Notable Books – CENTRE of THEOLOGY and PHILOSOPHY

Finitude’s Wounded Praise: Responses to Jean-Louis Chrétien

Adam Morton — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 11:44:03 +0000

Now available in the Veritas series from Cascade Books, Finitude’s Wounded Praise: Responses to Jean-Louis Chrétien, edited by Philip John Paul Gonzales and Joseph Micah McMeans.

The late Jean-Louis Chrétien’s responsorial and polyphonic style of thinking is nothing less than a performance of gratitude, which manifests the many ways and manners that our wounded finitude is graced and blessed along the peregrine path of human existence. Finitude’s Wounded Praise: Responses to Jean-Louis Chrétien is a receptive celebratory response to the immense fecundity and potential of Chrétien’s “thank you” of gratitude. This volume gathers leading Chrétien scholars and thinkers to explicate, explore, think with, and commemorate his thought. The essays in the volume engage Chrétien’s work from three primary fields: phenomenological, literary/poetic, and theological. Finitude’s Wounded Praise is a diverse, exploratory, and impressive testament to the expansive and enduring richness of Chrétien’s oeuvre.

“Jean-Louis Chrétien is a uniquely important Catholic philosopher whose work is a profound response to the giftedness of the world. This collection of essays leads us into the great fecundity of Chrétien’s Christian phenomenology and poetry—an outstanding and original set of meditations on a philosopher of prayer, gratitude, and contemplation.”
—Simon Oliver, professor of divinity, Durham University

“The voice of Jean-Louis Chrétien resounds unceasingly and still awaits its response. Finitude’s Wounded Praise pays homage to the man who left us too soon and whose work remains at once phenomenological, poetic, and literary, as well as theological. There is a particular way of thinking and speaking in line with Chrétien. Each contribution included here bears witness to it, with the word ‘gratitude’ as the right attitude and key to the understanding.”
—Emmanuel Falque, honorary dean, Catholic University of Paris

“I have always respected Jean-Louis Chrétien as a man and scholar. Later, I could admire the philosopher and poet. Recently, I noticed that he had said many things I too have tried to say, though he had said them earlier and better. This book is a fitting tribute to his memory and a testimony to his presence.”
—Jean-Yves Lacoste, life member, Clare Hall

Book Details

Dr. Alexei Bodrov Festschrift: Theology of Freedom: Religious and Anthropological Foundations of Freedom in a Global Context

Adam Morton — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 18:42:28 +0000

Now available, a Festschrift Honouring the 60th Birthday of Dr. Alexei BodrovIrina Yazykova: Theology of Freedom. Religious and Anthropological Foundations of Freedom in a Global Context, edited by Irina Yazykova.

The problem of freedom has been a central theme of Christian theology from the very beginning. The interrelation of internal (e.g. freedom from sin, Jn 8:31-36) and external freedom, often neglected by the church; liberation theology emphasising social sin; freedom of God and man; the ontology of freedom: these and other questions continue to concern many theologians, philosophers, and thinkers. This book contains articles by leading contemporary authors – Jürgen Moltmann, Gerald O’Collins, George Pattison, Innokenty Pavlov, Ivana Noble, Conor Cunningham, Svetlana Konacheva, and others – who reflect on the philosophical and theological foundations of freedom, dignity and human rights, historical and contemporary aspects of the theology of freedom in a global context. This book is a Festschrift honouring the 60th birthday of Dr. Alexei Bodrov, founder and rector of St. Andrew’s Biblical Theological Institute. All authors sent their articles specifically for this volume.

Table of contents

Philosophical-Theological Foundations

Jürgen Moltmann, Dimensions of Human Freedom in the Presence of God
Gerald O’Collins, The Freedom of Easter Faith
Paul S. Fiddes, Creation in Freedom and Love
Ivana Noble, Transfiguration and Freedom in the Theology of Light
Светлана Коначева, Само-бытие, небытие и свобода: онтология свободы Пауля Тиллиха и постмодерная теология
George Pattison, Existential Freedom: Sartre or Berdyaev?
Conor Cunningham, HOMO EX MACHINA: The Nightmare Dreams
Michael Kirwan, Ecclesiastical Action: Bernd Alois Zimmermann’s Last Words on Evil and Freedom
Олег Давыдов, Благо и выбор: что первично?
Pavlo Smytsnyuk, Theology of Freedom: Can a Frightened Church Heal a Frightened World?
Romilo Knežević, Outside of God: A Theanthropic Scrutiny of Nietzsche’s Concept of Chaos and Berdyaev’s Notion of the Ungrund
Франсуа Эве, Богословие свободы
Frederick Lauritzen, The Byzantine Ontology of Freedom from Plotinus (6,8) to Maximus the Confessor (Opusculum 7)
Giandomenico Boffi, Divine Creation and Freedom of Mathematical Models
Александр Закуренко, Свобода и точка

Ecumenical and Global Issues

Dagmar Heller, Baptism and Reconciliation
Massimo Faggioli, The Sex Abuse Crisis in the Catholic Church and the Global Context of Challenges to Religious Freedom
David A. Hoekema, What Does Freedom Mean in the Ethics of Development?
Dietrich Werner, Freedom for Diaconia – Social Witness and Christian Care in Church History and in the Ecumenical Movement – Potentials for a German-Russian Diaconia Learning and Exchange Process
Christian Krieger, Religion Engaging with Liberalism
Adalberto Mainardi, The Riddle of Freedom. The Task of Theology in a Postmodern Context

Human Dignity and Rights

Стефано Каприо, Свобода и потребность в истине у Августина и Фомы
Aristotle Papanikolaou, The Unfreedom of War and the Freedom of Virtue
Hans Thoolen, Human Rights a Basis for a Peaceful Coexistence of Religions?
Елена Степанова, Богословие свободы Льва Толстого
Hans Ulrich Gerber, Freedom, Justice and Faith. Impulses from Three Francophone, Thinkers over Three Centuries
Edward J. Mahoney, Radical Freedom. Saint Paul and the Modern Autonomous Subject
Антон Тихомиров, Сложность, слабость, свобода. Политическая проповедь: основные принципы и их применение в российском контексте
Antoine Fleyfel, Christians of the Middle East and Liberalism
Hugh Wybrew, Christ Has Set Us Free
Антуан Аржаковский, Необходима реформа православного богословия
Augustinos Bairachtaris, Jesus as Liberator: Towards the Spiritual Modification of the Church in Latin America

Past and Present

Edward Kessler, Religion and the Nation State: Standing at the Crossroads
Вячеслав Океанский, Жанна Океанская, «Il dit de l’Eglise est tres liberal…»: экклезиологический космизм А.С.Хомякова
Иннокентий Павлов, «Свидетельство Флавия» об Иисусе. Опыт историко-критического рассмотрения
Ирина Языкова, Свобода и канон в иконе: есть ли противоречие

Full table of contents also available here.

In order to purchase, please write directly to Vladimyr Andreev here: bookman.andreev@gmail.com.

Theological Anthropology in Interreligious Perspective

Adam Morton — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 18:37:59 +0000

What defines ‘humanity’ is a seemingly innocuous question and yet one which continues to attract controversy. Directed by this inquiry and bringing together theological insight in conversation with academic interreligious discourse, the present edited volume offers a unique contribution towards articulating the complex and myriad ways in which human life has been conceived and related to the greater vista of reality. Framed around Muslim-Christian theological dialogue, the volume results from a meeting of prominent international scholars, whose contributions investigate the origins of life through to death and beyond. Informed by classical and contemporary theological questions and interests, the volume offers scholarship in the humanities and sciences important insights into debates pertaining to human beings, their nature, future, and purposes.

