What do you think?
Rate this book
A Christology of Religions
In his latest book, Gerald O'Collins adopts the person and saving work of Christ as the master key for organizing themes commonly treated by theologies of religion. But he does so through the lens of Christology to examine important themes that these theologies typically the relevance of the theology of the cross for thinking about "the others"; the impact of Christ's priesthood on all men and women of all places and times; the efficacy of prayer for "the others" inspired by love; and the nature of faith available for these "others."
This "Christology of religions," O'Collins argues, can help break the current stalemate widely affecting the theology of religions, and breathe new life into thinking about religious "others."
This "Christology of religions," O'Collins argues, can help break the current stalemate widely affecting the theology of religions, and breathe new life into thinking about religious "others."
192 pages, Paperback
Published June 26, 2018
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Gerald O'Collins
89 books18 followersBorn in Australia, Gerald O’Collins received his PhD at Cambridge University in 1968. From 1973 to 2006 he taught at the Gregorian University (Rome), where he was also dean of the theology faculty (1985–91). He is now a research professor in theology at St Mary’s University College in Twickenham.
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 19, 2018
When Christians engage in interfaith or multi-faith conversations, where does Jesus fit? Do Christians pursue common denominator conversations and set aside Christological concerns, or do they get brought in? If one starts with the premise that Jesus was a prophet or simply a noted religious leader, that is one thing, but what if one starts with the premise that Christ is not only a divine figure, but the second person of the Trinity? That makes things more difficult. For Jews, Jesus is at most a prophet, but that conversation is often difficult. For Islam Jesus is a noted prophet and messiah, just not the Son of God. For other religions, Jesus doesn't factor in. So, what should we do?
Gerald O'Collins is a Jesuit theologian who has written widely on religion and Christological issues. The premise of this book is that Christology has not been put at the center of Christian interfaith engagement. O'Collins believes that for true interfaith conversation, Christians need to address issues of salvation, the cross, and Christ's priestly role. O'Collins suggests that most "Christocentric" theologies of religon ignore such Christological themes as the theology of the cross, his priestly ministry, the "efficacy of his loving prayer for 'the other,'" and his role in mediating divine revelation. O'Collins seeks to rectify this situation.
While O'Collins seeks to write this Christology of Religion from a broadly Christian, and not just Roman Catholic perspective, most of his Christian conversation partners are in fact Roman Catholic, from Karl Rahner to Pope John Paul II. This is especially seen in the conversation about Christ's priestly role. Nonetheless, what is present here is for the most part transferable across traditions.
The book begins with a chapter on "incarnation as caring for 'the Others' and Sharing the Sufferings of All." This is an appropriate starting point -- the premise that Jesus is the incarnate Word, who cares/loves others and shares our sufferings. He seeks to make clear taht the message of Jesus was for the Jews but not only Jews. The message may have been delivered to Jews, but it was for everyone. Central to this message is the cross.
From the incarnation, we move to the post-Easter role of Jesus as high priest. who makes intercession for us. If we are to speak of Christ's priestly role, then we must attend to the Book of Hebrews, which is the only New Testament book to fully develop a theology of Jesus as priest -- here in the role of Melchizedek. He does recognize that Paul and John both do speak of Jesus interceding for others, but Hebrews has a special appeal. I found chapter 3 more appealing as it is here that he speaks of the Holy Spirit as the sign of Christ's universal presence. The point he seeks to make is that a Christology of Religions must be trinitarian, for "the mission of the Son and the mission of the Spirit merge in leading all people home to God the Father" (p. 75). This leads us in chapter 4 to ecclesiology, with the focus being on the church's responsibility to make intercession for all. O'Collins writes that the role of prayer is rarely raised in theologies of religion. Regarding intercessory prayer, O'Collins suggests that it is an act of loving others, for it shows concern about others salvation. It is priestly ministry. It also changes those who pray for others. It is inspired by love, connecting the one who prays with the other in relationship. He speaks in chapter five about the faith of the suffering others, noting God's concern for those who suffer, even those who are not Christian. Ultimately God is with those who suffer.
A key question in a Christology of religion concerns discerning Christ's presence in the world, including among those who do not explicitly profess faith in Christ. He speaks of four criteria, including profundity of faith, of appropriate behavior, Christiological and pneumatological orientation, and trinitarian shape. Using these criteria, he invites us to consider how Christ is present among those professing other faiths. This involves looking not at the teachings of other faiths, but the experience and actions. Do they exhibit "sees of the Word." Are there sufficient expression of divine revelation there that can lead to dialogue and cooperation? He believes so.
