The Blackwell Companion to Catholicism

The Blackwell Companion to Catholicism offers an extensive survey of the history, doctrine, practices, and global circumstances of Roman Catholicism, written by a range of distinguished and experienced Catholic writers. The essays are addressed to all those who wish to broaden and deepen their knowledge of Catholic life and thought. The Companion is divided into four accessible parts: Catholic Histories includes essays on major eras of the Catholic story, from Scriptures and the early Church through the Middle Ages and Reformation to Modernity and Post–Modernity Catholic Cultures describes Catholics in different lands – the Holy Land and India and Africa, Europe and the British Isles and Ireland, Latin America and North America, Asia and Oceania Catholic Doctrines has essays on central topics in the practice of Catholic theology and development of doctrine – God and Jesus Christ, creation and Church and Mary, sacraments and moral theology, and eschatology Catholic Practices surveys some of the central Catholic practices: spirituality and ecumenism, inter–religious dialog and Catholic institutions (schools, hospitals, and charitable organizations), art and the natural sciences, the Holy See. The result is a comprehensive and illuminating reference work, spanning the diversity and capturing the resonances of Roman Catholic life and thought.

Notes on Contributors. Introduction ( James J. Buckley, Frederick Christian Bauerschmidt, and Trent Pomplun ). Part I Catholic Histories. 1 The Old Testament ( Claire Mathews McGinnis ). 2 The New Testament ( Luke Timothy Johnson ). 3 The Early Church ( Angela Russell Christman ). 4 The Middle Ages ( Frederick Christian Bauerschmidt ). 5 The Reformation ( Carlos M.N. Eire ). 6 Modernity and Post– Modernity ( Peter J. Casarella ). Part II Catholic Cultures. 7 The Holy Land ( David B. Burrell ). 8 India ( Charles J. Borges ). 9 Africa ( Emmanuel Katongole ). 10 Europe ( Emmanuel Perrier ). 11 Great Britain and Ireland ( Fergus Kerr and D. Vincent Twomey ). 12 Latin America ( Angel F. Méndez Montoya ). 13 North America ( Sandra Yocum Mize ). 14 Asia ( Peter C. Phan ). 15 Oceania ( Tracey Rowland ). Part III Catholic Doctrines. 16 The Practice of Catholic Theology ( Joseph A. DiNoia ). 17 The Development of Doctrine ( John E. Thiel ). 18 God ( Robert Barron ). 19 Creation and Anthropology ( Mary Aquin O′Neill ). 20 Jesus Christ ( Edward T. Oakes ). 21 Mary ( Trent Pomplun ). 22 Church ( Avery Cardinal Dulles ). 23 The Liturgy and Sacraments ( Susan. K. Wood ). 24 Moral Theology ( David Matzko McCarthy ). 25 The End ( James J. Buckley ). Part IV Catholic Practices. 26 Spirituality ( Wendy M. Wright ). 27 Institutions ( John A. Coleman ). 28 The Holy See ( Francis A. Sullivan ). 29 Ecumenism ( Michael Root ). 30 Inter– Religious Dialog ( Gavin D′Costa ). 31 Art and Literature ( Patrick Sherry ). 32 Science and Theology ( Michael Heller ). 33 Justice and Peace ( Kelly Johnson ). Index.

James J. Buckley is Professor of Theology and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Loyola College in Maryland. He has published Seeking the Humanity of God: Practices, Doctrines, and Catholic Theology (1992), is an associate editor of the journals Modern Theology and Pro Ecclesia and has co–edited (with L. Gregory Jones) the Blackwell Readings in Modern Theology series. Frederick Christian Bauerschmidt is Associate Professor of Theology at Loyola College in Maryland. He is the author of Julian of Norwich and the Mystical Body Politic of Christ (1999) and Why the Mystics Matter (2003). He is also co–editor of Aquinas in Dialogue (Blackwell, 2004). Trent Pomplun is an Assistant Professor of Theology at Loyola College in Maryland. A frequent contributor to Pro Ecclesia , Nova et Vetera , and Modern Theology , he writes about late medieval and early modern Catholicism, with special interests in scholasticism, positive theology, and inter–religious dialog.

A Choice Outstanding Academic Title for 2007 “This contribution to the Blackwell Companions in Religion series is an excellent addition. It is not intended as a tool to answer general questions about the Catholic church but will find a home on many academic and priestly shelves. It should also be found on the shelves of any library attempting to cover theology and religion, especially those in non–Roman Catholic traditions seeking to provide a comprehensive and competent resource for those carrying out serious research for either personal or academic purposes.” Reference Reviews <!––end––> "The editors have assembled veterans of the study of Catholicism from institutions worldwide to provide probably the best single–volume introduction to the subject currently available. Thirty–three topics are split among four sections: histories, cultures, doctrines, and practices. Necessarily the contributors have had to be very selective in covering their respective areas, but readers will come away knowing a great deal about the church, its history, and life. The writing is exceptionally clear and blessedly error–free ... Essential." CHOICE “The Companion aims for, and achieves, comprehensiveness: it is rare to find in one place so many snapshots of that vast, bordered but messily unfenced world we call Catholicism … learned, succinct and engaging.” The Way "This is a very useful collection for those who wish to broaden and deepen their understanding of Catholioism." Expository Times