Tim Winter: Introduction

Part I: Created in the Image: Human Wholeness
Christoph Schwöbel: ‘Theology … defines the whole and complete and perfect human being.’ Being Human in the Dispute between Theology and Philosophy: Variations on a Christian, Muslim and Jewish Theme – Recep Şentürk: Multiplex Human Ontology and Multiplex Self: An Alternative Understanding of Human Behaviour

Part II: Death and Human Becoming
Ivana Noble: Created to Be and to Become Human: A Christian Perspective – Lejla Demiri: ‘He Who has created death and life’ (Q 67:2): Death in Islamic Theology and Spirituality

Part III: Belief and Devotion
Ruggero Vimercati Sanseverino: ‘The Prophet is closer to the believers than they are to themselves’ (Q 33:6): A Scriptural Inquiry into the Anthropological Foundation of the Ittibā ʿ al-Nabī (Sequela Prophetae) – Amina Nawaz: Mutual Influences of Christian and Muslim Anthropologies in History: A Case Study of Sixteenth-Century Morisco Devotions

Part IV: The Child in Human Becoming
Friedrich Schweitzer: The Anthropology of the Child: Opportunities and Challenges for a Neglected Topic in Christian-Muslim Dialogue – Mujadad Zaman: Children in the Medieval Islamic Imagination: A Path Towards Pedagogic Dialogue

Part V: Dignity and Sinfulness
Daniel A. Madigan SJ: ‘These people have no grasp of God’s true measure’ (Q 39:67): Does the Doctrine of Original Sin do Justice to God and to Humanity? – Ralf K. Wüstenberg: The ‘Fall’ of Mankind: Structural Parallels between the Narratives of Sin in Christianity and Islam

Part VI: Limits to Being, Limits to Naming God
Simone Dario Nardella: God, Man, Being: ʿAbd al-Ghanī al-Nābulusī’s Explanation of the Intellect’s Capacity to Know God in al-Wujūd al-Ḥaqq – Paul-A. Hardy: On Naming and Silencing – Conor Cunningham: Thomas Aquinas’ Anthropology: Stuck in the Middle with You

Part VII: Futures
Michael Kirwan SJ/Ahmad Achtar: ‘The wound where light enters’: A ‘Common Word’ for Being Human in Islam and Christianity

Now available: The Great Divide and the Salvation Paradox, by David P. Griffith

Adam Morton — Tue, 03 May 2022 18:03:28 +0000

Now available from Pickwick Publications (Wipf & Stock): The Great Divide and the Salvation Paradox, by David P. Griffith (April 2022; 350pp+).

[Purchase: Pickwick Publications | Amazon]

Description:

The church in its first centuries split on whether Christ saved everyone or a few, Universalism versus Exclusivism. In the sixth century, the church settled the issue seemingly and held that Universalism was heresy. This book reviews this history as well as what provoked it–Scripture, on its face, gives two contradictory accounts of salvation’s extent: everyonea is ultimately saved and everyone is not. In contrast to both Exclusivism and Universalism, the book takes Scripture’s two accounts of salvation’s extent as true–that is, as a paradox. This is the approach the church has taken with other scriptural paradoxes. Saying one God is three, or one Son is both God and man, appeared to be contradictory too, but, to embrace Scripture entirely, these were seen as paradoxical. The Trinity modeled how one can be three, and the hypostatic union modeled how one can be two. For the paradox of salvation’s extent, the answer lies in the individual’s divisibility in the afterlife, one can be two. That is, in ultimate salvation, each individual can be both saved and unsaved.

Praise for The Great Divide and the Salvation Paradox:

“This subtle, learned, and intriguing analysis not only invites us to ponder anew some of the ultimate mysteries of the Christian revelation, but to see how the concept of paradox can encompass a wide range of apparently contradictory scriptural truths in order to underscore God’s gracious salvation in Christ. Those who follow David Griffith’s reasoning in this highly accomplished study will be enlightened and enrichened.” — D. Densil Morgan, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Lampeter, emeritus

“Griffith’s innovative take on the Christian paradox of exclusive or universal salvation is to find the paradox applied to every individual. A person’s eternal life and character are divisible and thus subject to both divine acceptance and judgment. This is a fascinating exercise in constructive theology and in defining a person in relationship to the eternal God.” — J. Andrew Dearman, Fuller Theological Seminary

“‘Who then can be saved?’ The question reverberates through Christian history from New Testament times. Taking Scripture seriously and employing a whole host of ancient as well as modern sources, David Griffith offers a fresh and original approach to the Bible’s apparent advocacy of both a universal and an exclusive salvation. Erudite, stimulating, and lucid, the discussion is both constructive and provocative. Careful reading will yield insights into theological anthropology as well as Christian soteriology.” —Robert Pope, Westminster College, Cambridge

“This is a novel book with a fascinating argument. As Griffith indicates, the stalemate in Christianity between universal and limited salvation seems to be an intractable issue without resolution. However, Griffith has provided an original way forward that deserves recognition and careful consideration. A timely piece and a tour de force.” — Michael Burdett, University of Nottingham

[Purchase: Pickwick Publications | Amazon]

Dr. Alexei Bodrov Festschrift: Theology of Freedom: Religious and Anthropological Foundations of Freedom in a Global Context

Adam Morton — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 21:15:58 +0000

Table of contents

Philosophical-Theological Foundations

Jürgen Moltmann, Dimensions of Human Freedom in the Presence of God
Gerald O’Collins, The Freedom of Easter Faith
Paul S. Fiddes, Creation in Freedom and Love
Ivana Noble, Transfiguration and Freedom in the Theology of Light
Светлана Коначева, Само-бытие, небытие и свобода: онтология свободы Пауля Тиллиха и постмодерная теология
George Pattison, Existential Freedom: Sartre or Berdyaev?
Conor Cunningham, HOMO EX MACHINA: The Nightmare Dreams
Michael Kirwan, Ecclesiastical Action: Bernd Alois Zimmermann’s Last Words on Evil and Freedom
Олег Давыдов, Благо и выбор: что первично?
Pavlo Smytsnyuk, Theology of Freedom: Can a Frightened Church Heal a Frightened World?
Romilo Knežević, Outside of God: A Theanthropic Scrutiny of Nietzsche’s Concept of Chaos and Berdyaev’s Notion of the Ungrund
Франсуа Эве, Богословие свободы
Frederick Lauritzen, The Byzantine Ontology of Freedom from Plotinus (6,8) to Maximus the Confessor (Opusculum 7)
Giandomenico Boffi, Divine Creation and Freedom of Mathematical Models
Александр Закуренко, Свобода и точка

Ecumenical and Global Issues

Dagmar Heller, Baptism and Reconciliation
Massimo Faggioli, The Sex Abuse Crisis in the Catholic Church and the Global Context of Challenges to Religious Freedom
David A. Hoekema, What Does Freedom Mean in the Ethics of Development?
Dietrich Werner, Freedom for Diaconia – Social Witness and Christian Care in Church History and in the Ecumenical Movement – Potentials for a German-Russian Diaconia Learning and Exchange Process
Christian Krieger, Religion Engaging with Liberalism
Adalberto Mainardi, The Riddle of Freedom. The Task of Theology in a Postmodern Context

Human Dignity and Rights

Стефано Каприо, Свобода и потребность в истине у Августина и Фомы
Aristotle Papanikolaou, The Unfreedom of War and the Freedom of Virtue
Hans Thoolen, Human Rights a Basis for a Peaceful Coexistence of Religions?
Елена Степанова, Богословие свободы Льва Толстого
Hans Ulrich Gerber, Freedom, Justice and Faith. Impulses from Three Francophone, Thinkers over Three Centuries
Edward J. Mahoney, Radical Freedom. Saint Paul and the Modern Autonomous Subject
Антон Тихомиров, Сложность, слабость, свобода. Политическая проповедь: основные принципы и их применение в российском контексте
Antoine Fleyfel, Christians of the Middle East and Liberalism
Hugh Wybrew, Christ Has Set Us Free
Антуан Аржаковский, Необходима реформа православного богословия
Augustinos Bairachtaris, Jesus as Liberator: Towards the Spiritual Modification of the Church in Latin America

Past and Present

Edward Kessler, Religion and the Nation State: Standing at the Crossroads
Вячеслав Океанский, Жанна Океанская, «Il dit de l’Eglise est tres liberal…»: экклезиологический космизм А.С.Хомякова
Иннокентий Павлов, «Свидетельство Флавия» об Иисусе. Опыт историко-критического рассмотрения
Ирина Языкова, Свобода и канон в иконе: есть ли противоречие

Full table of contents also available here.

In order to purchase, please write directly to Vladimyr Andreev here: bookman.andreev@gmail.com.

New from Angelico Press: The Meaning of Idealism, by Pavel Florensky

Adam Morton — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 20:49:23 +0000

Newly available from Angelico Press, The Meaning of Idealism: The Metaphysics of Genus and Countenance, by Pavel Florensky, translated by Boris Jakim (September 18, 2020; 108 pp+).

Purchase: Angelico Press

Book description:

Pavel Florensky’s treatment of Platonism in the present work is one of the most important studies on this subject ever written. The great scholar of antiquity, Aleksei Losev, called The Meaning of Idealism the most profound work on Platonism and Idealism produced in the 20th century. It is a journey: from Plato and Aristotle to Neoplatonism, from Neoplatonism to Medieval theories of being and knowing, from these theories to Orthodox spirituality, from Orthodox spirituality to Vedic mysticism, from Vedic mysticism to astrology, from astrology to modern science—including relativity, the mathematical theory of invariants, and the multidimensional universe. In the course of this journey Florensky corroborates his theories with etymological discussions and analyses of modern art, including the works of Rodin and Picasso.

Arguably the greatest Russian theologian of the early 20th century, PAVEL FLORENSKY (1882–1937) also did original work in such fields as liturgical aesthetics, iconographic theory, the philosophy of names, theoretical mathematics, and even electrical engineering. He became a Russian Orthodox priest in 1911, while remaining deeply involved with the cultural, artistic, and scientific developments of his time. Arrested by the Soviets in 1928, he returned to his scholarly activities until 1933, when he was sentenced to ten years of labor in Siberia. There he continued his scientific work and ministered to his fellow prisoners until his death four years later.

Purchase: Angelico Press

Download promotional flyer here.

Books by Professor Tom McLeish

Adam Morton — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 17:18:44 +0000

By Professor Tom McLeish: The Poetry and Music of Science: Comparing Creativity in Science and Art (Oxford University Press; May 2019; 384pp).

Purchase: OUP | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

Book description:

What human qualities are needed to make scientific discoveries, and which to make great art? Many would point to ‘imagination’ and ‘creativity’ in the second case but not the first. This book challenges the assumption that doing science is in any sense less creative than art, music or fictional writing and poetry, and treads a historical and contemporary path through common territories of the creative process.

Hearing the stories that scientists and artists tell about their projects reveals commonalities: the desire for a goal, the experience of frustration and failure, the incubation of the problem, moments of sudden insight, and the experience of the beautiful or sublime.

Themes weaving the practice of science and art together include: visual thinking and metaphor, the transcendence of music and mathematics, the contemporary rise of the English novel and experimental science, and the role of aesthetics and desire in the creative process.

Reviews:

“[McLeish] proves himself [an] extreme interdisciplinarian … Thanks to its poetic nature and compelling signposts for discussion, I suspect McLeish’s book would have aphrodisiac qualities for the right audience… No matter what your field, you will come away from the book sold, as I am, on the need to prioritise time for creative gestation.” (Rivka Isaacson, Times Higher Edcuation Supplement)

“McLeish takes his reader on a journey through classical, medieval, romantic and modern art and science, exploring similarities in the creative processes that drove the greatest painters, writers and scientists towards their accomplishments… There are a number of vivid descriptions of seminal pieces of physics that showcase McLeish’s talent for communicating science… interwoven with equally lavish introductions of many works of art and personal experiences of artists.” (David Abergel, Nature Physics)

“McLeish chases the echoes between scientific and artistic creativity in this intriguing scholarly treatise.” (Nature)

“McLeish moves the discussion of science and religion on rather profoundly. Enough has been written about how theology might relate to science in general, abstractly conceived. Far better to think theologically about particular scientific examples, set out with a historical and human back story. That is exactly what we have here.” (Andrew Davison, Church Times)

“Poetry and science are both rooted in the imagination … At first sight I could not see the connection. But then I made the mistake of allowing myself to think about it. McLeish’s … theme is laid out very thoroughly. Give yourself a couple of quiet days to master it.” (Quentin de la Bedoyere, Catholic Herald)

“In this brilliant, lyrical and encyclopaedic study of the roots of creativity … [McLeish] challenges the two cultures thesis […] by showing how imaginative processes are just as essential and indeed seminal in the sciences as in the arts.” (David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer)

“This kind of book is rarer than it should be, and all the more valuable. It dares to take seriously and probe deeply the interplay of the arts and the sciences. In place of the tired notion of Two Cultures, Tom McLeish reveals – passionately, and with great scholarship – the many meaningful points of contact between the sciences and music, literature and visual art. May this start a new and rich conversation!” (Philip Ball, Science Writer)

“Where do creative ideas come from? There is an answer, and it is the same in art as in science. There is a hidden wellspring inside the human mind from which they arise continuously. Tom McLeish provides meticulous evidence by interrogating the greatest minds. The result is a brilliant kaleidoscopic view of the history of imagination.” (Uta Frith FBA FRS, UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience)

“Anyone who believes that imagination, inspiration and creativity are the preserve of the arts should read this beautifully crafted ode to the enterprise of scientific discovery.” (Jim Al-Khalili OBE FRS, Professor of Theoretical Physics, University of Surrey)

Also by Tom McLeish:

Faith and Wisdom in Science (Oxford University Press, 19 May 2014; 302pp+).

Purchase: OUP | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

Book description:

“Can you Count the Clouds?” asks the voice of God from the whirlwind in the stunningly beautiful catalogue of nature-questions from the Old Testament Book of Job. Tom McLeish takes a scientist’s reading of this ancient text as a centrepiece to make the case for science as a deeply human and ancient activity, embedded in some of the oldest stories told about human desire to understand the natural world. Drawing on stories from the modern science of chaos and uncertainty alongside medieval, patristic, classical and Biblical sources, NYGoodHealth Faith and Wisdom in Science challenges much of the current ‘science and religion’ debate as operating with the wrong assumptions and in the wrong space. Its narrative approach develops a natural critique of the cultural separation of sciences and humanities, suggesting an approach to science, or in its more ancient form natural philosophy – the ‘love of wisdom of natural things’ – that can draw on theological and cultural roots. Following the theme of pain in human confrontation with nature, it develops a ‘Theology of Science’, recognising that both scientific and theological worldviews must be ‘of’ each other, not holding separate domains. Science finds its place within an old story of participative reconciliation with a nature, of which we start ignorant and fearful, but learn to perceive and work with in wisdom. Surprisingly, science becomes a deeply religious activity. There are urgent lessons for education, the political process of decision-making on science and technology, our relationship with the global environment, and the way that both religious and secular communities alike celebrate and govern science.

Reviews:

“This fine book differs radically from the numerous other works that tackle the frequently baffling debate between science and religion … McLeish’s masterly summary and exegesis is a delight, providing an incisive commentary on this beautiful but neglected Scripture … The book will be welcomed by readers already familiar with the science-religion debates; but it is especially recommended for those still to engage in this crucial area.” (Peter Clough, The Reader CE Magazine)

“Rich and discursive … it has a lot to offer.” (The Guardian)

“McLeish’s desire for science to be re-assimilated into the interconnected whole of human activity is clear. Only from such a position will our work as scientists be understood and truly appreciated.” (Physics World)

“A densely argued and erudite book.” (Network Review)

“This is the best book I have read all year, and the best I would expect to read for a long time to come. It is a superbly crafted exploration of the relationship between science and faith … The book flows smoothly from one difficult topic to another, erudite but not showy, scholarly but not dense, bold but not brash.” (Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith)

“Tom McLeish’s engaging passion for science is matched by his unique ability to help the reader locate science in a complex and enriching relationship with ancient texts and stories, contemporary culture and the big questions of human existence.” (David Wilkinson, Durham University)

“Writing as a distinguished physical scientist and committed Christian, he injects new life into an old debate by advancing a “theology of science”, which gives to scientific endeavour a special significance in the larger narrative of humanity’s experience of pain and hopes for the healing of a broken world. There is verve and vision in his writing, as moving as it is instructive.” (John Hedley Brooke)

“It is refreshing and remarkable that a distinguished scientist has written such an eloquent and wide-ranging book.” (Sir Martin Rees)

Soon available from Oxford University Press, Soft Matter: A Very Short Introduction, by Tom McLeish (22 October 2020; 176pp). It is currently available for pre-order both via OUP and Amazon.

Purchase: OUP | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

Book description:

Soft Matter science is concerned with soft materials such as polymers, colloids, liquid crystals, and foams, and has emerged as a rich interdisciplinary field over the last 30 years. Drawing on physics, chemistry, mathematics and engineering, soft matter links fundamental scientific ideas to everyday phenomena.

This Very Short Introduction delves into the field of soft matter, looking beneath the appearances of matter into its inner structure. Tom McLeish shows how Brownian Motion – the random local motion of molecules that gives rise to ‘heat’ – is an underlying principle of soft matter. From hair conditioner to honey, he discusses how the shared physical properties and characteristics of these materials influence the way they behave, and their industrial applications.

Tom McLeish, FRS is Professor of Natural Philosophy at the University of York. His research has contributed to the new fields of ‘soft matter physics’ and ‘biological physics’, working with chemists, engineers, and biologists to connect molecular structure with emergent properties. His research interests also include the framing of science, society, and science policy, and is the author of Faith and Wisdom in Science (OUP, 2014). He was Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at Durham University from 2008-2014, and is both the current chair of the Royal Society’s Education Committee and a trustee of the John Templeton Foundation. He was the first winner of the Institute of Physics Edwards Prize (2017) for his work on soft matter.

Now available: Can We Believe in People? by Stephen R. L. Clark

Adam Morton — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:56:39 +0000

Now available from Angelico Press: Can We Believe in People? Human Significance in an Interconnected Cosmos by Stephen R. L. Clark, with a foreword by Catherine Pickstock.

[Purchase: Paperback | Cloth]

Description:

The view that humanity is “in the image and likeness of God” has influenced the past two millennia of European history, and retains its significance despite the apparent decline of theism as a major social factor. Human beings are understood to be in some way “special,” deserving of “respect,” capable of understanding (even remaking) the universe. The aim of the author—drawing on a wide range of resources ancient and modern—is to clearly delineate this view: its apparent justifications, its implications, and what can and should be said to challenge it. Can We Believe in People? preserves a strong account of human reason and human dignity while yet fully acknowledging the claims of other terrestrial and extraterrestrial life.

Praise for Can We Believe in People?

“In this culmination of a lifetime’s philosophical investigations, Stephen Clark insists that far from dangling above a limitless existentialist abyss, we are invited to join the dance of a participatory creation. He delineates a world that may lie at the very edges of our imaginations, one that depends on a holy interdependence grounded on the bedrock of immutable moral realities.” — SIMON CONWAY MORRIS, Emeritus Professor of Evolutionary Palaeobiology, University of Cambridge

“At once classical and original, reflective and constructive, this book is philosophy of the most morally illuminating kind: a vision of the spiritual community of all living things and of the participation of all life in the dignity and glory of spirit.” — DAVID BENTLEY HART, author of That All Shall Be Saved and The Experience of God

“Those who have come to admire and appreciate a lifetime of Stephen Clark’s literary as well as philosophical skills will not be disappointed with this marvelous and timely book, which differs from his prior works in more directly interrogating theological and religious ideas on what it means to be human.” — CELIA DEANE-DRUMMOND, Director of the Center for Theology, Science and Human Flourishing, Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame

“This book offers a nuanced treatment of human dignity, but without anthropocentric excess. Stephen Clark deftly denies the reality of species boundaries as well as the idea that human beings are indefinitely malleable.” — DANIEL A. DOMBROWSKI, Professor of Philosophy, Seattle University; author of Not Even a Sparrow Falls: The Philosophy of Stephen R.L. Clark

“In this visionary, provocative work, Platonism and the three Abrahamic religions come into conversation with mathematics, evolutionary biology, and even thought experiments of science fiction. Stephen Clark invites his readers to rethink the dignity of the human being in a much closer, yet also transcendent, relationship of love with all things existing.” — GRETCHEN REYDAMS-SCHILS, Professor in the Program of Liberal Studies, University of Notre Dame

“Stephen Clark writes with clarity and erudition on the philosophy of human nature, the nature of mind, values, our relationship to non-human animals and the divine. Recommended to all who are looking for a rich, stimulating, mature work in philosophy, understood as the love of wisdom.” — CHARLES TALIAFERRO, Professor of Philosophy, St. Olaf College

“There is no more basic issue than that of the nature of human beings and their place in the scheme of things. This scholarly book grips our attention with incisive arguments about matters that concern us all.” — ROGER TRIGG, Senior Research Fellow, Ian Ramsey Centre, University of Oxford

[Purchase: Paperback | Cloth]

New from William C. Hackett: Philosophy in Word & Name

Adam Morton — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 18:23:53 +0000

Now available from Angelico Press: Philosophy in Word & Name: Myth, Wisdom, Apocalypse, by William C. Hackett.

[Purchase: Paperback | Cloth]

Description:

MYTH. WISDOM. APOCALYPSE. Three words of ancient pedigree offering the seeker a promise: to unlock the door of understanding to the highest and best things—the divine things. Three keys, then, for a “Philosophy in Word and Name” that wants, simply, to comprehend whatever makes the meaning of our humanity take on its fullest scope and significance. This text intends to be no more than a “sketchbook” for such a philosophy. Its six Studies include two dedicated to each key, engaging with words and names ancient and modern, eastern and western, and with an approach casting back into traditional intellectual practices long strictured in the modern west. Above all, the defining feature of the modern intelligence—the asphyxiating alienation of philosophy and theology from one another, and both from the mystical—is weighed and found wanting. A turn to modes of thought and styles of writing for which religion is not foreign ground is required if we are to have any chance of fidelity to these things themselves; and should this draw us closer to “premodern,” or even “eastern,” modalities, must we not remain open to these as well?

Praise for Philosophy in Word and Name:

“This singular book is plurivocal in a challenging and intellectually invigorating way. It allows the voices of myth, philosophy, and theology to sound together and indeed to sing in a kind of companioning togetherness. Warmly recommended.” — WILLIAM DESMOND, Villanova University

“In a multi-faceted series of studies in diverse styles, William Hackett opens to us a vista on the state of Christian thought today. Here is our contemporary Kierkegaard: probing old ideas, launching new ones, prodding us to be ever more vigilant, not only in our thinking about religion but in our practice of it.” — KEVIN HART, University of Virginia

“This philosophical prophecy against today’s all-too-human kingdoms of so-called knowledge culminates in prayerful obedience to divine truth, an apocalypse masterfully and poetically sketched out in these pages.” — FR. BONAVENTURE CHAPMAN, OP, Dominican House of Studies, Washington DC

“This remarkable first book of William Hackett sounds forth with newness, confidence, and truth, and is sure to establish him as one of the most original and energetic voices of contemporary Catholic thought. A must read.” — AARON RICHES, Benedictine College

“Rarely does a genuinely groundbreaking book come along. Even more rare is a book that accomplishes this in the realm of philosophy and religion. This is that book: an intellectual and mystical masterpiece that makes believable a truly universal speculative thinking about ultimate meaning in our own day.” — CONOR SWEENEY, author of Abiding the Long Defeat

“William Chris Hackett leads us on a vast journey rich with reflections on ‘revelation at the end of time’ as the possibility for present humanity to accelerate what it cannot ignore.” — EMMANUEL FALQUE, Institut catholique de Paris

“Hackett has read deeply and broadly and has something to say only he can say. Read his book.” — JEAN-YVES LACOSTE, Clare Hall, Cambridge

[Purchase: Paperback | Cloth]

New edited volume from Cambridge University Press: Patents on Life

ericaustinlee — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 22:32:50 +0000

Patents on Life: Religious, Moral, and Social Justice Aspects of Biotechnology and Intellectual Property
New from Cambridge University Press

Edited by:
Thomas C. Berg (University of St Thomas, Minnesota)
Roman Cholij (St Edmund’s College, Cambridge)
Simon Ravenscroft (Magdalene College, Cambridge)

This volume brings together a unique collection of legal, religious, ethical, and political perspectives to bear on debates concerning biotechnology patents, or ‘patents on life’. The ever-increasing importance of biotechnologies has generated continual questions about how intellectual property law should treat such technologies, especially those raising ethical or social-justice concerns. Even after many years and court decisions, important contested issues remain concerning ownership of and rewards from biotechnology – from human genetic material to genetically engineered plants – and regarding the scope of moral or social-justice limitations on patents or licensing practices. This book explores a range of related issues, including questions concerning morality and patentability, biotechnology and human dignity, and what constitute fair rewards from genetic resources. It features high-level international, interfaith, and cross-disciplinary contributions from experts in law, religion, and ethics, including academics and practitioners, placing religious and secular perspectives into dialogue to examine the full implications of patenting life.

The book is the result of a four-year collaborative project between the Von Hügel Institute for Critical Catholic Inquiry at St Edmund’s College, Cambridge, and the Terrence J. Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought, Law, and Public Policy at the University of St Thomas, Minnesota.

Endorsements

“Patents on Life offers a rigorous and discerning consideration of issues at the intersection of biotechnology, ethics, and social justice. A much needed faith- centered contribution to the debate over ethical and moral norms at stake in the governance of biotech patents; it is a must read.” — Ruth Okediji, Jeremiah Smith, Jr., Professor of Law, Harvard Law School

“The contribution of this book is to bring hitherto neglected religious perspectives into the debates about the ethical issues raised by patents on life. The essays convincingly argue that patents on life require evaluation under criteria of morality and social justice and religious thought can contribute to such an analysis.” — Audrey Chapman, Healey Professor of Medical Ethics and Humanities, University of Connecticut School of Medicine

“This book is a comprehensive and fascinating conversation between an impressive line-up of scholars representing many different academic backgrounds, but also a number of faith communities, on the topic of intellectual property. As such it is an exceptional, thorough and informative study on the ethical challenges of biotechnological patents.” — Dr Calum MacKellar, Director of Research, Scottish Council on Human Bioethics

Institutional access to the full text is available via Cambridge Core. The print book will be available to buy shortly from the publisher in the UK here, and in the US here, as well as through other, usual booksellers.

The closing chapter is also available on the Social Sciences Research Network.

Notable: Kierkegaard’s Theological Sociology, by Paul Tyson

Adam Morton — Fri, 10 May 2019 14:29:14 +0000

Now available from Cascade Books, Kierkegaard’s Theological Sociology: Prophetic Fire for the Present Age, by Paul Tyson.

Purchase: Cascade | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Kierkegaard developed a distinctive type of sociology in the 1840s—a theological sociology. Looking at society through the lens of analysis categories such as worship, sin, and faith, Kierkegaard developed a profoundly insightful way of understanding how, for example, the modern mass media works. He gets right inside the urban world of Golden Age Denmark, and its religion, and analyses “the present age” of consumption, comfort, competition, distraction, and image-construction with astonishing depth. To Kierkegaard worship centers all individuals and all societies; hence his sociology is doxological. This book argues that we also live in the present age Kierkegaard described, and our way of life can be understood much better through Kierkegaard’s lens than through the methodologically materialist categories of classical sociology. As social theory itself has moved beyond classical sociology, the social sciences are increasingly open to post-methodologically-atheist approaches to understanding what it means to be human beings living in social contexts. The time is right to recover the theological resources of Christian faith in understanding the social world we live in. The time has come to pick up where Kierkegaard left off, and to start working towards a prophetic doxological sociology for our times.

Blurbs:

“Everyone supposedly knows that Kierkegaard was an ‘individualist’ who had little understanding or appreciation of society. This book completely undermines that myth by showing us how much Kierkegaard has to contribute to social theory. The author also thereby helps us see that theology cannot only learn from sociology but has much to contribute to social theory in turn.” — C. Stephen Evans, University Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, Baylor University

“Tyson’s book reveals Kierkegaard at his most prophetic in the senses of being both subversive—confronting how we have come to think of ourselves and society—and eerily prescient and timely. Tyson argues that Kierkegaard’s theological sociology arising in the tinderbox of 1840s can be seen as a basic alternative to Marx’s contemporary, deeply secular, and epoch-making understanding of society. As such it provides an alternate vision of society in the wake of Marx and secular modern understandings of human society.” — Christopher Ben Simpson, Lincoln Christian University, author of The Truth is the Way: Kierkegaard’s Theologia Viatorum

“Kierkegaard does not only analyze individuals. In this book, the author first shows that Kierkegaard also has a profound understanding of the modern, liberal society. Then he applies this insight on our contemporary challenges in a highly meaningful way. This book boldly and creatively addresses the relation between theology and sociology and explores how we are impacted by our cultural and religious environment.” — Knut Alfsvåg, VID Specialized University

Purchase: Cascade | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Signs in the Dust by Nathan Lyons

Adam Morton — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 09:00:04 +0000

Signs in the Dust

A Theory of Natural Culture and Cultural Nature

Nathan Lyons

Argues that the meaningful exchange of signs is not unique to humans and is present through all of nature
Counters the common understanding of nature and culture as completely separate
Draws from medieval philosophy, semiotics, biology, and modern evolutionary theory

Purchase: OUP.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

Nathan Lyons is a lecturer in philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, Australia. He previously held postdoctoral positions at Durham University and the University of Cambridge.

