Introduction to the Mystery of the Church

Thomistic Ressourcement Series #3

by Benoit-Dominique de La Soujeole OP

Introduction to the Mystery of the Church is an ecclesiological survey presenting a doctrinal synthesis of the Church. The author's intention is to propose an overview of this mystery in connection with the entirety of the Christian mystery. The book is divided into two major parts, the first presenting the foundations in the Bible and the tradition up to our day, and the second being an explanatory proposal introducing the reader to the Church's definition and personality and concluding with an exposition of the four properties enunciated in the Creed (one, holy, catholic, and apostolic). The value of this way of proceeding is first and foremost in the proposal of a synthesis that allows one to situate each question in its rightful place, such study being oriented toward a better overall grasp of the subject. As the title suggests, the book is an introduction that should allow the reader to apprehend the mystery in its internal coherence in order subsequently, with the aid of other texts, to be able to enter more deeply into the study of one or other specific point. While this ecclesiology treatise is written from a Catholic point of view, an ecumenical perspective is often present, either through the presentation of divergent views from other Christian confessions or through the proposal for a theological convergence.

Genres: Theology, Ecclesiology

670 pages, Hardcover

First published May 30, 2014

Reviews

[Fr. Daniel Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ecclesiology is a very complex field of study because it is so difficult to understand and to pin down. There are so many elements, both human and divine, and at times it feels like even using certain terms are an impossibility.

La Soujeole very patiently treats all of the major themes related to ecclesiology and ties them all together with a comprehensive and systematic study that is, while difficult to read, not impossible to understand. I read this with a group of other seminarians guided by a priest, and our discussions were always very helpful. It was the first Thomistic book that I went through systematically, and I greatly appreciated the way the material was presented and how it all connected.

This is one of those books which will be a resource on my shelf for a long time. I plan to use it in the future to guide my vocabulary when speaking about the church. He really delves into the mystery and does not solve it, nor does he ignore it. He simply acknowledges it and invites the reader into a better understanding of the topic at hand. Often I found myself re-reading sections and trying to understand a concept better. What a mind La Soujeole must have to be able to speak clearly about such terms and distinctions!

I would recommend this book to anything familiar with ecclesiology already and who might have interest in its real metaphysical underpinnings as well as its relevance in modern day discussions, particularly ecumenical in nature. It's too easy to use broad sweeping language to talk about the Church, and La Soujeole's precision was a welcome change.

[Fr. Zachary Galante · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very long but very comprehensive book on the theology of the Church! The author is balanced, historical, very well researched, and shows how the theology of the Church of the 20st century is the fruit of the former 19 centuries (and beyond).

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fascinating introduction to the theology of the Church from a decidedly Catholic perspective. Fr. de la Soujeole gives interesting insights into the proper methodology and ordering and classification of questions of ecclesiology as well as into the properties of the Church (one, holy, catholic, and apostolic). He also provides interesting food for thought on such topics in modern ecclesiology as the nature of ecumenism and the relationship between papal primacy and episcopal collegiality. Ultimately, I do have some disagreements with Fr. de la Soujeole especially concerning some of his interpretations of the documents of the Second Vatican Council, but overall this is a well-written, systematic, thought-provoking treatment of the theology of the Church which I highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn about this.