Most Christians worship on a regular basis on the Lord's Day. They have done so from the beginning, and their worship has centered on the Eucharist, following Jesus's words, "Do this in remembrance of me." Over the two millennia of the Christian tradition there have been shifts of emphasis and understanding about the Eucharist. This book attempts to point out, by providing accessible accounts of both liturgies and liturgists across the centuries and traditions, just how much different Christians have in common and how they can benefit from attending to one another's worship. The author's ultimate hope is that in its small way, the book will contribute to Christians worshiping together.
Many people think of prayer and worship in terms that are too narrow. Sometimes they also entertain presuppositions about prayer and worship that need to be expanded and critiqued and challenged to make them more mature and informed. This book seeks to address these issues. It is an invitation to engage with prayer and worship in ways that enlarge our capacity to think about, address, and encounter God through liturgy and theology, the arts and poetry, as well as basic critical thinking.
The last decade or so has seen many books from what might be called "the new atheists." One thinks, for example, of Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens. They have captured the interest of the general reading public and have sold well. Often, however, they have loaded the dice against Christian belief in a most unfair fashion. Arguments and issues have been summarily dismissed after the most cursory of treatments. Thinking God, written by a philosopher and a theologian, father and son, invites the reader to a more reflective consideration of the issues around God and the traditional fabric of Christian belief in a fair and openhanded fashion. Issues, both traditional and more contemporary, have been engaged. The result is an invitation to think of Christian faith seriously, reflectively, and critically.
Do you wish to understand something of the contemporary Catholic Church? If you do, then this book is for you. It offers a careful overview of the history of the church from the mid-nineteenth century, with Pope Pius IX, until the present day, with Pope Francis. It deals with two major councils of the church, Vatican I (1869-70) and Vatican II (1962-65). Furthermore, it provides a detailed and accurate summary of the major theological movements in the church during this period.
Christian thinking about the theology of creation has received new impetus in recent decades. This is due to, among other things, a more holistic approach to Holy Scripture, fresh insights from the history of Christian doctrine, the stimulus afforded by contemporary philosophies, and the desire to praise and thank God the Creator for the gift of creation. This little volume opens up all of those areas in an informed yet accessible way.
This book seeks to explore various aspects of nineteenth-century Catholic tradition, as embodied in its movements, such as Modernism, and in Vatican Council I, but especially through its people - its popes, theologians, and saints."--BOOK JACKET.
Grace is a key reality for all Christians of any denomination. More than that, it is a central experience. The history of grace is fascinating in and of itself. This little book offers a series of windows through which to see and understand how Christians in the past and in the present have thought about grace.
Many feel that work for Christian unity or ecumenism is not especially urgent or important in the complexities of our contemporary world. So many different issues demand the attention of committed Christians--for example, responding to global crises in which people are suffering, developing strong moral stands on a variety of moral problems and challenges, etc. Such issues must remain of major importance to Christians. However, Christians form the one Body of Christ. If that Body continues to remain divided and fragmented, lacking in unity, concord, and harmony, then Christian witness will be singularly diminished. This book attempts to demonstrate the importance of Christian unity/ecumenism by looking at important contributions of individual theologians and important texts/events, mainly of the twentieth century. The use of this book may help theologians and pastors urge forward the practice of ecumenism so that in God's time divided Christians may all be one.
Deacons and the Church presents a popular narrative history of the Order of the Diaconate in the Catholic Church from its dawn on the biblical scene in the Acts of the Apostles (with Saints Stephen and Philip), through the "golden age" of deacons in the fifth century. With the emergence of the "cultic priesthood," the diaconate as a unique and discrete member of the clergy declined into a transitional role - but never disappeared. Indeed, Dr. Cummings points out that the most popular saint (after Mary), Francis of Assisi, was a deacon - as were Saints Lawrence and Ephrem, all of whom are offered here as models of "Deacons for Deacons."" "The Second Vatican Council restored the Order of Deacon to a "full and permanent" membership in the clergy, along with priests and bishops. Now thirty thousand deacons serve the Church throughout the world and remain the fastest-growing clerical rank within the Latin Church. Deacon Cummings reflects on how this surge in the membership of the Order of Deacons will affect the Church in the years to come."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Many books exist devoted to the life, thought, and writings of Blessed John Henry Newman, the premier Catholic theologian in nineteenth-century England. His influence has been enormous, perhaps especially on Vatican II (1962–65). This book is a Newman primer, and not only a primer about Newman himself, but also about his time and place in church history. It attends to the papacy during his lifetime, his companions and friends, some of his peers at Oxford University, the First Vatican Council (1869–70), as well as some of his writing and theology. It should be especially helpful to an interested reader who has no particular background in nineteenth-century church history or in Newman himself.
The liturgical season of Lent and Good Friday are very important for Christians as they meditate and reflect upon the dying of Jesus. These are traditions that take us back to the very beginnings of the Christian tradition. From early times, pilgrims have made their way to the Holy Land, especially Jerusalem, to walk where Jesus walked and to remember his death on the cross. Not everyone can go to Jerusalem, and we cannot stand at the foot of the cross of Jesus, but the Stations of the Cross and the Seven Last Words may take us to Jerusalem and to Calvary imaginatively.
In the years since the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) reestablished deacons as a permanent order of the clergy, the diaconate has evolved into one of the most visible and fastest growing areas of ordained ministry within the Church. However, to many who grew up thinking of deacons as merely on a transitional step up the ecclesiastical ladder, the sudden proliferation of permanent members of this order has been both surprising, and mystifying--and edifying. In SAINTLY DEACONS, Owen Cummings explores the remarkable history and evolution of the diaconate through the lives of eight notable deacons over the two millennia of Christian history. It traces the tradition from its origins with New Testament "deacons," Stephen and Philip, to patristic deacons, Lawrence and Ephrem, through the medieval deacons, Alcuin of York and Francis of Assisi, and ends with the Reformation Era deacons, Reginald Pole and Nicholas Ferrar. Cummings shows that, throughout their long history, deacons have not been defined by a narrow job description, but rather have offered themselves to serve the local church as best they can, in accordance with their God-given gifts, the request of their bishops, and the tasks that need to be done. And he demonstrates the particular value and relevance of this versatile role in today's church. SAINTLY DEACONS takes a historical perspective and demonstrates the remarkable breadth of diaconal service through the ages. By including the Anglican deacon, Nicholas Ferrar of Little Gidding, Cummings has given this book an ecumenical relevance. Written in a focused and reader-friendly style, his book will appeal to all Catholics, and will be of particular interest to members of the diaconate, participants in permanent deacon programs, and parishioners who want to understand more about the background of the deacons within their own parish. +
The visit of Mary to her kinswoman Elizabeth in the Gospel of St. Luke is well-known to Christians, especially to those who pray the Rosary. The “visitation” is one of the joyful mysteries. This little book will assist Christians to approach this narrative in an adult and informed fashion, using the tools of historical criticism, and, at the same time, it will aid them in their devotional lives.
In these three essays - which were presented as keynote lectures at the 2004 conference of the National Association of Diaconate Directors - Professors Cummings, Ditewig, and Gaillardetz construct theologies of the diaconate in conversation with one another and the church. The result is essential reading for deacons, aspirants to the diaconate, deacon directors, as well as the other orders of the clergy, and the laity" -- Book jacket.
The liturgical season of Lent and Good Friday are very important for Christians as they meditate and reflect upon the dying of Jesus. These are traditions that take us back to the very beginnings of the Christian tradition. From early times, pilgrims have made their way to the Holy Land, especially Jerusalem, to walk where Jesus walked and to remember his death on the cross. Not everyone can go to Jerusalem, and we cannot stand at the foot of the cross of Jesus, but the Stations of the Cross and the Seven Last Words may take us to Jerusalem and to Calvary imaginatively.
Many books exist devoted to the life, thought, and writings of Blessed John Henry Newman, the premier Catholic theologian in nineteenth-century England. His influence has been enormous, perhaps especially on Vatican II (1962–65). This book is a Newman primer, and not only a primer about Newman himself, but also about his time and place in church history. It attends to the papacy during his lifetime, his companions and friends, some of his peers at Oxford University, the First Vatican Council (1869–70), as well as some of his writing and theology. It should be especially helpful to an interested reader who has no particular background in nineteenth-century church history or in Newman himself.
Spanning two millennia, with particular attention to the post-Reformation period, and including key thinkers, both Catholic and non-Catholic, Eucharistic Doctors argues that the Eucharist "makes" the Church. The thirty "Eucharistic doctors" included in this volume are not doctors in the formal sense of the term, but in the broad Christian tradition of eucharistic thought. Ranging from the patristic age to contemporary time, and embracing both the Eastern and Western Churches, they include Ignatius of Antioch, Hippolytus, Ambrose, John Chrysostom, Augustine, Maximus the Confessor, Thomas Aquinas, Wyclif, Luther, Calvin, Thomas Cranmer, George Herbert, Bellarmine, Jeremy Taylor, Schleiermacher, Newman, and many more. Although they represent different geographical locations, time periods, languages, and traditions, they all have this in common: a recognition of the Eucharist as central to the Christian faith. Book jacket.
Do you wish to understand something of the contemporary Catholic Church? If you do, then this book is for you. It offers a careful overview of the history of the church from the mid-nineteenth century, with Pope Pius IX, until the present day, with Pope Francis. It deals with two major councils of the church, Vatican I (1869–70) and Vatican II (1962–65). Furthermore, it provides a detailed and accurate summary of the major theological movements in the church during this period.
Christian thinking about the theology of creation has received new impetus in recent decades. This is due to, among other things, a more holistic approach to Holy Scripture, fresh insights from the history of Christian doctrine, the stimulus afforded by contemporary philosophies, and the desire to praise and thank God the Creator for the gift of creation. This little volume opens up all of those areas in an informed yet accessible way.
Most Christians worship on a regular basis on the Lord's Day. They have done so from the beginning, and their worship has centered on the Eucharist, following Jesus's words, "Do this in remembrance of me." Over the two millennia of the Christian tradition there have been shifts of emphasis and understanding about the Eucharist. This book attempts to point out, by providing accessible accounts of both liturgies and liturgists across the centuries and traditions, just how much different Christians have in common and how they can benefit from attending to one another's worship. The author's ultimate hope is that in its small way, the book will contribute to Christians worshiping together.
Many feel that work for Christian unity or ecumenism is not especially urgent or important in the complexities of our contemporary world. So many different issues demand the attention of committed Christians--for example, responding to global crises in which people are suffering, developing strong moral stands on a variety of moral problems and challenges, etc. Such issues must remain of major importance to Christians. However, Christians form the one Body of Christ. If that Body continues to remain divided and fragmented, lacking in unity, concord, and harmony, then Christian witness will be singularly diminished. This book attempts to demonstrate the importance of Christian unity/ecumenism by looking at important contributions of individual theologians and important texts/events, mainly of the twentieth century. The use of this book may help theologians and pastors urge forward the practice of ecumenism so that in God's time divided Christians may all be one.
Deacons and the Church presents a popular narrative history of the Order of the Diaconate in the Catholic Church from its dawn on the biblical scene in the Acts of the Apostles (with Saints Stephen and Philip), through the "golden age" of deacons in the fifth century. With the emergence of the "cultic priesthood," the diaconate as a unique and discrete member of the clergy declined into a transitional role - but never disappeared. Indeed, Dr. Cummings points out that the most popular saint (after Mary), Francis of Assisi, was a deacon - as were Saints Lawrence and Ephrem, all of whom are offered here as models of "Deacons for Deacons."" "The Second Vatican Council restored the Order of Deacon to a "full and permanent" membership in the clergy, along with priests and bishops. Now thirty thousand deacons serve the Church throughout the world and remain the fastest-growing clerical rank within the Latin Church. Deacon Cummings reflects on how this surge in the membership of the Order of Deacons will affect the Church in the years to come."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Many people think of prayer and worship in terms that are too narrow. Sometimes they also entertain presuppositions about prayer and worship that need to be expanded and critiqued and challenged to make them more mature and informed. This book seeks to address these issues. It is an invitation to engage with prayer and worship in ways that enlarge our capacity to think about, address, and encounter God through liturgy and theology, the arts and poetry, as well as basic critical thinking.
Canterbury Cousins is an effort in ecumenical theology, setting out to show how close the traditional Anglican theology of the Eucharist is to Roman Catholic theology. Book jacket.
The last decade or so has seen many books from what might be called "the new atheists." One thinks, for example, of Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens. They have captured the interest of the general reading public and have sold well. Often, however, they have loaded the dice against Christian belief in a most unfair fashion. Arguments and issues have been summarily dismissed after the most cursory of treatments. Thinking God, written by a philosopher and a theologian, father and son, invites the reader to a more reflective consideration of the issues around God and the traditional fabric of Christian belief in a fair and openhanded fashion. Issues, both traditional and more contemporary, have been engaged. The result is an invitation to think of Christian faith seriously, reflectively, and critically.
This book presents a solid Catholic teaching about angels through Scripture and tradition. It includes the ideas of modern theologians such as Bernard Cooke and Karl Rahner.
Provides an overview of Mary in the Christian tradition, beginning with the New Testament, through the Reformation, and finishing up with contemporary views on her role.
In the years since the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) reestablished deacons as a permanent order of the clergy, the diaconate has evolved into one of the most visible and fastest growing areas of ordained ministry within the Church. However, to many who grew up thinking of deacons as merely on a transitional step up the ecclesiastical ladder, the sudden proliferation of permanent members of this order has been both surprising, and mystifying--and edifying. In SAINTLY DEACONS, Owen Cummings explores the remarkable history and evolution of the diaconate through the lives of eight notable deacons over the two millennia of Christian history. It traces the tradition from its origins with New Testament "deacons," Stephen and Philip, to patristic deacons, Lawrence and Ephrem, through the medieval deacons, Alcuin of York and Francis of Assisi, and ends with the Reformation Era deacons, Reginald Pole and Nicholas Ferrar. Cummings shows that, throughout their long history, deacons have not been defined by a narrow job description, but rather have offered themselves to serve the local church as best they can, in accordance with their God-given gifts, the request of their bishops, and the tasks that need to be done. And he demonstrates the particular value and relevance of this versatile role in today's church. SAINTLY DEACONS takes a historical perspective and demonstrates the remarkable breadth of diaconal service through the ages. By including the Anglican deacon, Nicholas Ferrar of Little Gidding, Cummings has given this book an ecumenical relevance. Written in a focused and reader-friendly style, his book will appeal to all Catholics, and will be of particular interest to members of the diaconate, participants in permanent deacon programs, and parishioners who want to understand more about the background of the deacons within their own parish. +
Hoping to overcome what John Meier refers to as the “academic sneer factor” when speaking of the miraculous, Owen Cummings examines the history of the miraculous from the Old Testament through attitudes of twenty-first -century theologians.
Grace is a key reality for all Christians of any denomination. More than that, it is a central experience. The history of grace is fascinating in and of itself. This little book offers a series of windows through which to see and understand how Christians in the past and in the present have thought about grace.
This book seeks to explore various aspects of nineteenth-century Catholic tradition, as embodied in its movements, such as Modernism, and in Vatican Council I, but especially through its people - its popes, theologians, and saints."--BOOK JACKET.
The visit of Mary to her kinswoman Elizabeth in the Gospel of St. Luke is well-known to Christians, especially to those who pray the Rosary. The “visitation” is one of the joyful mysteries. This little book will assist Christians to approach this narrative in an adult and informed fashion, using the tools of historical criticism, and, at the same time, it will aid them in their devotional lives.
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