On Christian Faith: The Spiritual, Ethical, and Political Dimensions by Edward Schillebeeckx

by Edward Schillebeeckx

Discusses the responsibilities of a Christian, looks at Jesus's life and his relation to the Church, and suggests the Church's role in the future

84 pages, Unknown Binding

First published December 31, 1987

About the author

Edward 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.

Reviews

[Steve Irby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just finished "On Christian Faith," by Edward Schillebeeckx.

This book appears to be his Kuyper lecture notes. He opens with a wonderful quote:

"No theologian can be taken seriously unless he or she can cook." Rosemary Ruether

I am still thinking about this one. I believe it is being able to see the systematic nature of cooking on the one hand and the leeway to be innovative and creative on the other.

This is only 84 pages so it will be quick. I think I am at a bit of a disadvantage because Edward (first name to keep me from spelling Schillebeeckx) was a Roman. Also this being the Kuyper lectures makes me think he will work off Kuyper's existing framework: spheres of sovereignty which I disagree with. Ironically the next book in my short stack is J.H. Yoder who historically was from a tradition which ran for their lives from both the Romans and Kuyper's Calvinists.

Chapter 1: Who or what brings salvation to men or women? The world and God.

Beginning the chapter Edward says that we cant reduce theology to Christology. I get a bit taken aback when I read someone minimize Christology. This has historically been--for me, at least--an attempt to reduce the the person and work of Christ so that a more fluid speculation of the transcendent can kick in for one reason or another, usually pluralism or universalism. There is no greater revelation of the transcendent God than in Christ.

I seem to be on to something. He continues in a very pluralistic tone. Though he does mention something interesting: salvation has been see as only an ontological issue--rectifying our relationship with God--rather that a wholly liberating affair. I agree with reservations. Does this end up looking like a prosperity gospel?

Chapter 2: The career of Jesus confessed as the Christ.

Edward begins by saying that Jesus Christ was not the name but title of Jesus and it was the earliest confessional name of the Lord by the earliest believers. Without that Jesus of Nazareth would have never been known.

I take issue with something he says a bit later. He says that Jesus gives us "salvation from God." This makes God out to be He who is against us and also begs Edward to answer if he believes that God was in Christ reconciling the world to God? This borders on the propitiation/ expiation debate to where Jesus was the third party for us against Gods wrath, or if He was very God taking our sin from us and the evil third party was Satan.

Many things if not most in this chapter I agree with. His Christology still seems out of touch with his creedal profession but I guess I will have to read his 700 page "Jesus" to see where he lands.

Chapter 3: Jesus and the church of Christ

He sees that modern day Christianity has defaulted to Ecclesiocentrism. I agree it has. With a focus on church over the body of people indwelt by the Spirit of Christ we have made a structure greater than the relationship Jesus came to bring in Hid Kingdom message.

The route this chapter went was along the "we arent Greeks so we cant assume anyone can understand Chalcedon." The way this finished seemed to set the stage for an alternative Christological understanding. I think he will move away from the incarnation and the hypostatic union for a more Spirit Christology or adoptionist model of he even addresses and suggest alternatives.

Chapter 4: Jesus as the question of men and women to God: mysticism, ethics and politics

This last chapter was Edward making a case that Christian's should be involved in the political sphere. He begins by diving into the ethical. In the end I dont find this point of his lecture convincing. Politics in any form means force. I can not in good conscience advocate the use of force against another, directly or via proxy.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to one of the most prolific Catholic theologians of the 20th Century. It is the compilation of his Abraham Kuyper lectures at the Free University of Amsterdam that gives a broad overview of his entire theological project.

From his radical understandings of God, revelation, humankind and Jesus Christ to his highly relevant idea of the mystical-political and "political holiness", Schillebeeckx hits all the right notes in presenting a theology that does justice to both contemplation and relationship with God as well as the interpersonal and social action that such a relationship entails. His theology is both highly relevant and challenging.

A great overview of Christian faith from one of the finest minds of the Vatican II generation.