Description
Book SynopsisWalter Kasper is already well-known and loved throughout the English-speaking world. He has held high office in the Vatican but until his recent retirement has felt constrained from publishing what he really thinks and his vision of the Church for the future. Kasper brings to conclusion a project that has been pursued for years, as it joins together his greatest monographs on the subject of God''s teaching and Christology. The book covers three main topics:
Nature,
Reality and the
Mission of the Church. The introductory section is autobiographical and the reader can see Kasper''s personal and theological way in to and with the Church. He develops the actual ecclesiological exegesis - for Kasper the representation of the
Being of the Church is not about empirical description, but rather a testimony of being. He emphasizes that nobody is able to apply the stereotypical and idealistic image of the heavens to the critical acknowledgement of the church''s present
Trade ReviewMore than any other work currently available, Kasper’s book covers the needs of courses in ecclesiology ... [It] provides the richest and most accessible ecclesiology available at present. * Journal of Theological Studies *
There are a number of reasons why Anglicans should read Walter Kasper’s new book with close attention. He is a major figure in Catholic theology … and his work shows a keen awareness of ecumenical themes … His ecclesiology is very much one of ‘communio’ and although the Church of Christ ‘subsists’ in the Catholic Church Kasper is firm that Rome can learn from other Christian bodies. * Church of England Newspaper *
As with other works of [Kasper], this volume is rich in historical details and presents a balanced, erudite exegesis of Vatican II's understanding of the church. * Theological Studies *
Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. My Way Into and My Way With the Church 2. Basics of Catholic Ecclesiology 3. Determining Factors in the Life of the Church 4. The Church's Essential Qualities 5. The Communion-shape of the Churches 6. A Missionary Church in Dialogue Bibliography Index
