Divine Revolution: Salvation and Liberation in Catholic Thought

by Dean Brackley

A compelling exploration of one of the central issues - if not 'the' central issue - facing theology in our the relation between transcendent salvation and temporal liberation. What does the salvation that the church proclaims mean for the poor of the world? In 'Divine Revolution' Dean Brackley presents in a comprehensive yet manageable way what Catholic theology has to say about this complex and urgent topic. He addresses the historical as well as the systematic dimensions of the question, providing insights that point toward an understanding of the issues that challenge conservative and liberal interpretations alike. In a work of great daring and clarity, Brackley surveys the confusion surrounding the social-historical dimension of salvation in Catholic thought. He shows the irony of the fact that, after 2,000 years, what salvation means for the poor in relationship to their concrete plight remains a 'quaestio disputata' for official, Magisterial teaching. Going deeply into the relationship of salvation and liberation, Brackley explores the thought of Maritain, Rahner, and Gutierrez to demonstrate how the 'synbolon' of the Reign of God that Jesus announces transcends the tired theological distinctions of all sides in the debate. Drawing from developments in feminist and Protestant theology, as well as contemporary social theory, 'Divine Revolution' offers a fresh understanding of what it means to participate in God's revolutionary reign. Catholic tradition, Brackley argues, has great potential to articulate a hope which responds to the suffering of the poor in our time. When conventional wisdom says compassion-fatigued Americans are tired of hearing about the poor, Brackley responds, The poor are far more tired of being poor. They, too, would like to move on to other things, but they cannot.

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[graceofgod · Rating 4 out of 5]

The church does not have two missions, one primary and one secondary. It has a single integral mission as beacon and sacrament of God's integral revolution. This mission has different aspects, but they all serve the one purpose of announcing and realizing God's reign. Changing social institutions is simply one important part of the struggle for justice (a less-important part than new persons and new social relations) and hence of the church's mission, which includes all the "material and spiritual works of mercy" and the devotional life. Ministry of the Word, sacramental life, prayer and worship are all necessary to nourish and celebrate the historical-transcendent process whereby God fashions new persons in new social relations. The ministers and official representatives of the church community, who exercise a prophetic ministry of Word and sacrament, ought to function, as Herbert McCabe once put it, as chaplains to God's revolution.
A credible and faithful ministry of the Word, grounded in deeds, requires denouncing specific injustice and announcing hope in particular situations. A church which practices this will reap a rich harvest of persecution and martyrdom—the seeds of future growth, not only of the church, but, more importantly, of that reign of God which-as the Preface for Christ the King says—is "a reign of truth and life, a reign of holiness and grace, a reign of justice, love, and peace."

- pg 155

[Mary-Ellen Hebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deâne Brackley writes what he has lived, believed and experienced with such heartfelt conviction as to resonate with such truth that one is compelled to re-examine what it means in a world filled with poor and suffering people to be a follower of Christ.