What do you think?
Rate this book
The Church With a Human Face: A New and Expanded Theology of Ministry
English, Dutch (translation)
- GenresTheology
Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Edward Schillebeeckx
154 books16 followersEdward Cornelis Florentius Alfonsus Schillebeeckx was a Belgian Roman Catholic theologian born in Antwerp. He taught at the Catholic University in Nijmegen. He then continued writing. In his nineties, he still wanted to finish a major book about the Sacraments.
He was a member of the Dominican Order. His books on theology have been translated into many languages, and his contributions to the Second Vatican Council made him known throughout the world.
He was a member of the Dominican Order. His books on theology have been translated into many languages, and his contributions to the Second Vatican Council made him known throughout the world.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 17, 2024
A CONTROVERSIAL DUTCH THEOLOGIAN DISCUSSES MINISTRIES IN THE CHURCH
Edward Schillebeeckx (1914-2009) was a Dutch Catholic theologian and Dominican priest, who wrote a number of important "progressive" books in the Catholic tradition (e.g., 'Christ: The Sacrament of the Encounter With God'; 'Jesus: An Experiment in Christology,' 'Church: The Human Story of God,' etc.).
He wrote in the Preface to this 1985 book, "my book Ministry: Leadership in the Community of Jesus Christ was still too much a work consisting of originally separate articles... it has also provoked criticism of me here and there, both from theologians and from the official magisterium... (here I) return to the problem of ministry in the Roman Catholic Church and the crisis surrounding it... Hence this new book on 'ministries in the church.'"
He suggests that "Many of Paul's admonitions are prompted by such motives of pastoral mission: not giving offense to others, for these are potential Christians. This is an expression of contextual pastoral strategy, not kerygma or dogma." (Pg. 37) He cautions us, "This history should therefore teach us a twofold lesson: the dangerous and creative recollection of the necessary unity in tension between the charisma of all believers and institutionalized limitation of this same charisma." (Pg. 92)
He makes the historical observation, "In the second century ministry is not an 'ontological quality' that is bestowed by the laying on of hands and which nothing can later erase, certainly not in the church in Latin Africa." (Pg. 152)
He notes that "This discontent of women is no longer just a complaint; it has become a sharp accusation. As long as women in the church are completely excluded from all the authorities which make decisions, there can be no question of the true liberation of women in and through the church." (Pg. 239)
Concerning celibacy, he suggests that "not to marry is seldom, if ever, the object of a person's real choice. The real object of the choice is 'something else.'" (Pg. 245) He adds, "in my view the debate about celibacy is not closed; it has barely been opened. And that is where I will leave the question for the moment." (Pg. 251)
Schillebeeckx's writings are always thought-provoking, and this one is certainly no exception.
Edward Schillebeeckx (1914-2009) was a Dutch Catholic theologian and Dominican priest, who wrote a number of important "progressive" books in the Catholic tradition (e.g., 'Christ: The Sacrament of the Encounter With God'; 'Jesus: An Experiment in Christology,' 'Church: The Human Story of God,' etc.).
He wrote in the Preface to this 1985 book, "my book Ministry: Leadership in the Community of Jesus Christ was still too much a work consisting of originally separate articles... it has also provoked criticism of me here and there, both from theologians and from the official magisterium... (here I) return to the problem of ministry in the Roman Catholic Church and the crisis surrounding it... Hence this new book on 'ministries in the church.'"
He suggests that "Many of Paul's admonitions are prompted by such motives of pastoral mission: not giving offense to others, for these are potential Christians. This is an expression of contextual pastoral strategy, not kerygma or dogma." (Pg. 37) He cautions us, "This history should therefore teach us a twofold lesson: the dangerous and creative recollection of the necessary unity in tension between the charisma of all believers and institutionalized limitation of this same charisma." (Pg. 92)
He makes the historical observation, "In the second century ministry is not an 'ontological quality' that is bestowed by the laying on of hands and which nothing can later erase, certainly not in the church in Latin Africa." (Pg. 152)
He notes that "This discontent of women is no longer just a complaint; it has become a sharp accusation. As long as women in the church are completely excluded from all the authorities which make decisions, there can be no question of the true liberation of women in and through the church." (Pg. 239)
Concerning celibacy, he suggests that "not to marry is seldom, if ever, the object of a person's real choice. The real object of the choice is 'something else.'" (Pg. 245) He adds, "in my view the debate about celibacy is not closed; it has barely been opened. And that is where I will leave the question for the moment." (Pg. 251)
Schillebeeckx's writings are always thought-provoking, and this one is certainly no exception.
Displaying 1 of 1 review