Fading Frontiers? (Paperback)

S. Arenas

ISBN 10: 9042945818 / ISBN 13: 9789042945814

Published by Peeters Publishers, Leuven, 2021

About this Item

Paperback. One aspect of the ecclesiological renewal at Vatican II that has notreceived much scholarly attention so far is the doctrine of theelements of the church (elementa ecclesiae), previously unheardof in Roman Catholic magisterial documents. This book offers an originaland comprehensive study of this notion and how it became part of theofficial teaching of the Roman Catholic church. Using a historical-theological approach, the author studies the originsand evolution of the concept of the elements of the church and gives anuanced understanding of this doctrine as outlined in Lumengentium 8 and Unitatis redintegratio 3. In this way, the author offers a renewed insight into the evolution ofthe position of the Roman Catholic church in oecumenicis during and inthe aftermath of Vatican II. The development sketched in the book ischaracterized by a double perspective. On the one hand, there is thedebate about the frontiers of the church that focuses on therelationship between the Roman Catholic church and the church of Christ.On the other hand, and closely related to the first aspect, there is theissue of the recognition of ecclesial elements in non-CatholicChristian communities. Both threads are closely interwoven and it isimportant to understand the relationship if one wants to do justice tothe doctrinal balance and complexity of Vatican IIs ecumenicalecclesiology. Taking these two aspects together, one should readilyacknowledge the shift that typifies Roman Catholic ecclesiology from ajuridical approach to the question of defining the Roman Catholicchurchs frontiers over against the outside world and afortiori over against other Christian denominations towards asacramental approach to Roman Catholic ecclesiology in which the notionsof sacramentality and mystery are foundational. Along with this newapproach came a renewed attention for a Christ-centred ecclesiology anda recognition of the activity and work of the Spirit outside the RomanCatholic church. All of these aspects are touched upon in this book.The author has studied original documentation in a number of archives.The book thus offers a detailed reconstruction of textual evolutions andhighlights the role played by Catholic and non-Catholic theologians whohave helped shape contemporary ecclesiological thought. It gives usinsight into the complex background history of the elementaecclesiae and shows how it continues to inspire post-conciliarecclesiological and ecumenical discussions. One aspect of the ecclesiological renewal at Vatican II that has not received much scholarly attention so far is the doctrine of the "elements of the church" (elementa ecclesiae), previously unheard of in Roman Catholic magisterial documents. This book offers an original and comprehensive study of this notion and how it became part o Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9789042945814

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Fading Frontiers? (Paperback)
• Publisher: Peeters Publishers, Leuven
• Publication Date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9042945818
• ISBN 13: 9789042945814
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

One aspect of the ecclesiological renewal at Vatican II that has not received much scholarly attention so far is the doctrine of the “elements of the church” (elementa ecclesiae), previously unheard of in Roman Catholic magisterial documents. This book offers an original and comprehensive study of this notion and how it became part of the official teaching of the Roman Catholic church.

Using a historical-theological approach, the author studies the origins and evolution of the concept of the “elements of the church” and gives a nuanced understanding of this doctrine as outlined in Lumen gentium § 8 and Unitatis redintegratio § 3.

In this way, the author offers a renewed insight into the evolution of the position of the Roman Catholic church “in oecumenicis” during and in the aftermath of Vatican II. The development sketched in the book is characterized by a double perspective. On the one hand, there is the debate about the frontiers of the church that focuses on the relationship between the Roman Catholic church and the church of Christ. On the other hand, and closely related to the first aspect, there is the issue of the recognition of “ecclesial” elements in non-Catholic Christian communities. Both threads are closely interwoven and it is important to understand the relationship if one wants to do justice to the doctrinal balance and complexity of Vatican II’s ecumenical ecclesiology. Taking these two aspects together, one should readily acknowledge the shift that typifies Roman Catholic ecclesiology from a juridical approach to the question of defining the Roman Catholic church’s frontiers over against the outside world – and a fortiori over against other Christian denominations – towards a sacramental approach to Roman Catholic ecclesiology in which the notions of sacramentality and mystery are foundational. Along with this new approach came a renewed attention for a Christ-centred ecclesiology and a recognition of the activity and work of the Spirit outside the Roman Catholic church. All of these aspects are touched upon in this book.

The author has studied original documentation in a number of archives. The book thus offers a detailed reconstruction of textual evolutions and highlights the role played by Catholic and non-Catholic theologians who have helped shape contemporary ecclesiological thought. It gives us insight into the complex background history of the elementa ecclesiae and shows how it continues to inspire post-conciliar ecclesiological and ecumenical discussions.