Alison Milbank, God & the Gothic, available for pre-order

Adam Morton — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 11:00:19 +0000

God & the Gothic

Religion, Romance and Reality in the English Literary Tradition

Alison Milbank

Offers an original reworking of Gothic fiction, which is usually read as a secularizing genre, as instead doing creative theological work
Takes the story right back to the Reformation, and locates tropes such as the usurper, fleeing heroine who uncovers mysteries, and the imprisoning castle to the Dissolution of the monasteries, the female martyrs, and the conflicted attitude to the Catholic past as tyranny to be escaped but also as something valuable lost
The Victorian period’s ghost stories are read as an intensification of a religious analysis, in the face of rampant materialism, itself the result of the loss of the sacramental and mediating spiritual practices in Protestantism
Later Gothic is concerned to re-enchant the material and reconnect natural and supernatural spheres

Purchase: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

Now available: The Flame Imperishable: Tolkien, St. Thomas, and the Metaphysics of Faerie

Adam Morton — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 17:36:00 +0000

Now available from Angelico Press: The Flame Imperishable: Tolkien, St. Thomas, and the Metaphysics of Faerie, by Jonathan S. McIntosh.

[Purchase: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk]

J. R. R. Tolkien was a profoundly metaphysical thinker, and one of the most formative influences on his imagination, according to this new study of his works, was the great thirteenth-century theologian, St. Thomas Aquinas. Structured around Tolkien’s Middle-earth creation myth, the Ainulindalë, The Flame Imperishable follows the thought of Aquinas as a guide in laying bare the deeper foundations of many of the more familiar themes from Tolkien’s legendarium, including sub-creation, free will, evil, and eucatastrophe. More than merely using Aquinas to illuminate Tolkien, however, this study concludes that, through its appropriation of many of the philosophical and theological insights of Aquinas, what Tolkien’s literary opus achieves is an important and unique landmark in the history of Thomism itself, offering an imaginative and powerful contemporary retrieval, interpretation, and application of Thomistic metaphysics for the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

Blurbs:

“McIntosh’s comprehension of Tolkien’s Legendarium is masterly; his appropriation of Aquinas is superb; his knowledge of the most important works in recent theology is staggering.” — RALPH C. WOOD

“In a tour de force for religious and non-religious readers alike, McIntosh illuminates Tolkien’s own metaphysical thought and how it pervades the entire fictive world of his legendarium.” — JASON FISHER

“Breathtakingly original, this book deserves to be a landmark. With a boldness supported closely by a wealth of reasoned argument, McIntosh highlights the singularity and magnitude of Tolkien’s achievement both as an artist and as a speculative thinker.” — MARK SEBANC

“In this exciting and lucidly written study, Jonathan McIntosh flings open a door that has remained all but sealed, bringing together the doctor of creation, Thomas Aquinas, with the artist of creation, J.R.R. Tolkien.” — CRAIG BERNTHAL

“This is a trustworthy guide to the radiant sense of being in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, which truly illuminates the realism of Tolkien’s project.” — ALISON MILBANK

“The Flame Imperishable is a most valuable addition to Tolkien scholarship.” — HOLLY ORDWAY

“This book is absolutely essential reading to anyone who takes Tolkien seriously enough to want to understand him more deeply.” — JOSEPH PEARCE

“The Flame Imperishable is not just another in a long line of books about J.R.R. Tolkien, but a truly seminal book that will be remembered as such long after the ephemera surrounding Peter Jackson’s work has come and gone. It will be canon.” — BRADLEY J. BIRZER

[Purchase: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk]

Available for pre-order: Myth and Solidarity in the Modern World, by Timothy Stacey

Adam Morton — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 18:07:27 +0000

Available for pre-order from Routledge: Myth and Solidarity in the Modern World: Beyond Religious and Political Division, by Timothy Stacey.

In the context of the rise of reactionary politics across the globe, this book seeks new ways of developing solidarity across religious, political and economic differences. Drawing on an increasingly influential Christian theological movement,　postliberalism, it claims that the dominance of liberal, secular rationality has blinded people to the fundamental role of transcendence and myth in developing solidarity. The result is either atrophy, or a retrenching in divisive myths of faith, race, nation or economic status.

Liberalism is now a dominant force across the globe. But its resonance in the Anglo-Saxon West, from which it originates and has been most fully realized, is relatively underexplored. The book thus follows two simultaneous lines of enquiry. Firstly, a genealogical study of social scientific and policy iterations of the relationship between belief and solidarity in the Anglo-Saxon West, placing postliberal theory into dialogue with the sociology and anthropology of religion, politics and economics. Secondly, it draws from original ethnographic research with groups in London, UK, that seek to develop solidarity in the face of deep-seated difference.

By bringing a new way of framing these contentious debates about contemporary society, this research offers tools for more productive conversations around religious and political topics, in particular concluding with a clear policy proposal. It is, therefore, a useful resource for both academics of　theology and　religious　studies,　political philosophy, sociology and anthropology; and for politicians, policy makers and practitioners hoping to develop solidarity in the modern world.

Blurbs:

‘This book neatly juxtaposes the search for sources of solidarity in the West, not in a return to Christianity, as some have proposed, but in innovative movements and initiatives emerging out of a diversity of religion, belief and non-belief. The concept of myth is borrowed from religion and deployed in empirical investigations of both religious and non-religious settings. This opens up a valuable space for thinking again about categories and sources of solidarity in the public realm which for a while had gone missing, and will allow scholars, students and interested activists to think deeply about the possibilities.’ Adam Dinham, Professor of Faith and Public Policy and Director of the Faiths and Civil Society Unit, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK

‘This book addresses head-on the peculiar situation of the current west. We now see that even our replacements for religion, capitalism and libertarianism, are dubious and damaging myths. Yet with their demise, our sense of the emptiness left by the absence of real faith merely intensifies. Tim Stacey’s modest proposal is that we try to link some renewed sense of transcendence to local practices of mutual support, respecting human dignity and the natural world. It is not a bad starting-place for renewal.’ John Milbank, Research Professor of Religion, Politics and Ethics, University of Nottingham, UK

Now available: An Economics of Justice and Charity, by Thomas Storck

Adam Morton — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 16:42:34 +0000

Now available from Angelico Press: An Economics of Justice and Charity: Catholic Social Teaching, Its Development and Contemporary Relevance, by Thomas Storck, with a foreword by Peter Kwasniewski.

