Jon Sobrino - Böcker

In this powerful book the great Latin American theolgian Jon Sobrino shows that global capitalism is driven by a cruel dynamic of oppression and greed, which inevitably dehumanises people, destroys the human family, and threatens mother earth. He argues it is the poor who, paradoxically, offer the only way to salvation for the World. We must work for a new civilisation that will give everyone access to material and cultural goods that make for a truly human life.

All theology is contextual; but not all contextual theology is good theology. Truly great theology must be rooted in a double context: it must be obedient to the living Jesus, and it must work out that obedience in the time and place in which it is set. Christology at the Crossroads is an example of truly great contextual theology. The context in which Fr Sobrino writes is South America and the dominating presence of the oppressed. The situation demands an "operational" theology, a theology which will make a real difference to the way people live and die and suffer. In a real sense it would be true to say that the liberation theologians are concerned about theology not at all as a cognitive discipline but only as a way of following Jesus. In this book Fr Sobrino applies the method and the passion of liberation theology to Christology, and the result is fascinating: it excited me, and it filled me with guilt and dread. Fr Sobrino describes his approach as "historical Christology", and by that he means that we must return to the Jesus of history if we are to avoid treason to the Christ of faith. A theology which cuts itself free of the passion and defeat of the human Jesus in the name of a theology of the Risen Christ ends by losing both. Jesus can only be Christ for us if we follow his way. It is impossible in the compass of a short review to do justice to such a compelling and comprehensive book. It is radical without being reductionist. It is relentless in its refusal to let us avoid the challenge of Jesus by sliding into theological or cultic abstractions. It will stimulate, illuminate and infuriate those whose minds are jaded by the current state of British theology. And, like all great theology, it will bring you uncomfortably close to the living Jesus' (Richard Holloway in Church Times).

1993 saw the publication in English of Mysterium Liberationis, a mammoth two-volume reference work on liberation theology which had originally appeared in Spanish. Unfortunately, its high price and sheer size deterred many readers from getting to know it, particularly as it was published only in the United States. This abridged version contains the key themes of systematic theology from Mysterium Liberationis, comprising studies by the major liberation theologians on the heart of Christian doctrine. Here, among the sixteen articles, Clodovis Boff writes on methodology; Gustavo Gutierrez on the option for the poor; Jon Sobrino on the reign of God, christology and spirituality; Leonardo Boff on the Trinity; Jose Comblin on the Holy Spirit and grace; Ivone Gebara and Maria Clara Bingemer on Mary and Ignacio Eflacuria on the crucified people. For those already familiar with liberation theology, and those new to it but wanting to see it at its best, here is an important and vital basic text. Jon Sobrino SJ teaches at the Central American University, San Salvador; Ignacio Ellacuria SJ was rector of the University and was one of the six Jesuits killed by Salvadoran troops in November 1989.

Concilium has long been a household-name for cutting-edge critical and constructive theological thinking. Past contributors include leading Catholic scholars such as Hans Küng, Gregory Baum and Edward Schillebeeckx, and the editors of the review belong to the international "who's who" in the world of contemporary theology.Published five times a year, each issue reflects a deep knowledge and scholarship presented in a highly readable style, and each issue offers a wide variety of viewpoints from leading thinkers from all over the world

Concilium has long been a household-name for cutting-edge critical and constructive theological thinking. Past contributors include leading Catholic scholars such as Hans Küng, Gregory Baum and Edward Schillebeeckx, and the editors of the review belong to the international "who's who" in the world of contemporary theology. Published five times a year, each issue reflects a deep knowledge and scholarship presented in a highly readable style, and each issue offers a wide variety of viewpoints from leading thinkers from all over the world.

Introduction /Andre?s Torres Queiruga, Luiz Carlos Susin, Jon Sobrino -- Death and its religious "management" in human history /Karl-Heinz Ohlig -- Dying and rising again in a popular tradition /Diego Irarrazaval -- On dying hard : lessons from popular crucifixions and undisciplined resurrections in Latin America /Marcella Maria Althaus-Reid -- Resurrection in the Israelite tradition /Sene?n Vidal -- Jesus raised as "primrose" of shared resurrection /Giuseppe Barbaglio -- Metaphysical aspects of the concept of resurrection /Thomas Scha?rtl -- The resurrection of nature : an aspect of cosmic Christology /Ju?rgen Moltmann -- Resurrection as process of a new life /Ma?rcio Fabri dos Anjos -- The resurrection of one crucified : hope and a way of living /Jon Sobrino -- Resurrection and funeral liturgy /Andre?s Torres Queiruga -- I believe in resurrection /Pedro Casalda?liga -- Conclusion : resurrection, the heart of life and faith /Luiz Carlos Susin -- Documentation. Migration from Africa to Spain /Rafael Lara. -- Migration from the Americas and Caribbean /Alberto Lopez Pulido.

Concilium has long been a household-name for cutting-edge critical and constructive theological thinking. Past contributors include leading Catholic scholars such as Hans Küng, Gregory Baum and Edward Schillebeeckx, and the editors of the review belong to the international "who's who" in the world of contemporary theology.Published five times a year, each issue reflects a deep knowledge and scholarship presented in a highly readable style, and each issue offers a wide variety of viewpoints from leading thinkers from all over the world.

This work is a presentation of the truth of Jesus Christ from the viewpoint of liberation - from Jesus's options for the poor, his confrontation with the powerful and the persecution and death this brought him. Building and expanding on his previous works, Jon Sobrino develops a Christology that shows how to meet the mystery of God, all God "Father" and call this Jesus "the Christ".