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Catholicism: Christ and the Common Destiny of Man
With a Foreword by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI
This book first appeared just over fifty years ago. It is the pilgrimatic work of one of the 20th century's greatest theologians. Deeply rooted in tradition, it breaks ground and sows seeds which will bear their fruit in the Second Vatican Council's central documents on the Church. Here, Henri de Lubac, one of the giants of 20th century theology, gathers from throughout the breadth and length of Catholic tradition elements which he synthesizes to show the essentially social and historical character of the Catholic Church and how this worldwide and agelong dimension of the Church is the only adequate matrix for the fulfillment of the person within society and the transcendence of the person towards God. This book is a classic that deserves to be read and reread by every educated Catholic.
This book first appeared just over fifty years ago. It is the pilgrimatic work of one of the 20th century's greatest theologians. Deeply rooted in tradition, it breaks ground and sows seeds which will bear their fruit in the Second Vatican Council's central documents on the Church. Here, Henri de Lubac, one of the giants of 20th century theology, gathers from throughout the breadth and length of Catholic tradition elements which he synthesizes to show the essentially social and historical character of the Catholic Church and how this worldwide and agelong dimension of the Church is the only adequate matrix for the fulfillment of the person within society and the transcendence of the person towards God. This book is a classic that deserves to be read and reread by every educated Catholic.
443 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1947
41 people are currently reading
829 people want to read
About the author
Henri de Lubac
206 books99 followersHenri-Marie de Lubac, SJ (1896-1991) was a French Jesuit priest who became a Cardinal of the Catholic Church, and is considered to be one of the most influential theologians of the 20th century. His writings and doctrinal research played a key role in the shaping of the Second Vatican Council.
De Lubac became a faculty member at Catholic Faculties of Theology of Lyons, where he taught history of religions until 1961. His pupils included Jean Daniélou and Hans Urs von Balthasar. De Lubac was created cardinal deacon by Pope John Paul II on February 2, 1983 and received the red biretta and the deaconry of S. Maria in Domnica, February 2, 1983. He died on September 4, 1991, Paris and is buried in a tomb of the Society of Jesus at the Vaugirard cemetery in Paris.
De Lubac became a faculty member at Catholic Faculties of Theology of Lyons, where he taught history of religions until 1961. His pupils included Jean Daniélou and Hans Urs von Balthasar. De Lubac was created cardinal deacon by Pope John Paul II on February 2, 1983 and received the red biretta and the deaconry of S. Maria in Domnica, February 2, 1983. He died on September 4, 1991, Paris and is buried in a tomb of the Society of Jesus at the Vaugirard cemetery in Paris.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 19, 2015
Pity the theologian, who seems to have two registers available to him or her: the impenetrably dry, and the unreadably kitsch. And what a pleasure to open, in fear and trembling, a long book of theology and discover someone who can write nice sentences, which are concise, and not cloying.
De Lubac presents his church as a particularly social one, and though he often seems verge on worship of the church, rather than God, he does try his best to make the church itself broader than it might otherwise seem. The Catholic Church, in this book at least, is not curial bureaucracy, but, as his subtitle has it, a common destiny for the human species.
So, despite some awkward discussions of other religions, de Lubac's church is a very welcoming one: social, embedded in history, aware of its own past but also of its present, universal to an almost Origenist point, and most importantly of all, dialectical: "Protestantism... generally occurs as a religion of antitheses.. either rites or morals, authority or liberty, faith or works, nature or grace, prayer or sacrifice, Bible or pope... but Catholicism does not accept these dichotomies" (315).
De Lubac presents his church as a particularly social one, and though he often seems verge on worship of the church, rather than God, he does try his best to make the church itself broader than it might otherwise seem. The Catholic Church, in this book at least, is not curial bureaucracy, but, as his subtitle has it, a common destiny for the human species.
So, despite some awkward discussions of other religions, de Lubac's church is a very welcoming one: social, embedded in history, aware of its own past but also of its present, universal to an almost Origenist point, and most importantly of all, dialectical: "Protestantism... generally occurs as a religion of antitheses.. either rites or morals, authority or liberty, faith or works, nature or grace, prayer or sacrifice, Bible or pope... but Catholicism does not accept these dichotomies" (315).
January 10, 2025
Inspiring, glorious, and breath-taking in scope. This is the a theological masterpiece and certainly the greatest work of modern Catholic theology I have ever read. Henri de Lubac mines Scripture, liturgies, the Church Fathers and medieval theologians, drawing out a rich abundance of insights. His discussion of Christianity's relationship to philosophy, general revelation, and other religions is also interesting though I always find myself a bit mystified by Christians who insist pre-Christ/ian religions had germs of true religion while other believers argue that Christianity is totally, radically, different - a paradox that de Lubac no doubt would appreciate. Another recurring theme is that human beings cooperate, with God; He gives us the dignity to participate in Creation, to establish His Kingdom and His Church.
I hope that one day Ignatius or another publisher reissues this with the footnotes fully translated; there are many pages where one-third to two-third of the page is taken up with Latin citations.
