formed during the "wind of Pentecost" surrounding the Second Vatican Council and taught theology and philosophy in seminaries for more than fifty years. In these pages, collected from His Eminence's homilies, pastoral letters, and addresses, Cardinal Zen breaks open the Gospels and Sacred Tradition to help you remain steadfast in the true Faith and enliven your personal relationship with our Lord.

These wise teachings will safeguard you and provide the spiritual medicine and "rich nutrition" need for fruitful daily living. Cardinal Zen reveals how to transmit the Faith with vitality and love to every generation -- even from your own home. Through his insights, drawn from extraordinary real-life experience, you will also glean:

Regardless of where you are on your faith journey, Cardinal Zen reminds you: "Jesus has crazily fallen in love with you with all His heart, has dedicated Himself to you, and will not give up on you." As you encounter Christ's transformative presence in your life, you will be empowered with the courage to invite others to loving union with Him.

In this volume five Cardinals of the Church, and four other scholars, respond to the call issued by Cardinal Walter Kasper for the Church to harmonize "fidelity and mercy in its pastoral practice with civilly remarried, divorced people."

Beginning with a concise introduction, the first part of the book is dedicated to the primary biblical texts pertaining to divorce and remarriage, and the second part is an examination of the teaching and practice prevalent in the early Church. In neither of these cases, biblical or patristic, do these scholars find support for the kind of "toleration" of civil marriages following divorce advocated by Cardinal Kasper. This book also examines the Eastern Orthodox practice of oikonomia (understood as "mercy" implying "toleration") in cases of remarriage after divorce and in the context of the vexed question of Eucharistic communion. It traces the centuries long history of Catholic resistance to this convention, revealing serious theological and canonical difficulties inherent in past and current Orthodox Church practice.

Thus, in the second part of the book, the authors argue in favor of retaining the theological and canonical rationale for the intrinsic connection between traditional Catholic doctrine and sacramental discipline concerning marriage and communion.

The various studies in this book lead to the conclusion that the Church's longstanding fidelity to the truth of marriage constitutes the irrevocable foundation of its merciful and loving response to the individual who is civilly divorced and remarried. The book therefore challenges the premise that traditional Catholic doctrine and contemporary pastoral practice are in contradiction.

"Because it is the task of the apostolic ministry to ensure that the Church remains in the truth of Christ and to lead her ever more deeply into that truth, pastors must promote the sense of faith in all the faithful, examine and authoritatively judge the genuineness of its expressions and educate the faithful in an ever more mature evangelical discernment." - St. John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio