Laying the Foundation: A Handbook of Catholic Apologetics and Fundamental Theology is a classic text by the late Fr. Joseph Clifford Fenton, a highly respected author, professor, and theologian of the twentieth century. “This book appeared in 1942 under the rather unimposing title We Stand with Christ: an Essay in Catholic Apologetics. It should have become a classic. It is, I believe, the greatest work of apologetics produced in a time of superstar apologists such as F. J. Sheed, Ronald Knox, and Fulton Sheen. It represents the high point of apologetics as well as a gold standard for subsequent works of fundamental theology.”—from the foreword by Scott Hahn, Franciscan University of Steubenville.
From the Prologue: "We are pleased to present this revised edition of Revelation, Faith, and Credibility which was first published in 1998. . . . "We renew our desire that it will be useful for students of theology and for all those who are interested in studying the fundamentals of the Catholic Faith. Furthermore, it is our hope that it will lead the reader to a profound Christian awareness that cooperates with the grace of God in sustaining the Faith, lends reason to our hope, and helps others to receive this great gift of knowing and loving Christ."
This book identifies the distinguishing features of fundamental theology, as distinct from philosophical theology, natural theology, apologetics, and other similar disciplines. Addressing the potential for confusion about basic Christian claims and beliefs, Gerald O'Collins sets out to relaunch fundamental theology as a discipline by presenting a coherent vision of basic theological questions and positions that lay the ground for work in specific areas of systematic theology. Rethinking Fundamental Theology examines central theological questions: about God, human experience and, specifically, religious experience; the divine revelation coming through the history of Israel and through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus; human faith that responds to revelation; the nature of tradition that transmits the record and reality of revelation; the structure of biblical inspiration and truth, as well as basic issues concerned with the formation of the canon; the founding of the Church with some leadership structures; the relationship between Christ's revelation and the faith of those who follow other religions. O'Collins concludes with some reflections on theological method. Written with the scholarship and accessibility for which O'Collins is known and valued, this book will relaunch fundamental theology as a distinct and necessary discipline in faculties and departments of theology and religious studies around the world.
Fundamental Theology is fundamental because it is about how we see the mysteries of God, his Christ, the Church, and the sacraments of the Church. It is about how these things show themselves-how God shows them-to the eyes of faith. If Christ and the Church are things shown, fundamental theology is about the very showing itself. Talking about the showing poses the risk, however, of losing sight of the things shown and drifting off into abstractions. By continually referring back to the things shown, this book will answer many of the questions that arise when we ask about the nature and necessity of Scripture and Tradition, Magisterium and Dogma, Faith and its praeambula. In this second volume of the Sacra Doctrina series, Fr. Guy Mansini takes the reader on a tour through the essence and meaning of Catholic fundamental theology. This title will serve as an excellent textbook for upper level undergraduate, graduate, and seminary students. Book jacket.
Faith Comes from What Is Heard: An Introduction to Fundamental Theology informs both the heart and mind as it brings together dogmatic and biblical theology, the Thomistic tradition, the teachings of the Fathers of the Church, and the contemporary Magisterium. Drawing heavily upon the works of St. Thomas Aquinas, Bl. John Henry Newman, Joseph Ratzinger, and St. John Paul II, the author examines the foundations of Catholic theology, or Fundamental Theology, “which is theology’s reflection on itself as a discipline, its method, and its foundation in God’s Revelation transmitted to us through Scripture and Tradition.” Although Faith Comes from What Is Heard is useful for all Catholics who want to understand the foundations of their faith, it is specifically designed to serve as a textbook for courses in Fundamental Theology in seminaries and in graduate and undergraduate programs in theology. It can also serve as a textbook for introductory theology and Scripture courses. The topics covered in Faith Comes from What Is Heard include: Revelation and FaithTheologyTradition and the MagisteriumBiblical Hermeneuticsthe Historicity of the Gospelsand Biblical Typology
First published in 1921, Fr. Prümmer'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 Prümmer!" At long last, this centenary edition restores the superb English translation of 1956 in a fresh new typesetting, making Fr. Prümmer'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: - Law, conscience, sin, and the passions -- with their respective types, causes, and effects - Commandments and precepts, how to observe them and recognize their violation - Divine rights and obligations in Christian family life and civil society - Excommunication and other penalties - Indulgences and how to obtain them - Virtues and vices - Scandal and moral cooperation in evil - Right worship, secret societies, private property, capital punishment, sexuality, abortion, war - And much more! 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.
"Everyone's a theologian, because everyone believes something about God, even those who reject him. So the question is not whether we have a theology but whether that theology is true. And that's what makes this excellent book by Fr. John Cush so needed and helpful: It guides us in forming a true theology." — Brandon Vogt, author of Why I Am Catholic and Content Director at Word on Fire Catholic Ministries "Unlike the authors of most theology texts today, Fr. Cush knows that to understand anything about the divine, one must be properly intellectually, ecclesially, and even mystically conformed to Jesus Christ as encountered through his Mystical Body, the Church. These clear and concise pages outline precisely what that means, to love God by seeking him truly." — Fr. David Meconi, S.J., Director, Catholic Studies Centre, Saint Louis University and Editor, Homiletic & Pastoral Review As you'll learn in The How-to Book of Catholic Theology: Everything You Need to Know But No One Ever Taught You, theology at its core is about encountering God's self-revelation in Christ through the Church. In his clear, conversational style, theologian Father John Cush offers a comprehensive overview of Catholic theology, making it both approachable and actionable. In this complete guide you'll learn: Models (or styles) of being a theologian What you need to start your study of theology How to form a theological method How to use the tools of theology How to reconcile differences in theology How the study of theology leads to holiness of life The How-to Book of Catholic Theology also includes points to remember, recommended reading, and advice for building your personal theological library. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in Brooklyn, New York, Father John Patrick Cush is a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Ordained in 1998, he earned the Doctorate in Sacred Theology (STD) from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, with a specialization in fundamental theology. Father Cush currently serves as academic dean and as a formation advisor at the Pontifical North American College, Vatican City-State. He is an adjunct assistant professor of theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University and an adjunct professor of Church History at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, both in Rome, Italy. Father Cush writes regularly for the National Catholic Register, The Tablet, The Evangelist, and Homiletic & Pastoral Review. He has served as a parish priest, high school teacher, and a Censor of Books for his diocese. This is his first book.
The comprehensive introduction to Catholic moral theology by the leading theologian and author of The Moral Virtues and Theological Ethics. In Introduction to Moral Theology, Father Romanus Cessario, O.P. presents and expounds on the basic and central elements of Catholic moral theology written in the light of Veritatis splendor. Since its publication in 2001, this first book in the Catholic Moral Thought series has been widely recognized as an authoritative resource on such topics as moral theology and the good of the human person created in God’s image; natural law; principles of human action; determination of the moral good through objects, ends, and circumstances; and the virtues, gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the Beatitudes. The Catholic Moral Thought series is designed to provide students with a comprehensive presentation of both the principles of Christian conduct and the specific teachings and precepts for fulfilling the requirements of the Christian life. Soundly based in the teaching of the Church, the volumes set out the basic principles of Catholic moral thought and the application of those principles within areas of ethical concern that are of paramount importance today.
The Oxford Handbook of Natural Theology" explores the diversity and vitality o natural theology, both historically and as an issue of contemporary concern.
