A journal of academic theology

Research Article

Mystagogy and Mission: The Challenge of Nonbelief and the Task of Theology

Christian engagement with nonbelievers is problematic when believing itself proves difficult
even for people of faith. A recovery of the original unity of the fides quae (the “content” of
faith held in belief) and the fides qua (how faith’s content is lived) can lead to a deeper sense
of believing. Rahner’s understanding of faith as a “mystagogy” that leads to mission serves
as a framework for recovering that original unity, and for addressing the contemporary
problem of belief, not only for nonbelievers, but also for believers themselves.

Tradition as Collective Memory: A Theological Task to Be Tackled

This article gathers and develops some fragmentary suggestions made by theologians
and Pope John Paul II about tradition as the collective memory of the church. In
the light of insights coming from anthropology, history, neuroscience, philosophy,
psychology, and sociology, the article proposes twelve ways for enriching a theology
of tradition. Modern memory studies can unite and clarify various aspects of a
theology of tradition, understood as collective memory.

Theology Today: Comparative Theology as a Catholic Theological Approach

Comparative theology is a relatively novel theological approach that revolves around a practice of comparative reading of authoritative religious documents. The International Theological Commission’s Theology Today: Perspectives, Principles and Criteria (2012) develops a systematic-theological elaboration of the specificity of Catholic theology. Our author investigates the question whether and to what extent Theology Today may endorse

Otto Semmelroth and the Advance of the Church as Sacrament at Vatican II

Otto Semmelroth played a major role in advancing the notion of the church as sacrament at Vatican II. His preconciliar works as well as his participation in working groups and committees were instrumental in introducing this systematic concept into the 1963 draft of Lumen gentium. His commentaries on the document disclose how his own understanding

From Organic Growth to Liturgico-Plasticity: Reconceptualizing the Process of Liturgical Reform

Vatican II introduced the principle of “organic growth” to describe its preferred postconciliar liturgical reform process. Botanical interpretations have dominated scholarly readings of this analogy and restricted the emergence of richer analogies for understanding liturgical change. This article interprets “organic growth” in the liturgy via the analogy of neuroplasticity both to explore historic and prognostic

Biblical Ethics: 3D

The past two decades have seen significant developments in the field of biblical ethics. The article looks at these in three dimensions so as to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the efforts of biblical scholars and Christian ethicists. The author perceives that a more integrated approach to biblical ethics, collaboration on various levels, innovation

Redeeming Conscience

Since the final report of the extraordinary synod of 2014 made no mention of conscience, this note proposes a notion of a socially oriented and accountable conscience as opposed to the contemporary understanding of the term “conscience” among US Catholics, that is, as dissenting from the law. Turning to the European use of “conscience” that

Longing for Transcendence: Cyborgs and Trans- and Posthumans

Technology is transforming the human body into a cyborg by making it a part of cyber networks. Transhumanists and posthumanists argue that technology will enable humans to overcome bodily limitation by reaching a technological immortality. The authors discuss recent literature on anthropological approaches and ethical implications about this technological promise. They suggest that the “Body

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