Chalice of God: A Systematic Theology in Outline

by Aidan Nichols

Over the course of a distinguished theological career, Aidan Nichols has produced an array of masterful contributions to the fields of systematic theology, ecclesiology, theological aesthetics, ecumenism, liturgy, and Scripture. Now, in Chalice of God , he attempts to synthesize a lifetime of research, teaching, and scholarly reflection in a book that is both rigorously academic and intensely personal. This is Nichols' theological manifesto for the twenty-first century. Drawing together the insights of high scholasticism, the mid-twentieth-century ressourcement movement, a holistic reading of Scripture typical of the best patristic exegesis, and the liturgical tradition and iconography of both East and West, he presents a sound architecture for contemporary Catholic theology. Chalice of God promises to enrich and challenge those who engage in the enterprise of theology for years to come.

Genres: Theology

152 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

John Christopher "Aidan" Nichols O.P., S.T.M. (born 17 September 1948) is an English academic and Catholic priest.

Nichols served as the first John Paul II Memorial Visiting Lecturer at the University of Oxford for 2006 to 2008, the first lectureship of Catholic theology at that university since the Reformation. He is a member of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) and is the Prior of St Michael the Archangel in Cambridge.

Reviews

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really quite amazing. There are not many people who are up to the challenge of harmonizing Thomist thought with Balthasarian thought, but if anyone could do it, it's definitely Fr. Aidan Nichols; and if it happens anywhere, it happens in this intellectually and aesthetically compelling manifesto. His system (in which he attempts to remain faithful to the Magisterium, the Liturgy, the Fathers, Byzantine iconography, St. Thomas, and - oddly enough - Hans Urs von Balthasar) is centered around the image of the "chalice of God" which is necessarily twofold: (1) the chalice, and (2) God, who fills the chalice with Himself.

(1) The Chalice: Fr. Aidan Nichols gives to his system two principles of order, a philosophical and a theological. The philosophical principle is embodied in the image of "the chalice" and can be most simply stated by the following proposition: "Being is the most beautiful receptacle." (cf. Chalice of God, 2.1) Nichols expounds upon this principle and sheds light on it in a profound ontology which he develops in the second chapter.

(2) God, the Filler of the Chalice: After discussing his ontology and the fonts of divine revelation (Scripture and Tradition), Nichols unveils his theology, based on the theological principle of order given in the first chapter which can be simply stated as the following: "The heart of Christian revelation is found in the outpouring of plenitude on the world through the self-emptying of the Holy Trinity in Jesus Christ whereby a reconciling and deifying share in divine life is accorded us." (cf. 1.4.1)

Speaking as one who is typically influenced theologically by the Thomist tradition embodied, most especially, in St. Thomas's great 20th century disciple: Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, I do not consider praise given to one who claims to follow both St. Thomas and von Balthasar to be given lightly. However, I cannot but think that this work is both beautifully written, intellectually compelling, not to mention profoundly impacting the way I view theology.

[Disclaimer: I am a theological amateur, and as such I do not claim special expertise in this exalted science.]

[Fr. John Clark]

An excellent book which Nichols describes as his theological manifesto, something I wish all theological masters would write. It’s taken me three tries during seminary formation (‘18, ‘20, and finally ‘23) to actually understand the text—its highly synthetic approach and lofty image assumes much from the reader. I’m happy to say that I stand with Nichols in his work here, even with his more recent controversies casting some gloom on his life project.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first encounter with this brilliant theologian. It was not the best place to start. It assumes familiarity with his thought and prior writings.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

It gets 3 stars for being a thoughtful exposition of systematics but from an RC perspective, not because I endorse its perspective.

[Bishop Harber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Clear, concise, well-written. Very, very Catholic, of course. I was impressed.