Aidan Nichols

This study is an introduction to Catholic theology designed both for the theological student and for the general reader willing to make a certain effort. After introducing the idea of theology adn the virtues desirable in the budding theologian, the bulk of the book falls intro the five sections: (1) the tole of philosophy in theology; (2) the use of the Bible in theology; (3) the resources of tradition, liturgy and sacred art; Fathers, Councils and Creeds; the sense of the faithful; (4) two 'aids to discernment in short history of Catholic theology from the New Testament to the present day. The conclusion considers the features of pluralism and unity which should typify Catholic theology as a whole and suggests how unity may avoid becoming uniformity without pluralism becoming anarchy.

Thomas Aquinas is one of the great figures in western thought, whose ideas continue to excert a powerful influence on theologians, contemporary writers and thinkers of very different backgrounds and traditions. This book is a lively and authoritative introduction to Aquinas, his life and thought and shows why many see him as a vital partner in contemporary debate about the future of Christianity.

Following his acclaimed The Word Has Been Abroad: A Guide Through Balthasar's Aesthetics, No Bloodless Myth by Aidan Nichols summarizes and illuminates the five-volume series Theo-Drama, which develops the heart of Balthasar's theological theory--his exploration of the Good and of the dramatic interplay of finite and infinite freedom. Theo-Drama builds upon the earlier achievement of The Glory of the Lord and transcends it, opening up new horizons for theological and cultural reflection in the twenty-first century. Aidan Nichols's succinct commentary enables the reader to grasp the main themes of one of the most important theological works in several generations. ""A magesterial guide through Balthasar's theological dramatics. . . . [This book] confirms Aidan Nichols as an authoritative guide to the writings of Hans Urs von Balthasar.""--Heythrop Journal""Father Nichols is writing what will surely be the definitive commentary on Balthasar's great theological trilogy. In this second volume he unfolds the complex argument of the Theo-Drama with clarity and good humor. Let no one now complain that they do not know how to find their way through the works of Balthasar. Father Nichols is at hand as a trustworthy guide.""--John Saward, author of The Way of the LambAidan Nichols, OP, is prior of the Dominican community at Blackfriars, Cambridge. ""[This study] will most certainly contribute in great measure to our in-depth understanding of the innovative vision proposed by the major and increasingly influential Swiss theologian. Readers and scholars are beginning to understand why Urs von Balthasar is so well beloved by so many, not least the current Pope. . . . The unbelievably broad erudition and reading culture of Balthasar is amply unfolded before us, in a way that manages to be both majestic and playful. . . . We should be more than grateful for this elegant and substantial guide.""--Review of Metaphysics ""Some knowledge of Balthasar's great trilogy is now required of any self-respecting Christian theologian. So we are much indebted to Aidan Nichols for the three books that summarize, respectively, its three multivolume parts, on aesthetics (Beauty), theodramatics (Goodness), and theologic (Truth). . . . [A] rich summary that illuminates the work beautifully, with occasional critical comments, humorous asides, and references to the tradition. Nichols follows Balthasar's order without any particular emphases of his own. The result is often exciting, even when the summary must become dense. Besides its evident usefulness for those who have not yet read Theo-Drama, it enables those who have to get a clearer view of Balthasar's project as a whole.""--The Journal of Religion""Nichols excels at combining a straightforward, sequential summary of each volume of the Dramatics with a deft interpretation of what constitutes Balthasar's canon within canon. . . . One of the more important studies in English of Balthasar's theology."" Larry Chapp, Theological Studies

Theo-Drama builds upon the earlier achievement of The Glory of the Lord and transcends it, opening up new horizons for theological and cultural reflection in the 21st century.'

Why has the church become so marginalised in our culture? A leading British theologian argues that the church must regain confidence in its doctrine to shape and influence philosophy, ethics, aesthetics, economics, gender relations and the forms of the State. Written from a position of ‘radical traditionalism', and situated in the mainstream of contemporary Roman Catholicism, Aidan Nichols calls on the Church to recover perspective and re-launch its creative mission in the new millennium. Praise for Christendom Wake:'Rerelate faith and culture, re-enchant the Liturgy, recentre on the end. It must, it can be done - a rich and passionate book.' --Cardinal Christoph Schönborn 'This book embodies the very thing it proposes: the awakening and remaking of Christendom. England's foremost Catholic theologian displays the undiminished capacity of classical Catholicism for the renewing of liturgy and spirituality, philosophy and theology, exegesis and ecumenism, art and architecture, consecrated life and family life, economics and politics. If there is a Catholic Christian culture, then it is here!' --Professor John Saward 'Fr Nichols is full of insights, of beauty and of the unexpected. This is indeed an important book, one which could alter hearts, minds and imaginations. It could give birth to numerous progeny. It would do little justice to Aidan Nichols' vision if this meant only to other people's books.' David Foster, Catholic Family'Aidan Nichol's provocative, wide-ranging charter for renewal, Christendom Awake, should be compulsory reading for all those who believe that the future well-being of the Catholic Church depends simply on the full implementation of the so-called 'Spirit of Vatican II'.' --Revd Dr Ian Ker 'Aidan Nichols provokes disagreement but I cannot praise this book too highly. The doctrinal and philosophical sections are hard going, but do not be deterred. Your will probably reject Nichols attempt to revive the concept of Christendom as hopelessly unrealistic but you will be refreshed by his wide-ranging intelligence and by his unerring ability to pinpoint the problems facing the contemporary church.' --Church of England Newspaper 'Just occasionally a book appears that makes one sing with joy. This is such a book. Such works are often described as "seminal" and this book, in the literal sense, will sow seeds that ought to grow. If you read only one book on religious matters this year, I urge you to make this that book. Every Catholic school needs at least one copy in its library and discussion about the ideas contained could be stimluating in-service training for a school. The publication of Christendom Awake might prove to be a turning point in the history of the Catholic Church in England.' --Catholic Times 'This is a thoughtful boom, beautifully written in some parts. Nichols' book is well worth reading. Catholics who do not agree with him will find themselves impelled to think more deeply and uncover the biblical foundation of their faith.' --The Ecumenist