I hope that one day Ignatius or another publisher reissues this with the footnotes fully translated; there are many pages where one-third to two-third of the page is taken up with Latin citations.
April 5, 2010
Considered one of the most important books of 20th Century Catholic theology, this book is incredible. I was amazed at De Lubac's knowledge and handling of the Church Fathers. I came away with a deeper understanding of the social nature of Catholicism and the underpinnings of Communio theology. The only complaints I have are that a) there are too many footnotes and b)as someone whose Latin is very rusty and wasn't that good to begin with the Latin in the footnotes was almost worthless. I hope they come out with a translation that includes translations of the footnotes. The Appendix with excerpts, mainly of the Fathers, is great too.
September 18, 2014
If you want to understand a lot about Henri de Lubac (and perhaps the spirit of Vatican II), then this is a must. Look out as well for (at least this edition's) the thick corpus of writings from Church Fathers and some contemporary thinkers.
P.S. Get ready to be amazed with the Cardinal's footnotes.
P.S. Get ready to be amazed with the Cardinal's footnotes.
December 14, 2023
We support a modern florilegium
October 3, 2023
Oh de Lubac! De Lubac! What a good piece of theology. Really lent the meaning to the word “Catholic.” Not as a denomination but a necessary descriptor of Christianity. God wants a humanity bound up together in Christ. Bound together by charity, solidarity, and love of Him. Good book if you are looking to understand the ideas that led to Vatican II.
June 8, 2010
"Becoming," by itself, has no meaning; it is another word for absurdity. And yet, without transcendence, that is, without an Absolute actually present, found at the heart of the reality which comes to be, working upon it, really making it move, there can only be an indefinite "becoming"--unless, of course, complete disaster makes an end of all things and absurdity discovers at last the truth of its being, if one may so speak, by becoming nothingness."
November 13, 2013
I'm marking this book as "read," only because I've finished all that we were assigned for class (up to p. 217). I'd like to finish the rest sometime. De Lubac's methodology is "ressourcement"—a return to the sources. Thus, half of every page is footnotes of references to patristic sources. Still don't buy the Catholic stuff, but many parts were very good.
October 24, 2023
I wish I found this book a year ago. The original French subtitle does a better job at communicating the point of the book, “the social aspects of dogma.” De Lubac methodically examines the corporate aspects of the faith. For my purposes as I write on the Supper he has a especially helpful section on the corporate aspects of the Eucharist, including many quotes from the church fathers.
He also spends extended time outlining the relationship between the individual and the group. He points out that individualism isn’t meant to be completely repudiated, but that we are meant to rise above it. Basically, individualism is a bad end.
Of course, unity is a bad ultimate end as well. I love this quote at the end of the book:
“However genuine and unsullied the vision of unity that inspires and directs mankind’s activity, to become effective it must first be dimmed. It must be enveloped in the great shadow of the Cross. It is only by abandoning all idea of considering itself as it’s own end that mankind can be gathered together.”
He also spends extended time outlining the relationship between the individual and the group. He points out that individualism isn’t meant to be completely repudiated, but that we are meant to rise above it. Basically, individualism is a bad end.
Of course, unity is a bad ultimate end as well. I love this quote at the end of the book:
“However genuine and unsullied the vision of unity that inspires and directs mankind’s activity, to become effective it must first be dimmed. It must be enveloped in the great shadow of the Cross. It is only by abandoning all idea of considering itself as it’s own end that mankind can be gathered together.”
December 5, 2018
In this work, Henri de Lubac demonstrates the unity of humanity; that the unity of humanity as individuals making up an organic whole flows from our creation in the image of the God Who is three in one. The fundamental problem brought about by the Fall, he argues, is an the disintegration of this unity, "individualization," keeping us from communion with one another and, thus, with God. The work of Christ is the re-create humanity in Himself. His death and resurrection brings about the renewed unified humanity, the Church.
De Lubac draws extensively from Scripture and patristic sources, and the appendix of this book gives a helpful selection of extracts from the Church Fathers.
De Lubac draws extensively from Scripture and patristic sources, and the appendix of this book gives a helpful selection of extracts from the Church Fathers.
February 14, 2009
This book addresses the theological ideas of community and humanity. It explores a wide array of topics - from sacraments to predestination to the concept of personhood - asking how each topic is affected by theology concerning the unity of the community of God and of all humanity. I found it extremely valuable for its extensive drawing upon quotations from Church Fathers.
The treatment on the paradox of unity and distinction of parts in section XI was particularly profound and helpful to me. Shallow unity occurs when parts (people) are homogeneous. As individual distinctions are appreciated and flourish, the result is a high order of unity. The Trinity is the highest form of this paradox.
De Lubac writes from a strictly Catholic perspective, but most of his ideas are should be quite helpful to Protestants who have a different view of the "catholic" church.
The treatment on the paradox of unity and distinction of parts in section XI was particularly profound and helpful to me. Shallow unity occurs when parts (people) are homogeneous. As individual distinctions are appreciated and flourish, the result is a high order of unity. The Trinity is the highest form of this paradox.
