Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ: A Model Theologian, 1918-2008
Twentieth-century Catholicism has been marked by seismic cultural, theological and demographic shifts, opening the Catholic community to a new understanding of its 2,000-year heritage and a new capacity for bringing its venerable traditions to bear on an ever evolving world. For the astute observer of religion, American Catholicism is a particularly fascinating phenomenon in this global process. There is no better window into this laboratory than the career and contribution of Avery Dulles, S.J. (1918-2008). This book provides a masterful theological overview. It is an encyclopedic and relatively accessible study of the intellectual corpus, critical reflection and dialogue, churchmanship and spiritual development of a personality who reflected and helped define the last seven decades of the U.S. pilgrimage among Catholics and their conversation partners worldwide....For readers committed to understanding recent decades of American history, post-conciliar Catholicism or the reception of Vatican II by Catholics and others, Carey s book is indispensable. For historical and theological research it is a gold mine. And for the serious reader of Ignatian or contemporary ecumenical Christian spirituality, it provides rich, evangelical nourishment. Without doubt, it leaves the theological community and the institutional leadership in the church a rich array of unresolved challenges as well as of resources for the 21st century.--Jeffrey Gros, F.S.C., is Distinguished Professor of Ecumenical and Historical Theology at Memphis Theological Seminary in America magazine, Nov. 29, 2010 --America Magazine Nov. 29, 2010