Synopsis:
A highly insightful study of three major movements in Roman Catholic theology over the past thirty years. This fascinating work of theological scholarship offers an exceptionally broad scope and powerfully unifying theme. Gaspar Martinez first offers penetrating interpretations of three major contemporary theologians working on three continents, in quite dissimilar historical, cultural, social, and economic situations. Then he goes on to illustrate how Johannes Metz, Gustavo GutiTrrez, and David Tracy each had a tensive ongoing relationship to the mid-twentieth century theologians and movements that formed them-Karl Rahner, nouvelle theologie, and Bernard Lonergan, respectively. Martinez brilliantly contextualizes each of these thinkers. In broad strokes, he sketches postwar Germany, postcolonial Peru, and the American century and shows how each man was formed by his era. He also examines the lines of influence and relationship between these theologians and some of their nontheological contemporaries: Metz and Adorno, Bloch, and Benjamin; GutiTrrez and Paulo Freire, JosT Carlos Mariategui, and the novelist JosT Marfa Arguedas; and Tracy and thinkers from Eliade and Ricoeur to Gadamer and Derrida. Martinez convincingly illustrates how each of these theologians in recent years has focused more directly on the mystery of God, entailing greater emphasis on spirituality and mysticism, with the consequence that the more properly theological their theologies have become the more they have become negative theologies.
Review:
"This work was deeply instructive to me, even about my own work, as well as about the work of other progressive theologians since Vatican II. I heartily recommend it."-David Tracy
"Must Read"--Today's Books, May 1, 2001
"A unique achievement. Martinez has given us a guide to a striking theological terrain. Johann Baptist Metz (political theology), Gustavo Gutierrez (liberation theology), and David Tracy (public theology) have kept many of us from giving in to what Gabriel Daly called 'the post-Enlightenment blues.' These faithful Catholic intellectuals have set new markers for intellectual discourse and pulled theological reading away from the traps of banality and accomodation....Martinez contextualizes these contextual theologians: he locates them in their political and geographical settings, intellectual milieus, emerging concerns, and he consistently finds patterns that link them. His analysis is refreshingly on target....The book provides an acute synoptic view of the three most stimulating voices in contemporary fundamental theology. And, happily, its prose is a pleasure to read. It reminds us why we enjoy theology." John K. Downey, Theological Studies
"Must Read" Today's Books, May 1, 2001
"He is an excellent interpreter: lucid, comprehensive, and perceptive . . . an excellent book." Journal of Theological Studies, 53.1 (April 2002)
"This is an unusual and valuable book. Martinez does not just present a synthesis and comparison of threse three theologians and their theologies, but sets up a fascinating dialogue among them. Beautifully written...for anyone serious about post-Vatican II Catholic theology, it is a book not to miss. When David Tracy says he was instructed by Martinez's 'brilliant study' and Gustavo Gutierrez says ones whose works are analyzed in the book will benefit from reading it most, there must be something extraordinary here." Edmond J. Dunn, Missionary Theology, November 2001
."..a conclusion well worth pondering for anyone interested in the future of Catholic theology." J. Matthew Ashley, The Journal of Religion, April 2003
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