Hans Urs von Balthasar is arguably one of the greatest-and certainly one of the most influential-Catholic theologians of the twentieth century. Awarded the prestigious Paul VI Prize for theology and designated a Cardinal just before his death in 1988 by Pope John Paul II, Balthasar's writings have clearly helped to shape the theological style of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. His seven-volume series The Glory of the Lord provides a rich and complex theological aesthetics approaching God (unusually) through the transcendental attribute of Beauty (Glory) rather than directly through Truth or Goodness, and drawing not only upon theology but upon the entire breadth of the European literary and religious tradition-ancient, mediaeval, modern, and postmodern. Understandably, The Glory of the Lord in its very extent and range is difficult to assimilate. In The Word Has Been Abroad, Aidan Nichols, one of Britain's most accomplished and lucid theological writers, succeeds in summarizing the essential theological content of Balthasar's monumental work, against the background of the living Christian tradition to which it bears such impressive witness. In this way, Father Nichols has provided a much-needed key to understanding one of the most difficult but important writers of our time. This is the first volume of Aidan Nichols's Introduction to Hans Urs von Balthasar, which will also include guides to Balthasar's theological drama and logic. Aidan Nichols, O. P., is a member of the Dominican community at Blackfriars, Cambridge, and the author of numerous works of theology and Church history, including a two-volume commentary on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and a study of the theology of Joseph Ratzinger. """"This book, by one of Britain's best known theological writers, is the first in an 'Introduction to Hans Urs von Balthasar' series being published the Catholic University of America Press. Here Nichols has set himself the task of guiding us through the often difficult seven-volume Glory of the Lord: A Theological Aesthetics, Balthasar's vast work on a vast subject: the beauty of God. With this very good book, Nichols has done us a great service.""""--New Oxford Review """"The analysis is lucid and accurate and will give the reader an excellent presentation of Balthasar's project.""""--Worship """"The prolific English Catholic historian Aidan Nichols has written an authoritative and sympathetic introduction to Balthasar's multi-volumed magnum opus, The Glory of the Lord.""""--Church Times """"[This work] makes Balthasar's labyrinthine style intelligible to the pragmatic British or American reader. . . . Nichols explains with considerable intellectual vigor what Balthasar's whole exercise in 'aesthetics' and in the historical growth thereof intended. The summary of the dialectics between the Old and the New Testament (and of their mutual need) are masterpieces in themselves. . . . Nichols has written an excellent and highly useful work. His understanding of Balthasar is thorough and fair. In the emerging exegetical corpus on Balthasar this book will surely maintain its place among the most valuable and durable.""""--The Review of Metaphysics """"A very useful book in that it not only follows the shape and content of the first part of Balthasar's trilogy exactly, but offers an interpretive key to the vast oeuvre which explores the beauty of God and which dialogues with a great diversity of thinkers, biblical and pagan, ancient and modern. . . . Nichols has done us a great service in providing a readable guide to Herrlichkeit.""""--Heythrop Journal

At a time if division and crisis in the Church of England, its identity and mission have come into question as never before. Its own members, but also the wider community of Christians in both East and West, need to understand its history and the reasons for its present crisis, as well as the distinctive contribution it can make to the Great Church of the future. Aidan Nichols provides a clear summary and analysis of the history of the Church of England by way of a sensitive appraisal of its rich theological tradition. This also gives the reader a firm grasp of the context of the issues currently being discussed by the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission. Aidan Nichols, O. P. is a member of the Dominican community at Blackfriars, Cambridge. He is the author is Rome and the Eastern Churches, The Shape of Catholic Theology and many other books.

An exemplary summary of the state of Catholic theology and what appears to be its future. This historical treatment of Catholic theology looks not to the content of that theology but rather to the form in which that content is contained and how it is expressed. Faithful to Catholic teaching yet critical, discerning yet impartial, Nichols offers this introduction to dogmatic theology, with the firm belief that dogmatics are the center of theology, and that any theological discipline which cuts itself off from these heartlands does so at its own peril. For it is in dogmatics that theology is in touch with the heart of revelation, and only by virtue of the quality of its contact with that revelation is thinking Christian at all. Though comprehensive and far-reaching, this work is not beyond the understanding of people just commencing a study of theology. It makes an excellent text for study groups.