These chapters lead us to a place of significant discussion, and that is with the two other Abrahamic religions. This chapter looks to Vatican II and its decrees regarding these two religions, which are explicitly addressed. Nostra Aetete addresses Islam, noting that it includes Jesus in its tradition, and honors Mary as virgin. Common ground is acknowledged. Lumen Gentium deals more specifically with the church's relationship with the Jews, acknowledging the harm done in the past, the anti-antisemitism present in the teachings of the church. With the two documents from Vatican II as background, by 2015 the church could issue a document recognizing that the gifts and calling of the Jews are irrevocable, and thus there is no need to seek the conversion of Jews.
There is a lot to consider here. From my read here my sense is that O'Collins fits into the inclusivist camp that expands upon Karl Rahner's views. He seeks to be inclusive, to recognize God's presence among people following other faiths, but from a Christological perspective, the assumption is that it is through the ministry of Jesus and the Spirit that humanity is drawn to the Father. The premise here is that we cannot truly engage others in interfaith dialogue if we do not come tot he conversation with the person of Christ at the forefront of our minds. It is hopeful, but requires more work from us.
Gerald O'Collins is a Jesuit theologian who has written widely on religion and Christological issues. The premise of this book is that Christology has not been put at the center of Christian interfaith engagement. O'Collins believes that for true interfaith conversation, Christians need to address issues of salvation, the cross, and Christ's priestly role. O'Collins suggests that most "Christocentric" theologies of religon ignore such Christological themes as the theology of the cross, his priestly ministry, the "efficacy of his loving prayer for 'the other,'" and his role in mediating divine revelation. O'Collins seeks to rectify this situation.
While O'Collins seeks to write this Christology of Religion from a broadly Christian, and not just Roman Catholic perspective, most of his Christian conversation partners are in fact Roman Catholic, from Karl Rahner to Pope John Paul II. This is especially seen in the conversation about Christ's priestly role. Nonetheless, what is present here is for the most part transferable across traditions.
The book begins with a chapter on "incarnation as caring for 'the Others' and Sharing the Sufferings of All." This is an appropriate starting point -- the premise that Jesus is the incarnate Word, who cares/loves others and shares our sufferings. He seeks to make clear taht the message of Jesus was for the Jews but not only Jews. The message may have been delivered to Jews, but it was for everyone. Central to this message is the cross.
From the incarnation, we move to the post-Easter role of Jesus as high priest. who makes intercession for us. If we are to speak of Christ's priestly role, then we must attend to the Book of Hebrews, which is the only New Testament book to fully develop a theology of Jesus as priest -- here in the role of Melchizedek. He does recognize that Paul and John both do speak of Jesus interceding for others, but Hebrews has a special appeal. I found chapter 3 more appealing as it is here that he speaks of the Holy Spirit as the sign of Christ's universal presence. The point he seeks to make is that a Christology of Religions must be trinitarian, for "the mission of the Son and the mission of the Spirit merge in leading all people home to God the Father" (p. 75). This leads us in chapter 4 to ecclesiology, with the focus being on the church's responsibility to make intercession for all. O'Collins writes that the role of prayer is rarely raised in theologies of religion. Regarding intercessory prayer, O'Collins suggests that it is an act of loving others, for it shows concern about others salvation. It is priestly ministry. It also changes those who pray for others. It is inspired by love, connecting the one who prays with the other in relationship. He speaks in chapter five about the faith of the suffering others, noting God's concern for those who suffer, even those who are not Christian. Ultimately God is with those who suffer.
A key question in a Christology of religion concerns discerning Christ's presence in the world, including among those who do not explicitly profess faith in Christ. He speaks of four criteria, including profundity of faith, of appropriate behavior, Christiological and pneumatological orientation, and trinitarian shape. Using these criteria, he invites us to consider how Christ is present among those professing other faiths. This involves looking not at the teachings of other faiths, but the experience and actions. Do they exhibit "sees of the Word." Are there sufficient expression of divine revelation there that can lead to dialogue and cooperation? He believes so.
These chapters lead us to a place of significant discussion, and that is with the two other Abrahamic religions. This chapter looks to Vatican II and its decrees regarding these two religions, which are explicitly addressed. Nostra Aetete addresses Islam, noting that it includes Jesus in its tradition, and honors Mary as virgin. Common ground is acknowledged. Lumen Gentium deals more specifically with the church's relationship with the Jews, acknowledging the harm done in the past, the anti-antisemitism present in the teachings of the church. With the two documents from Vatican II as background, by 2015 the church could issue a document recognizing that the gifts and calling of the Jews are irrevocable, and thus there is no need to seek the conversion of Jews.
There is a lot to consider here. From my read here my sense is that O'Collins fits into the inclusivist camp that expands upon Karl Rahner's views. He seeks to be inclusive, to recognize God's presence among people following other faiths, but from a Christological perspective, the assumption is that it is through the ministry of Jesus and the Spirit that humanity is drawn to the Father. The premise here is that we cannot truly engage others in interfaith dialogue if we do not come tot he conversation with the person of Christ at the forefront of our minds. It is hopeful, but requires more work from us.
Displaying 1 of 1 review