Walter Kasper - Böcker

.. one of Germany's leading modem theologians has produced a clear and thorough doctrine of God in The God of Jesus Christ. It will be an excellent book for students of theology who want a comprehensive survey of this central matter, for those who want an introduction to the range of traditional and modern positions without ever getting too far from practical and pastoral relevance and for those who simply ask: Is it possible to have a critical, rational and strong doctrine of the Trinity today?This is a fine, unoriginal statement that manages to show the richness, depth and adequacy of a main-stream orthodox position rethought in the context of contemporary debates.' (Expository Times)... the author speaks of learning from the fathers to have the courage to think things out for himself. The freshness and lucidity of his approach bear witness to his success.' (The Way)... an excellent account of the problematic character of faith in God at the present time' (New Blackfriars)'There are many illuminating aspects and a good awareness of both dogmatic and other issues, in particular of the centrality of the doctrine of the Trinity for our understanding of salvation.'(Theology)

This new collection of essays by West Germany's most distinguished Roman Catholic theologian covers the two broad areas indicated in the title.The first half discusses the Christian understanding of God; the place of Christianity in the modern world; the modern sense of freedom and history and the theological definition of human rights; christology and anthropology; and the possibilities of a new spiritual christology in a trinitarian setting.The second half discusses various aspects of the church: as universal sacrament of salvation; as the place of truth and as communion. Two final studies examine the continuing challenge of the Second Vatican Council and the fundamental form and meaning of the eucharist.An extended introduction considers systematic theology today and the tasks which confront it.

Among recent theological works on Jesus Christ, this is the outstanding contribution. Kasper brilliantly synthesises biblical, philosophical and traditional material. There is a new introduction. Here at last is a reissue of Kasper's major work with a brilliant new twenty page introduction surveying recent developments in Christology. Kasper assesses the Christological enterprise in the Church from the earliest down to the most recent times which can be recommended without hesitation to teacher and serious student. The book also provides a solid theological basis for preaching. This may also be described as a work of Christian serenity, but one which is not indifferent to current problems. It is the fruit of the deep peace which all men can gain from contemplation of Jesus the Christ. As Karl Rahner has said - this book is 'modern' in the very best sense of the word. Synthesising biblical, philosophical and traditional material, the book remains essential reading for specialists and is used widely for courses on Christology - the very basis of Christian theology itself.

Walter Cardinal Kasper describes this book as a strong plea to make the God-question once again the fundamental theological question. It is intended primarily for students of theology, but Kasper also addresses ""all who have a deeper interest in the theological questions connected with the faith."

Here, Kasper outlines his vision for the unity of Christian Churches.Cardinal Kasper is a distinguished theologian who was a colleague of Cardinal Ratzinger, Karl Rahner, and Hans Kung at The Universities of Münster and Tübingen. Kasper now heads the Vatican's Council for Promoting Christian Unity, with the specific task of fostering relations between the Catholic Church and other Christian Churches and Ecclesial communities. A man with an open mind, Kasper covers one of the major responsibilities of the contemporary Catholic Church. His perspective of the uniqueness of The Catholic Church and its magisterium is presented here as a modern inquiry into the nature of truth. His views are enlightening and engaging, and reflect the important role of dialogue as understood by the Catholic Church, which also listen to other traditions and learn from them.Many will read it in the hope that the thought of this renowned, open-minded Church leader may give hope to people of all traditions that they may learn to understand Jesus's injunction - 'they may be one'.

Kasper is a master synthesiser, and his display of erudition alone makes this book a worthy read and an invaluable resource for questions of God and Trinity. Using admittedly polemical language, he calls for a 'theological theology' which makes the explanation of the confession of the triune God its first priority, not only for speculative but also for pastoral reasons.This is the reissue of a theological work of considerable importance for which Cardinal Kasper has written an entirely new introduction taking modern developments in theology fully into account.

The Second Vatican Council in its Decree on Ecumenism (Unitatis redintegratio) declared the restoration of unity among Christians to be one of its principal concerns. Division among the Churches scandalises the world, and damages that most holy cause, the preaching of The Gospel to every creature. The key figure in the Roman Catholic Church to have worked tirelessly at these aims is Cardinal Walter Kasper, one of the most appealing, progressive and open members of the Vatican hierarchy. In this new book Cardinal Kasper summarises the results of his intense dialogues with Anglican, Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed and Methodist Churches and sets out a blue print for 'consensus and convergence' and sets out a map for the way forward. From such a source, this document is therefore of crucial importance. The book focuses on the major issues in ecumenical dialogue - Jesus Christ, The Holy Trinity, Justification, The Church and The Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist. With pellucid clarity, this book explains the key issues at stake and offers signposts for the way forward so that the wish of Jesus may be fulfilled: That They May All Be One.

Walter Kasper is already well-known and loved throughout the English-speaking world. He has held high office in the Vatican but until his recent retirement has felt constrained from publishing what he really thinks and his vision of the Church for the future. Kasper brings to conclusion a project that has been pursued for years, as it joins together his greatest monographs on the subject of God's teaching and Christology. The book covers three main topics: Nature, Reality and the Mission of the Church. The introductory section is autobiographical and the reader can see Kasper's personal and theological way in to and with the Church. He develops the actual ecclesiological exegesis - for Kasper the representation of the Being of the Church is not about empirical description, but rather a testimony of being. He emphasizes that nobody is able to apply the stereotypical and idealistic image of the heavens to the critical acknowledgement of the church's present. The program of the Church is ultimately not self-directed but rather remains oriented towards the finalization of the arrival of the kingdom of God and the spiritual healing of the human race.