Renowned Scripture scholar, Gerhard Lohfink brings the cause of enlightenment to the forefront of Christian faith.
In The Light of Faith and Reason, renowned Scripture scholar Gerhard Lohfink focuses on the idea of enlightenment and traces it back to its biblical roots. He demonstrates the extent to which the Old Testament already served the cause of enlightenment and how that work of illumination was continued and deepened through Jesus and the church to bring light to the world.
To promote the mystery of faith and advocate its rationality, Lohfink focuses on the responsibility of the state to apply themselves on behalf of the Gospel and the building up of communities who live it. In The Light of Faith and Reason, Lohfink emphasizes that making the distinction between the things that belong to the state and the greater cause of the gospel message is a major element in the rationality of Christian faith.
Arvustused
In a world of constant challenge of Christianitys intellectual integrity, Lohfink highlights that the Christian faith is not outdated or just a leftover after the European Enlightenment. In his broad scope of topics, he demonstrates not only his expertise as a biblical scholar. In a highly personal voice, he also presents his own spirituality in deep attachment to his academic profession. Following Lohfinks thoughts, we can recognize that there is no stalemate between Christian faith and reason. Even further, by joining Lohfinks adventure of faith, we can see this undertaking as deeply fulfilling. Florian Klug is a lecturer at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany and the University of Vienna, Austria
A surprising valedictory offering from the late renowned New Testament scholar Gerhard Lohfink. His insightful (and at times moving) interpretations of Scripture show how the ideals of human dignity, freedom, equality, and tolerance, often equated with the Enlightenments emphasis on reason alone and critique of traditional religion, are rooted in the Jewish and early Christian scriptural traditions and continue to animate contemporary life. While a few debatable notions are here, Lohfinks cornucopia of on-target arguments reveal the deep connections between faith and reasona very positive Roman Catholic take on how divine revelation and human experience are mutually supportive and provide our current complex situation with reasons for hope. Anthony J. Godzieba, professor emeritus of fundamental and systematic theology, Villanova University
Contents
Preface ix
Abbreviations xi
1. Is the Church Required to Undergo Enlightenment? 1
2. The World Emptied of Its Gods 33
3. Are the Ancient Gods Returning? 54
4. Freedom to Believe 70
5. Social Project and Knowledge of God 92
6. Trinitarian Faith and Imperial Monotheism 111
7. Did the First Christians Understand Jesus? 130
8. Murder in the Name of God? 150
9. Did Easter Change History? 167
10. Easter and the Enlightenment 184
11. How Paul Talks to His Communities 196
12. Was Paul Anti-Jewish? 224
13. How Does the Church Gather? 256
14. How Does the Church Resolve Its Conflicts? 269
15. How Does the Church Do Mission? 280
16. The New Testament Basis for the Priestly Office 291
17. Marian Devotion: Superfluous or Essential? 335
18. Foreign, Hunted, and Shunned 348
Acknowledgments 363
Index of Biblical Passages 364
Gerhard Lohfink (1934-2024) was professor of New Testament exegesis at the University of Tübingen. His many award-winning books include Why I Believe in God, All My Springs Are in You,The Most Important Words of Jesus, Between Heaven and Earth, The Forty Parables of Jesus, No Irrelevant Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth, Is This All There Is?, The Our Father, and Prayer Takes Us Home, all from Liturgical Press.
