The Relations Of The Church To Society

This is a print on demand book and is therefore non- returnable. Though buffeted on all sides by rapid and at times cataclysmic social, political, and economic change, the medieval church was able to make adjustments that kept it from becoming simply a fossil from the past rather than an enduring institution of salvation. The dynamic interaction between the medieval church and society gives form to this compelling and well-informed study by Adriaan Bredero. By considering medieval Christianity in full relation to its historical context, Bredero elucidates complex medieval realities -- many of which run counter to common modern notions about the Middle Ages. Bredero moves beyond the usual treatment of history by framing his overall discussion in terms of a fascinating and relevant question: To what extent is Christianity today still molded by medieval society? The book begins with an overview of religion and the church in medieval society, from the early Christianization of Western Europe through the fifteenth century. Bredero counters earlier romanticized assessments of the Middle Ages as a thoroughly Christian period by arriving at a definition of Christendom, not in its original sense as the empire of Charlemagne, but rather as "the countries, people, and matters which stood under the influence of Christ."

Clear, exact and perfectly orthodox, Father O'Reilly explains the whole of Catholic doctrine about the relations of Church and State, particularly those points that are most contested by the Church's enemies or least understood by uninstructed Catholics. The explanation of the Church's traditional attitude to religious liberty, the theological explanation of the Great Western Schism, the precise extent of the infallibility of the Pope and of the Church are of particular interest in the twenty-first century. Originally published in 1892.

There is today a dramatic reexamination of structure, authority, dogma -- indeed, every aspect of the life of the Church is held up to scrutiny. Welcoming this as a sign of vitality, Avery Dulles has carefully studied the writings of contemporary Protestant and Catholic ecclesiologists and sifted out six major approaches, or "models," through which the Church's character can be understood: as Institution, Mystical Communion, Sacrament, Herald, Servant, and, in a recent addition to the book, as Community of Disciples. A balanced theology, he concludes, must incorporate the major affirmations of each. "The method of models or types," observes Cardinal Dulles, "can have great value in helping people to get beyond the limitations of their own particular outlook and to enter into fruitful conversation with others... Such conversation is obviously essential if ecumenism is to get beyond its present impasses." This new edition includes a new Appendix and Preface by the author.

A study of the early Christian church in the Mediterranean region and its emphasis on collective good over individual desire clarifies much about what is wrong with the American church today.

Excerpt from The Relations of the Church to Society: Theological Essays The most useful introduction to this volume will, we think, be found in a brief account of the writer's life and character, with some indications of the very high esteem in which, as a man and as a theologian, he was held by Cardinal Newman and other distinguished men. Edmund Joseph O'Reilly was born in London, on the April 30th, 1811, and he was six years old before his parents returned to Ireland. His father died while he was young, leaving him to the care of his pious mother. This lady was one of five sisters, one of whom married the third Lord Kenmare (grandfather to the present earl); another entered the Visitation Convent at Westbury, in England; another married Mr. Bagot, of Castle Bagot, in County Dublin; and the last married Mr. Dease, of Turbotstown, in Queen's County. The father of these ladies and of Mrs. O'Reilly, Mr. Edmund O'Callaghan, of Killegorey, in the County Clare, was mortally wounded in a duel, but survived five days to repent and prepare for his judgment. It is curious to find such a man as Father O'Reilly linked so closely with the bygone age of duelling. Edmund O'Reilly spent several years of his boyhood at Mount Catherine, a few miles from Limerick. His first education he received from a private tutor. After some years at Clongowes and Maynooth, he went to Rome, about 1830, for his ecclesiastical studies, and spent seven years attending the classes of the Roman College, but residing in the Irish College, of which the late Cardinal Cullen was then president. At the end of a long and distinguished course he gained the degree of Doctor of Divinity, after what is termed a "public act" de universa theologia. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.