[Purchase: Amazon | Amazon.co.uk]

Since Pope Leo XIII’s landmark encyclical Rerum Novarum of 1891, a significant part of Catholic social doctrine has focused on man’s economic life and the challenge of building a well-ordered society rooted in correct first principles and animated by the twin virtues of justice and charity. The Church has boldly engaged the ideologies of the modern age—not only anarchism, communism, and fascism, but also the seductive alternatives of liberalism and libertarianism.

Understanding and applying Catholic social doctrine presents special difficulties. The sheer mass of material is a steep mountain to climb for the non-expert. Developments over time and the different styles of papal authors can give an impression of inconsistency or even contradiction. Agenda-driven commentators ignore or distort whatever they dislike, creating an ersatz magisterium. An Economics of Justice and Charity offers readers a compact, objective summary of the economic teaching of the Popes from Leo XIII to Francis that makes manifest its inner unity, its intended authority, and its perennial applicability. It bears witness to the Church’s living history of ethical wisdom, care for workers and the poor, and urgent desire to “penetrate and perfect the temporal order with the spirit of the Gospel.”

Blurbs:

“This book should be read by anyone who wants to understand the Catholic concept of social justice, particularly how it applies to the realms of economics and politics. Thomas Storck has delivered a concise explanation showing how the Church’s social teaching has been clear and consistent.” — DAVID W. COONEY, Editor, Practical Distributism

“In 1991, St. John Paul II encouraged a New Evangelization that included ‘a proclamation of the Church’s social doctrine.’ In the modern world, however, rarely have these teachings been presented holistically. Thomas Storck’s commitment to thinking with the mind of the Church and masterful curation of the best of the social tradition make him a notable successor to his intellectual heroes from the golden age of social thought.” — RICHARD ALEMAN, Editor-in-chief, The Distributist Review

“An Economics of Justice and Charity comes at a time when both the reality and the ideology of capitalism are increasingly being questioned. Its critique of capitalism stands outside the usual left/right dichotomy, providing an opportunity for a deeper analysis of our economic and social woes. For those new to the Church’s ‘best kept secret,’ Storck has produced a clear but philosophically sophisticated introduction to the major contributions and ideas within this tradition.” — CHARLES M. A. CLARK, Professor of Economics, St John’s University

“This is a superb exposition of the major social encyclicals, both in their historical development and in their application to our current situation. For those not familiar with the teachings, it provides a brief but brilliant introduction; for those who have studied these texts, Mr. Storck raises many interesting questions. Be sure not to skip the appendices, which shed new light on usury (the besetting sin of finance capitalism) and put forward a refutation of the neo-liberal interpretation of Centesimus Annus.” — JOHN MÉDAILLE, University of Dallas

[Purchase: Amazon | Amazon.co.uk]

Now available: The Architectonics of Hope, by Kyle Gingerich Hiebert

Adam Morton — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 17:11:30 +0000

Now available from Cascade Books: The Architectonics of Hope: Violence, Apocalyptic, and the Transformation of Political Theology, by Kyle Gingerich Hiebert, with a foreword by Cyril O’Regan.

[Purchase: Wipf and Stock | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com]

The Architectonics of Hope provides a critical excavation and reconstruction of the Schmittian seductions that continue to bedevil contemporary political theology. Despite a veritable explosion of interest in the work of Carl Schmitt, which increasingly recognizes his contemporary relevance and prescience, there nevertheless remains a curious and troubling reticence within the discipline of theology to substantively engage the German jurist and sometime Nazi apologist. By offering a genealogical reconstruction of the manner and extent to which recognizably Schmittian gestures are unwittingly repeated in subsequent debates that often only implicitly assume they have escaped the violent aporetics that characterize Schmitt’s thought, this volume illuminates hidden resonances between ostensibly opposed political theologies. Using the complex relationship between violence and apocalyptic as a guide, the genealogy traces the transformation of political theology through the work of a surprising collection of figures, including Johann Baptist Metz, John Milbank, David Bentley Hart, and John Howard Yoder.

Blurbs:

“Theologians must be political because they are embroiled in politics; and they are embroiled in politics because politics is saturated with religious resonances. So here is a new and courageous voice in political theology, taking on the giants—Schmitt, Metz, Radical Orthodoxy, and Yoder—and presenting them with a passionately argued freshness. The book courts controversy, and its dramatic genealogical unfolding of the apocalyptic and violent within political theology intensifies that controversy. But we need younger, confident, theologically astute thinkers to generate the right kind of contestation, and Gingerich Hiebert does that with well-crafted elegance and integrity. His vision of a new and hope-filled way of seeing opens a new chapter in political theology and isn’t fearful of exposing the deficiencies of older accounts. The book deserves to be read widely, reviewed widely, and debated widely, because only that way might we move forward in a world steeped in violence with faith, hope, and what he calls ‘charitable theological argument.’” — Graham Ward, Regis Professor of Divinity, Christ Church, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

“Kyle Gingerich Hiebert’s compellingly-written, nuanced genealogical account of the connections between violence and apocalyptic in early and late twentieth century political theologies displays an intimate grasp of the relevant conceptual and critical theoretical issues and offers a constructive perspective on what is at stake in this contested terrain.” — Travis Kroeker, Professor, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

“This well-argued book offers a fundamental contribution to the expanding field of political theology, by uncovering the influence of Carl Schmitt on a variety of thinkers like Metz, Yoder, and Milbank. In doing so, Gingerich Hiebert connects traditions of thought that seemed non-comparable before. Furthermore, he provides a way to retrieve Schmitt, who is the proverbial elephant in the room in many types of contemporary theology. In this way, Gingerich Hiebert shows an undercurrent in modern political theology that needed to be uncovered.” — Stephan van Erp, Professor of Fundamental Theology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium

“Gingerich Hiebert creatively puts Schmitt, Metz, Milbank, Hart, and Yoder into conversation with the result that we not only understand each of them better, but more importantly we have a better grasp of what is at stake in political theology. This book is destined to become a key text for all concerned with political theology.” — Stanley Hauerwas, Gilbert T. Rowe Professor Emeritus of Divinity and Law, Duke University, Durham, USA

Kyle Gingerich Hiebert (PhD, University of Manchester) is Director of the Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre at the University of Toronto.

[Purchase: Wipf and Stock | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com]

Now available: De-fragmenting Modernity

Adam Morton — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 18:02:44 +0000

Does Modern Lifestyle Affect Your Health?

The world never stops from evolving. Currently, Millennials are the largest active generation, with most young adults being between 19 and 36. In truth, the demographic definition of Millennials doesn’t only rely on a date of birth, but on their behavioral patterns too. In other words, there are older and younger individuals who have also adopted the millennial lifestyle. Consequently, they can be described as Millennials too, as they represent a social change. Millennials are, as the medias like to paint them, deeply involved with social media communication. They don’t only like to use social media platforms, but they also understand how to make the most of these. Additionally, being young adults, the Millennials are more likely to be seen working hard throughout the day to make a living. They are extremely ambitious, and therefore not afraid to work – assuming they agree with the business strategy. As a result, in the evening, the Millennials can be found relaxing with friends, often with a glass of alcohol – or a whole bottle. But, while these social habits define the Millennials, it is still unclear how they affect the health of young adults. If you are looking for healthy supplements check out these carbofix reviews.

