The Collected Works of Edward Schillebeeckx Volume 2: Revelation and Theology

by Edward Schillebeeckx

In effect Revelation and Theology is Schillebeeckx’s general introduction to theology. Its fifteen chapters were originally published separately between 1954 and 1962, but the thematic collection offers a vivid picture of the theological renewal in the wake of World War II. Schillebeeckx’s erudition and broad scholarly orientation are clearly demonstrated in this volume. Throughout there are pointers to the (at that time new) ecumenical approach to Scripture and tradition. The problem concerning the function of the scholastic tradition is highlighted. Although Schillebeeckx draws extensively on Thomas Aquinas’s thinking, this early work already shows that he is not a (neo)Thomist in the narrow sense of the word. Unlike the single Dutch volume, the English version was published in two volumes. In the Collected works of Edward Schillebeeckx, however, here they are published together in the sequence that the author envisaged.

Genres: Theology

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1967

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

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oy! Dry and repetative to a point where the reading experience was like listening to a grandparent with Alzheimer's talk about their days of woodworking for a week straight. NONETHELESS, I took away some good meat from this book. I'd never given deep thought of all the myriad ways both the practice of theology and the fact* of revelation interplayed through history to the present before this. Not dynamic, unless you're an academic maybe? but truly intriguing ideas. Forget what I said about the writing. If the subject interests you, bite the bit and go for it.

*Please don't quibble over "fact." Revelation is a fact attested in scripture. Even if you deny some or all Christian claims, that's fine by me, but you can't deny that something called the Bible exists as attested revelation.

[Peter Fick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not an easy reading because of the many different topics and approaches. Some parts are very hard to follow because of the theological jargon that is used. After struggling my way through the book I was happy to see the openness Schillebeeckx had for new developments in the last pages. Even though this book is already so many decades old, there are parts of the book that can be helpful in understanding the background of some of today's difficulties in addressing revelation.