This article explores three aspects of John W. O’Malley’s contribution to the critical study of the Second Vatican Council: his contention that Vatican II reflects a new “style” or philosophy of history; that the distinctive rhetorical style of the conciliar texts is itself an expression of their substantive teaching; and finally, that the council is a decisive response to the crisis of modernity. A full appreciation of these insights requires that we consider his study of Vatican II against the horizon of his works on renaissance and early modern church history.