Catholicism In The Third Millennium

What is Catholicism? And where is the Catholic Church headed in the third millennium? These two questions provide the structure for Thomas Rausch's Catholicism in the Third Millennium. Here Rausch combines a faithful presentation of the tradition with a critical theological reflection and interpretation of where the Church is today and where it might be moving. Catholicism in the Third Millennium offers an appreciation of the forces and movements that have shaped, and continue to influence, the ongoing change and development of Roman Catholicism. Chief among these is the influence of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) in reshaping Catholicism. This revised edition includes updated text from Rausch's Catholicism at the Dawn of the Third Millennium particularly the final chapter on "The Unfinished Agenda" of Vatican II. Each chapter concludes with focus questions developed by Catherine E. Clifford of St. Paul's University, Ottawa. This experience of guided reading provides readers with a broad survey of Roman Catholic faith and practice in its contemporary context. For readers who wish to compare particular passages of this volume with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, an outline is provided in an appendix, with references to the appropriate sections of the Catechism. A second appendix offers a glossary of terms used in the book, while a third appendix lists a number of basic works for further investigation of Catholic faith and life. Chapters are "The Church and the Council," "Faith and the Believing Community," "A Visible Church," "A Living Tradition," "Sacraments and Christian nitiation," "Christian Life and Discipleship," "Sin, Forgiveness, and Healing," "Sexual Morality and Social Justice," "Prayer and Spirituality," "The Fullness of Christian Hope," and "The Unfinished Agenda." Includes Appendix I: Outlook of Book, with References to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Appendix II: Glossary of Terms, and Appendix III: Basic Reference Works on Catholicism. An Index of Names, and an Index of Subjects are also included. Thomas P. Rausch, SJ, PhD, is professor of theology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He is the author of Catholicism at the Dawn of the Third Millennium, Reconciling Faith and Reason, and editor of the bestselling The College Student's Introduction to Theology published by Liturgical Press. Catherine E. Clifford, PhD, is a professor of theology at St. Paul's University in Ottawa, Ontario.

A comprehensive history of the Catholic Church from its beginnings in Jesus' ministry to its current status in an increasingly secular world.

"What is Catholicism? Where is the Church headed in the third millennium? These questions provide the structure for Catholicism in the Third Millennium, where Father Rausch combines a faithful presentation of the tradition as well as a critical theological reflection of where the Church is today and where it might be moving. Each chapter has focus questions developed by Catherine E. Clifford. ..." [from back cover]

"Ecclesiology which takes into account the Second Vatican Council, ecumenism, and globalization"--Provided by publisher.

Addresses the issues facing Catholics and Christians in the new century to come, presenting advice and theology to support and help them.

From the Author: C. S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity is the obvious inspiration for the title of this book. In that book, Lewis uses the example of a person standing in a hall that is lined on both sides by rooms: Each room represents a different Christian tradition. He wanted to get readers into the hallway and let them choose for themselves whether to enter Christianity by the door of Anglicanism, Catholicism, and so forth. Mere Christianity brilliantly focuses on what essentially all Christians agree upon; namely the Creed, the canon of the New Testament, etc. However, many of the great controversies between Protestants and Catholics are purposely not discussed. There were ecumenical reasons for avoiding topics like papal primacy, purgatory, Marian devotions, and so forth. But, by avoiding these sorts of topics, Mere Christianity can be read as Mere Protestantism. I wrote Mere Catholicism to address some of those missing topics. Even though I am both intellectually and emotionally convinced of the truth of Catholic Christianity, I am indebted to C. S. Lewis (an Anglican) for helping me better understand how Christianity offers the most compelling raison d’être. His work and I hope my own is an exploration of “faith seeking understanding,” to quote St. Anselm of Canterbury. Contents: PrefaceIntroduction: Christianity in the Third Millennium1. Faith and Reason2. Freedom and Responsibility3. Work and Prayer4. Sin and Salvation (Hamartiology and Soteriology)5. Suffering and Love6. God (Theology)7. Jesus (Christology)8. Mary (Mariology)9. Saints and Angels (Hagiology and Angelology)10. The Church (Ecclesiology)11. The Bible (Bibliology)12. Humankind, Creation, and Last Things (Anthropology and Eschatology)NotesAbout the Author

Nearly five thousand books are currently available on the subject of the "new" Catholic Church. However, few of them capture the essence and explain the practice of the Catholic faith tradition in a way that is as understandable as The Catholic Church In The Third Millennium. This book documents the dramatic changes that have transformed the Catholic Church during the past four decades, explores the implications of these changes in the present and projects future changes still to come. Most everyone who reads this book will discover a greater appreciation of their own very personal faith journey. Daniel Fusting served as president of a national management consulting firm for thirty two years and authored several programs in organization, management and leadership development for the business world. During this time, he remained actively involved in parish and diocesan ministries and developed several programs in pastoral and ministry formation for both the priests and the laity. He now devotes his full time to writing and speaking. Dan and his wife Mary, who is also pastoral associate in their parish, have five children and sixteen grandchildren.

Priesthood begins with God's invitation, but it develops out of man's response. What does it take to respond enthusiastically, wholeheartedly and faithfully to the call to serve? In this attempt to answer these questions, the author clearly sets forth what it takes to be a Catholic priest in the third millennium. Whether he is stressing the necessity of regular Confession, the need to celebrate daily Mass, say the Liturgy of the Hours, or discussing priestly celibacy in frank, realistic terms, he emphasizes true priestly identity by presenting a life worth living, a life worth sharing, a life worth offering up to the Father through Christ and in the Holy Spirit. Because it is pastoral, practical and thoroughly Catholic, this book will renew the joy of being Catholic in the hearts of seminarians, priests and the people they serve.