De Lubac writes from a strictly Catholic perspective, but most of his ideas are should be quite helpful to Protestants who have a different view of the "catholic" church.
January 17, 2008
This book has done the most to open me to Patristic sources of theology and to the threads leading up to and culminating in Vatican II, grounding that Council for me in a way I had not understood before. A fast read, as almost every page is half footnotes- a bit thick in parts, but it has borne re-reading well and I've not opened it without learning or being reminded of something very important.
Interestingly enough, de Lubac was actually silenced by his Jesuit superiors sometime in the 50s - every book in his study was removed and he was forbidden to write. He bore it with patience and ended up as a peritus (theological advisor to the bishops) at Vatican II. A small testament to his love for and obedience to the Church.
Interestingly enough, de Lubac was actually silenced by his Jesuit superiors sometime in the 50s - every book in his study was removed and he was forbidden to write. He bore it with patience and ended up as a peritus (theological advisor to the bishops) at Vatican II. A small testament to his love for and obedience to the Church.
July 24, 2012
De Lubac wants to show us something...Big. He wants to show us what Catholicism means. Gun-shy from battles lost to his own voice, this "stuttering theolgian" guides the reader through the varied voices of the Apostles and Fathers, uncovering an obscured vision of Christian unity in the Mystical Body of Christ, half-hidden and sometimes lost in the radical individualism so proper to the modern western sort. This book is essential reading - there is no other way to say it. Few theologians have had greater influence on the Church and this book does well to example the depth and power of de Lubac's theological program.
December 8, 2011
De Lubac is a first rate theologian who brings a solid understanding of history to bear upon our understanding of the Church and the Christian community today. His work reveals the truth that all theology is historical. He makes a strong case from the writings of the fathers that salvation is not individual but a communal reality. We come to know Christ and his truth as a community of people, as the body of Christ. Provocative reading, particularly in an age where the individual is lifted up as the center of all existence.
August 23, 2016
In an impressive synthesis De Lubac demonstrates the social nature of Dogma. He reaches deep into patristic texts to show that "Catholic" has never and will never refer to a christian sect only standing alongside other religious professions. To be Catholic is to be universal. The Church, because it is the Mystical Body of Christ, is the sign and instrument of unity for the whole of humanity through which the saving Mysteries of Christ is perpetuated.
June 20, 2017
Excellent book. Only issue is that Ignatius doesn't provide translations of the Latin and Greek they provide in the footnotes. They translate the Latin and Greek in the text, but not in the footnotes. Go figure. Some of the Latin and Greek I could work out, but don't know either well enough to save myself some frustration.
February 5, 2011
A truly gorgeous and faithful work of theology. Henri de Lubac is masterful at retrieving the patristic writings to speak to us today. Lubac's ability to compellingly narrate the Christian story within the Catholic tradition and his penchant for the paradoxical nature of Christianity shine forth in this classic work. This is a work that is worth returning to more than once.
November 8, 2014
Long story short. This book was just okay. The pace was slow, the insights unexciting, the font small, and the page-length long. I enjoyed de Lubac's book on Scripture in the Tradition much more, and for varied reasons. The most redeeming factor was the appendix, consisting of almost 100 pages of quotations from Church fathers.
December 12, 2015
A seminal work of theology which, in my opinion, has yet to be fully integrated into the life of the Church. Catholicism provides a picture of human and Christian community that allows for the deepest dedication to the common good of man without sacrificing any of the doctrinal rigor in favor of a shallow emotivism. Absolutely a must-read for Catholic theology students.
April 8, 2009
Interesting book it formed the basis for Vatican II and liberation theology. It's a little difficult conceptually, but if you want to find out what the reasoning of the Church is behind some controversial issues it's worth a look.
March 12, 2013
Simply Fantastic. A little "liberal" in a few places, but overall de Lubac has affirmed many of the reasons I returned to the Catholic Church. Please read this and know the beauty of the Church and Her Savior
May 4, 2012
Among the most influential works of 20th century theology. When i first read it, I had the impression that much of my previous theological study had been wasted time.
September 25, 2012
Una palabra: maravilloso.
May 4, 2013
G r e a t !
November 6, 2015
This is a fantastic book. De Lubac was probably the most erudite theologian since Augustine. He read literally everything. I come back to this book again and again.
March 31, 2016
Changed my spiritual and theological trajectory like few other books have.
December 26, 2017
Great. A worthy challenge to any Protestants theology!
April 20, 2022
The essence of Catholicism.
September 26, 2020
A tough read and I won't pretend I absorbed it all. I underlined a lot of passages. Here's one from near the end of the book that is so relevant for 2020 America: "Faith is not a repository of dead truths which we may respectfully set aside so as to plan our whole lives without them. If in the upward direction a discontinuity between the natural and the supernatural is fundamental, there must be an influence in the downward direction."
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December 8, 2020In terms of how far the thought of an individual theologian can go in impacting on the corporate mentality of the entire Church, Henri de Lubac became to the ecclesiology of Vatican II what Thomas Aquinas was to the sacramentology of Trent.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews