Theology And Life – serie

Story Theology shows how narratives provide the central and distinctive structure and content of Christian faith. Tilley begins by showing the importance of understanding stories as carrying the substance of faith. He then analyzes and retells the central stories of Christianity—those of and about Jesus. But if these stories are to live on in the world after Jesus' time, they must be lived in and lived out by Jesus' followers. Hence, Tilley tells stories of model disciples—saints—who show how Christians are to live as Christians in and for the world, how to be disciples, members of the Body of Christ. Yet stories may be misleading and destructive as well as enlightening and freeing. So, the final chapter tells how to evaluate the truth and truthfulness of stories. Story Theology portrays Christianity as an on going variegated way of life and thought.

While retaining the basic structure of the original book, this new edition has been thoroughly updated in light of some official Catholic documents and other theological writings dealing with sexual morality that have appeared since 1986. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Pope John Paul II's encyclicals Veritatis splendor and Evangelium vitae, and the 1986 and 1992statements of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on pastoral care of homosexuals and the issue of discrimination against them are among the more recent magisterial publications considered in this text.This edition also contains several new sections: the misuses of sex (adultery, pornography, prostitution, sexual violence); four rationales for viewing a committed love relationship as the only appropriate context for sexual intercourse; marriage as a sacrament and marital sexuality and love as embodiments of commitment, intimacy, and passion; and public policy and the civil rights of homosexuals. This edition also includes an expanded discussion of topics such as sexism, sexually transmitted diseases especially HIV/AIDS and the moral questions raised by new family-planning methods (Norplant, Depo-Provera), RU-486, postcoital hormonal interventions against pregnancy, the start of human life, and abortion.Vincent J. Genovesi, SJ, received his PhD in Christian ethics from Emory University. He is a professor at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. His articles have appeared in such journals as The Thomist, The Way, America, and Review for Religious.

This unique work - no other work yet available in English treats this subject - illustrates the contribution of these Councils in the development and formulation of Christian beliefs. It then shows how their legacies lingered throughout the centuries to inspire - or haunt - every generation.

This lively and wonderful book probes the presence of grace ("Grace is everywhere"), garners the timeless teachings of the New Testament and theologians, and discusses grace in the light of contemporary beliefs and needs.