Introduction to Sacramental Theology: Signs of Christ in the Flesh
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Introduction to Sacramental Theology presents a complete overview of sacramental theology from the viewpoint of the body. This viewpoint is supported, in the first place, by Revelation, for which the sacraments are the place where we enter into contact with the body of the risen Jesus. It is a viewpoint, secondly, which is firmly rooted in our concrete human bodily experience, thus allowing for a strong connection between faith and life, creation and redemption.
From this point of view, the treatise on the sacraments occupies a strategic role. For the sacraments appear, not as the last of a series of topics (after dealing with Creation, Christ, the Church), but as the original place in which to stand in order to contemplate the entire Christian mystery. This point of view of the body, which resonates with contemporary philosophy, sheds fruitful light on classical themes, such as the relationship of the sacraments with creation, the composition of the sacramental sign, the efficacy of the sacraments, the sacramental character, the role of the minister, or the relationship of the sacrament with the Church as a sacrament.
As a result of this approach, the Eucharist takes on a central role, since this is the sacrament where the body of Jesus is made present. The rest of the sacraments are seen as prolongations of the eucharistic body, so as to fill all the time and space of the faithful. This foundation of the theology of the sacraments in eucharistic theology is supported by an analysis of the patristic and medieval tradition.
In order to support its conclusions, Introduction to Sacramental Theology examines the doctrine of Scripture (especially St. John and St. Paul), the main patristic and medieval authors (St. Augustine, Hugh of St. Victor, St. Bonaventure, St. Thomas Aquinas), the response of Trent to the protestant challenges, up to modern authors such as Scheeben, Rahner, Ratzinger, or Chauvet, including the teaching of Vatican II about the Church as a kind of sacrament.
- Presents a complete overview of sacramental theology
- Examines the doctrine of Scripture and the main patristic and medieval authors
This is more than an introductory text. It is more, in fact, than a mere treatise or theology of the sacraments. It is theology done sacramentally—at once scriptural, mystagogical, and systematic. The author draws masterfully from the Old Testament and the New, from the Eastern and Western Fathers, from the medievals and the moderns.... The sweep of this book is breathtaking and comprehensive. It opens up the complete sacramentality of Christian life.
—Scott Hahn, author of The Fourth Cup: Unveiling the Mystery of the Last Supper and the Cross and President of the St. Paul Center
Fr. Granados shows how the study of the sacraments can serve as the beginning of Christian theological understanding, not its conclusion, because the sacraments are the point of our original, tangible contact with the mystery of Christ. He examines all the sacraments by relating them to the Eucharist as their paradigm. His book surveys the history of the Church’s sacramental understanding and practice, from biblical times to the present, and it draws on an astounding number of contemporary writings. The book will be immensely informative to catechists and teachers, and it will inspire Christians who wish to deepen their faith.
—Robert Sokolowski, author of The God of Faith and Reason: Foundations of Christian Theology
- Title: Introduction to Sacramental Theology: Signs of Christ in the Flesh
- Author: Jose Granados
- Publisher: Catholic University of America
- Print Publication Date: 2021
- Logos Release Date: 2022
- Pages: 428
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Religion Christian Rituals & Practice Sacraments; Sacramentals
- ISBNs: 9780813233925, 9780813233932, 0813233925, 0813233933
- Resource ID: LLS:NTRDCTNSCRMNTTH
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:30:08Z