Lack Of Sleep Damages Your Health

For Millennials, working hard is the best way to reach their professional goals. However, while Millennials are often said to value their work/life balance, self-employed freelancers and entrepreneurs are not afraid to cumulate extreme working hours and neglect their sleeping pattern. It’s a common belief that if you just work another extra hour, then you can finish the project. In truth, the more you work, the least productive you are. More importantly, the worst it is for your brain to get back to a normal sleeping cycle. As a result, you may find yourself suffering from lack of sleep. Tiredness is only the first phase of it. Lack of sleep can clog up your thinking patterns and weaken your immune system. Ultimately, it makes you less efficient, less smart, less healthy, and it also affects your mood. In short, go to bed when you are tired!

Alcohol Has Lasting Impacts

When it comes to relaxing at the end of a long day, alcohol is always part of the plan. However, you may not know how alcohol affects your body. Alcohol is above all a toxic substance. Consequently, it will affect the way your body function, creating inflammation in the tissues in the long term. In the short term, alcohol interferes directly with your nervous system: Loss of coordination, slurred speech, and even clouded thinking. All these are brain functions that are temporarily disabled or weakened. In the long term, they may remain disabled if you drink too much. So maybe switch to a glass of apple juice tonight? Visit gobiofit.com for more information about natural treatments.

Social Media Changes Your Brain

Human beings crave for social approval. As a result, using social media delivers a form of social recognition. However, the abundance of social approval marks, such as likes, are now creating self-confidence issues among the youngest part of the population. People may find themselves feeling worthless because a selfie didn’t recollect a satisfactory quantity of likes. Others might detach themselves from independent thinking in a Pavlovian attempt to post similar content to what it known to perform online. Consequently, over-sexualized selfies are common in the social media sphere, begging for the extra like that shows you matter. I selfie therefore I am, that’s what social media is doing to your brain.

Now available: Noble Beauty, Transcendent Holiness, by Peter Kwasniewski

Adam Morton — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 18:27:44 +0000

Now available from Angelico press: Noble Beauty, Transcendent Holiness: Why the Modern Age Needs the Mass of Ages, by Peter Kwasniewski, with a foreword by Martin Mosebach.

[Purchase: Amazon]

The traditional liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church is a highly formal ritual unfolding in layers of elaborate gesture, rich symbolism, whispered Latin, and ancient plainchants. “Experts” after the Second Vatican Council were convinced that such a ritual was irrelevant to “modern man.” To the shock of some, the delight of many, and the surprise of everyone, the old Latin Mass (and much that went along with it) has tenaciously survived during the past half-century and become an increasingly familiar feature in the Catholic landscape. What are the reasons for this revival, especially among the young? And why is this development so important for the renewal of Catholicism?

Peter Kwasniewski offers a lively account of the noble beauty and transcendent holiness of the traditional Roman liturgy, which humbles us before the mystery of God, stirs us with its pageantry, carries us into sacred silence, and bears us to a world of invisible realities. He contrasts this priceless treasure with the rationalistic reforms of the sixties, which yielded a Catholic liturgy severed from its own history, inadequate to its theological essence, unequal to its ascetical-mystical purpose, and estranged from its cultural inheritance. His conclusion: if there is to be a new springtime in the Church, the widespread restoration of the traditional liturgical rites will be at the heart of it.

Blurbs:

“Anyone who wants a frank, honest, and deep explanation of worship, prayer, and liturgy should get this book. Be prepared to marvel at the depth of the Mass.” — REV. JAMES W. JACKSON, F.S.S.P., author of Nothing Superfluous

“With a delightful variety of insightful angles, Noble Beauty, Transcendent Holiness is an admirable contribution to reminding the Church how to move the world with her irreplaceable liturgical traditions.” — MICHAEL P. FOLEY, Baylor University

“This tremendous new book is an eloquent and erudite confrontation with the very root of the liturgical debate: whether the radical de-mystifying of the Catholic liturgy has been for the good of souls. It is a ringing affirmation that the kind of liturgy that pleases God, softens the hearts of sinners, and raises the pious towards sanctity, is the mysterious product of centuries of development.” — JOSEPH SHAW, Chairman of the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales

“Peter Kwasniewski illustrates the total collapse of the hierarchy of values brought about by a modern world that has ‘turned its back to God,’ and man’s need for the Traditional Mass to spin him round to a recognition that all good things—temporal things included—flow only from aiming our attention firmly at the Creator.” — JOHN RAO, St. John’s University

“Dr. Kwasniewski has a genius for making a fresh case for Catholic tradition, with a blend of perspectives from the entire 60-year Catholic traditionalist movement. A unique reading experience.” — ROGER A. MCCAFFREY, President, Roman Catholic Books

[Purchase: Amazon]

New from Angelico Press: The Dream-Child’s Progress and Other Essays, by David Bentley Hart

Adam Morton — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 14:24:30 +0000

Just out from Angelico Press: The Dream-Child’s Progress and Other Essays, by David Bentley Hart (February 10, 2017; 358pp+).

[Purchase: Angelico Press]

By turns champion of the Christian difference and voice of dissent; friend to Moley and Water Rat and scourge to those of scientistic bent—these are but a few of the many guises of David Bentley Hart, whose books, essays, and reviews over the past twenty years have established him as one of America’s foremost theologians, critics, and men of letters.

Few have escaped Hart’s withering scrutiny, as he has exploded comfortable attitudes of believers and unbelievers alike. Here he turns his vital, and at times acerbic, pen to matters of truly high import: books and authors—and in so doing ranges far and wide across our intellectual landscape. Writing on everything from Alice to Zen, here are meditations on culture, theology, and politics; on words, sports, and nature.

Disarming, insightful, illuminating—and often wickedly funny—the essays in The Dream-Child’s Progress give evidence of the great gift we have in Hart: a Christian intellectual engaging our world with warmth, candor, and clarity—but most of all, with charity.

Blurbs:

“David Bentley Hart’s advocacy of remote literary treasures and lingering cultural mysteries will surely do much to offset the terrible reputation our universe must enjoy among the inhabitants of other dimensions. No more successful cosmic sales-pitch could be imagined.” — JOHN MILBANK, University of Nottingham

“David Hart is a national treasure. Like an ecologist lovingly displaying the beauty of a rare plant, or pinpointing where to find the real contribution of, or cure for, an invasive shrub, Hart masterfully guides us into the many ways in which humans attempt to express the intricacy and mystery of reality.” — MATTHEW LEVERING, Mundelein Seminary, University of St. Mary of the Lake

“A journey through the mind of David Bentley Hart is always a great and glorious adventure no superlative can describe and no summary encapsulate. Perhaps, then, the highest praise one can lavish on The Dream Child’s Progress is to say it is not altogether unlike another journey undertaken with the guidance of Hart’s beloved Lewis Carroll: it gets curiouser and curiouser with each wonderful essay.” — MICHAEL HANBY, Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, Catholic University of America

“David Bentley Hart is an indispensable voice—brilliant, learned, arch, and pitiless. This far-ranging collection is quintessential Hart, by turns provocative and hilarious. I learn something unexpected from nearly every essay.” — KYLE HARPER, University of Oklahoma

“This volume is a nest holding many fine jewels. Once again, Hart has shown that he is the best writer on religion (and all things attendant) in America today.” — CONOR CUNNINGHAM, University of Nottingham

“These essays of David Hart, mostly on books and authors, glow with delight in the most human of things: storytelling, religion, truth, entertainment, being alone, other people—and the mystery of language. David Hart is a master. If you have not read him, you must.” — AARON RICHES, Seminario Mayor San Cecilio, Granada, Spain