From the Classics to Vatican II

Sources and articles from noted theologians and writers

Listed in this blog post are sources and articles from noted contemporary theologians and spiritual writers. Their writings are good material for understanding the theology of Vatican II and its development in modern Catholic thought.

This first list of articles are all ecclesiological in nature. Ecclesiology is a special branch in theology that examines and studies the theology of the Church - her nature and her mission. Although some writers' points may be critical of the Church in her classic understanding of the faith, it would be good to understand the modern theologians' points of view and know that Vatican II was convened in a time of great changes in the world. The backdrop for Vatican II was the 60s - a time for many modern principles and new philosophies that initiated a new consciousness among the peoples of the world. This new consciousness also influenced these writers and theologians who wanted to reform the Church according to modern structures that can provide more room for dialogue - especially in the administration and governance of the Church's present system.

• "The Church I Want" by Bernard Haring
• "Which Way for the Church" by Leonardo Boff
• "The Church of the New Testament" by Richard McBrien
• "Forgotten Truths of Vatican II" by Jack Mahoney
• "A Half Century of Ecclesiology" by Avery Dulles
• "The Self-Understanding of the Church after Vatican II" by Robrecht Michiels
• "Taking Up a Global Church Agenda" by Rembert Weakland
• "The Hidden Motives of Pastoral Action" by Juan Luis Segundo
• "The Church of the Poor in the Decade of the 90s" by Pablo Richard
• "Modernity and Its Challenges to Inculturation" by Marcello de Carvalho Azevedo
• "The Hermeneutic Circle" by J. Segundo
• "God Bursts Forth in the Experience of Life" by Frei Betto Libanio
• "The Experience of God" by Dermot Lane
• "Introduction to the Bible" by Dianne Bergant
• "What is Contextual Theology" by Robert McAfee Brown
• "Fundamentalism" by Eugene LaVerdiere

Other articles also of a theological nature - ranging from moral theology, ministry, Christology and Scripture are in this second list.

• "Who was Jesus?" by Richard N. Osting
• "Calling for a 'Consistent Ethic of Life'" by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin
• "The height and breadth and depth of human salvation" by Schileebeckx
• "The Theological Foundation of the Role of the Laity" by Hontiveros
• "Experience of God and Image of God" by Karl Rahner
• "Biblical Hermeneutics" by Duncan S. Ferguson
• "New Testament Exegesis" by Gordon Fee
• "Disciple and Discipleship" by Ernest Best
• "Following Jesus: Discipleship in Mark" by Ernest Best
• "Instruction on the Historical Truth of the Gospels" by the Pontifical Biblical Commission
• "Towards a Fundamental Theological Interpretation of Vatican II" by Karl Rahner

All the articles in this page takes into context the division of theology and spirituality as two distinct disciplines. In the past they were integrated, but they evolved in history into separate fields of study - with each one having its own field of understanding. This is one reason why articles on spirituality are written in the context of devotion to Christ and His Church, while the articles on theology explores new truths that often enters a direction that make it criticize the Church and her present system of administration. The safest and surest direction in understanding the Catholic faith is certainly in the Classics. But to understand peoples' attitudes and outlook now, is to be objective and take into account how the Church evolved in its understanding of Christ and His gospel through the centuries.

This third list are articles on spirituality.

• "Spirituality" from the New Dictionary of Theology
• "Mysticism" from the New Dictionary of Theology
• "Life Flows from the Eucharist" by Pope John Paul II
• "Praying in Two Directions: A Christian Method of Prayerful Decision-making by Jan Bots
• "Understanding Consolation and Desolation" by Mary C. Coelho
• "Discernment of Spirits in Ignatius of Loyola and Teresa of Avila" by William K. Delaney
• "Creation and History" by Pedro Trigo

Where to search for these articles:

The majority of these articles are taken from periodicals, theological journals, and other publications that are popularly circulated and distributed mainly in libraries. They are sourced from: The Tablet, Catholicism, Theological Studies, Louvain Studies, National Catholic Reporter, Time Magazine, The New Dictionary of Theology, Review for Religious, and many others. They can also be searched online.

The Classics are true for all time. And they can just be applied in the present time for private devotions and work. Vatican II is more time-bound with a focus on "the signs of the times" in the 60s-70s: to be a Church addressing the needs of the modern world. That is why Vatican II is also applicable; it is applicable for all present apostolates in the Church, especially the lay apostolate. But which way the Church is headed for the future, whether in a conservative, or a more liberal direction, the Classics will always be a steady anchor to keep the Church from being lost in the sea of disbelief, doubt, uncertainty or sinfulness. And if Vatican II theology will not be as relevant in the near future as it was since the 60s-70s up to the present, due to its time-bound theology and spirituality, it can still be referred to again in the future. Vatican II is part of the Church's priceless treasure in her history of documents, and her great writers and theologians. It can be integrated and reintegrated into whatever the direction the Church will take through the lead of the Holy Spirit.