Gerald O'Collins – författare

Despite a long history of external threats and internal strife, the Roman Catholic Church remains a vast and influential presence in our modern world. But what were its origins, and how has it changed and adapted over the centuries? After Pope Benedict XVI dramatically resigned in early 2013 (the first Pope to resign since the fifteenth century), and Pope Francis was elected, many wondered what direction he would lead the Church in, and whether the Church could modernise in the face of the demands of our world.In this Very Short Introduction, Gerald O'Collins covers the history of the Catholic Church, and considers some of the key issues facing Catholicism today, such as the catastrophic revelations about clerical child abuse, the impact of the growth of Islam, and the destruction in the Middle East of ancient Christian church communities. He also shows how Catholics are being increasingly challenged by an opposition between their traditional Christian values and rights which are endorsed by the secular world, such as the right to physician assisted suicide or same-sex marriage, and considers the future for the largest and oldest institution in the world. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

This collection of papers is an international, ecumenical, and interdisciplinary study of Jesus' resurrection that emerged from the `Resurrection Summit' meeting held in New York at Easter 1996. The contributions represent mainstream scholarship on biblical studies, fundamental theology, systematic theology, philosophy, moral theology, and homiletics, and combine to offer a timely, wide-ranging, and well-balanced work on the central truth of Christianity.

`encourages further reflections on the mystery which lies at the heart of our faith.'Catholic Herald`Here, in these essays, we have Christian theology at its best, intellectually demanding and engaged with issues of central importance - a good combination.' The TabletThis collection of papers is an international, ecumenical, and interdisciplinary study of Jesus' Resurrection that has emerged from the `Resurrection Summit' meeting held in New York at Easter 1996. The contributions represent mainstream scholarship on biblical studies, fundamental theology, systematic theology, philosophy, moral theology, and homiletics, and combine to offer a timely, wide-ranging, and well-balanced work on the central truth of Christianity.

This interdisciplinary study is the result of an international and ecumenical meeting of nineteen scholars held in New York at Easter 1998: the Trinity Summit. Biblical experts examine the scriptural roots of trinitarian doctrine, patristic scholars correct those who continue to misinterpret the trinitarian teaching of the Cappadocians and Augustine, and five scholars examine systematic and foundational issues like the viability of social models for the Trinity. The volume ends with a study of the Trinity in art and the challenge of preaching the Trinity today. Each of the papers presented here have been circulated to all of the contributors not only improving the chapters, but also establishing firmer links between the four sections of the book. The international reputation of the participants reflects and guarantees the high quality of this joint work.

This book identifies the distinguishing features of fundamental theology, as distinct from philosophical theology, natural theology, apologetics, and other similar disciplines. Addressing the potential for confusion about basic Christian claims and beliefs, Gerald O'Collins sets out to relaunch fundamental theology as a discipline by presenting a coherent vision of basic theological questions and positions that lay the ground for work in specific areas of systematic theology.Rethinking Fundamental Theology examines central theological questions: about God, human experience and, specifically, religious experience; the divine revelation coming through the history of Israel and through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus; human faith that responds to revelation; the nature of tradition that transmits the record and reality of revelation; the structure of biblical inspiration and truth, as well as basic issues concerned with the formation of the canon; the founding of the Church with some leadership structures; the relationship between Christ's revelation and the faith of those who follow other religions. O'Collins concludes with some reflections on theological method.Written with the scholarship and accessibility for which O'Collins is known and valued, this book will relaunch fundamental theology as a distinct and necessary discipline in faculties and departments of theology and religious studies around the world.

This book identifies the distinguishing features of fundamental theology, as distinct from philosophical theology, natural theology, apologetics, and other similar disciplines. Addressing the potential for confusion about basic Christian claims and beliefs, Gerald O'Collins sets out to relaunch fundamental theology as a discipline by presenting a coherent vision of basic theological questions and positions that lay the ground for work in specific areas of systematic theology. Rethinking Fundamental Theology examines central theological questions: about God, human experience and, specifically, religious experience; the divine revelation coming through the history of Israel and through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus; human faith that responds to revelation; the nature of tradition that transmits the record and reality of revelation; the structure of biblical inspiration and truth, as well as basic issues concerned with the formation of the canon; the founding of the Church with some leadership structures; the relationship between Christ's revelation and the faith of those who follow other religions. O'Collins concludes with some reflections on theological method. Written with the scholarship and accessibility for which O'Collins is known and valued, this book will relaunch fundamental theology as a distinct and necessary discipline in faculties and departments of theology and religious studies around the world.

Compiled by two Jesuit theologians, this dictionary defines more than 1200 theological terms with entries ranging in size from single sentences to 500-word essays.

In Pause for Thought, prominent theologian picks up where he left off in his previous book, Reflections for Busy People, offering new themes of reflection in the areas of prayer, Jesus, and God, and conveying in his popular, experiential, conversational, and accessible writing style new opportunities for prayer reflection.In part one the author begins with six images of what prayer is like and then provides some sample texts for practicing prayer. Part two offers brief reflections on the story of Jesus from the annunciation and the nativity, through episodes in his ministry (e.g., his teaching and healing activity), and continues through the transfiguration and the Last Supper. Parts three and four propose “pauses for thought” on the passion, resurrection, and risen life of Jesus. These two parts consider the differences between the passion and Easter narratives offered by the four Gospels. These differences can enrich our life of prayer. Part five reflects on “the God of all comfort,” God in the various seasons of our lives, and in the final feast of heaven.This particularly relevant book aims to help individual Christians, ministers, and members of religious institutes, who lead busy lives but wish to “pause for thought” regularly.†

At a time when many more students around the world are taking courses and seminars in theology and religious studies, some can be confused about the meaning of basic and even very important theological terms. To help relieve this situation, the dictionary identifies and clarifies a thousand central terms, providing necessary information about their origin, the history of their usage, and their place in the story of Christianity. Fresh in its language and ecumenical in its style, this dictionary has already proved itself a valuable resource for thousands of students and teachers of theology and religious studies. The third, enlarged edition adds some further entries, updates other entries, includes two timelines, and indicates some essential bibliographical resources (both printed and online). Highlights:• Shorter and more accessible than larger theological dictionaries and encyclopedias that often run to many volumes• Balanced and ecumenical in perspective• Offers essential and up to date information on Eastern Christianity• Includes essential information from the Bible and the history of Christianity• Includes some of the very latest information and “breaking news” in theology†

A collection of eighteen essays on the Gospels, Acts, and the letters of Paul, written throughout Gerald O’Collins's distinguished career. †

The book follows the structure of the Spiritual Exercises, commenting on major themes in what Ignatius calls the First Week, the Second Week, the Third Week, and the Fourth Week, ending with the Contemplation for Attaining Love. It engages the audience by introducing fresh reflections on the Principle and Foundation (to be read in the context of late medieval marriage vows), and by using, at length, several episodes in the Gospel stories (e.g. the nativity of Christ, the call to service of Peter's mother-in-law, the particular approaches of the evangelists to Christ's passion and death, and the place of Ch. 21 in John's theology of love) to show how contemporary biblical interpretation enriches possibilities for prayer.Resources for prayer are drawn from Christian painting, sculpture, music, literature (e.g., Pascal and Kierkegaard) and poetry. The author explores links between the Exercises and the traditional practice of lectio divina. In doing this, he illustrates the scope of teaching on lectio divina coming from the Second Vatican Council and shows how translators and commentators have missed the Council's use of the technical term lectio divina.†

In The Tripersonal God, Gerald O'Collins examines the roots and development of Trinitarian belief, drawing on three areas for reflection: Testimony to the tripersonal God in the scriptures - both the Old Testament background and the teachings of Paul and the gospel writers The development of Trinitarian doctrine from the second-century writers and the early councils of the Church through medieval theology and modern challenges Major Trinitarian issues of today, such as naming the Trinity, the distinct personal existence of the Holy Spirit and Trinitarian imagery A comprehensive, contemporary inquiry, The Tripersonal God illuminates the historical and scriptural roots of belief in the Trinity and clarifies contemporary trends in Trinitarian thought.

The study of Jesus remains central to Christianity. ""Who was and is Jesus?"" and ""What has he done for us and for our world?"" are crucial questions that demand careful consideration and perennial answers. These Christological questions reach to the heart of Christian identity - both in its understanding of itself and in its relation to other world religions. In Christology: Origins, Developments, Debates, Gerald O'Collins continues his groundbreaking work in Christology by first tracing its major developments over the last fifty years. He next turns to a theology of resurrection - Christology's central event - and the foundational roles played by its two great witnesses, Peter and Paul. O'Collins then masterfully constructs a ""theology of religions"" that explores the relationship of Christianity to other living faiths precisely in light of the priesthood of Jesus Christ. In this volume, O'Collins engages the riches of the tradition and the challenges of the present to aid scholars and students alike who wish to grasp the centrality of the second person of the Trinity to the Christian faith.

The study of Jesus remains central to Christianity. "Who was and is Jesus?" and "What has he done for us and for our world?" are crucial questions that demand careful consideration and perennial answers. These Christological questions reach to the heart of Christian identity—both in its understanding of itself and in its relation to other world religions. In Christology: Origins, Developments, Debates, Gerald O'Collins continues his groundbreaking work in Christology by first tracing its major developments over the last fifty years. He next turns to a theology of resurrection—Christology's central event—and the foundational roles played by its two great witnesses, Peter and Paul. O'Collins then masterfully constructs a "theology of religions" that explores the relationship of Christianity to other living faiths precisely in light of the priesthood of Jesus Christ. In this volume, O'Collins engages the riches of the tradition and the challenges of the present to aid scholars and students alike who wish to grasp the centrality of the second person of the Trinity to the Christian faith.