John Henry Newman and the Crisis of Modernity

Edited by Brian W. Hughes and Danielle Nussberger - Contributions by Christopher Cimorelli; Colby Dickinson; Onoriode Ekeh; Brian W. Hughes; Benjamin J. King; Paul Monson; Timothy P. Muldoon; Danielle Nussberger; Daniel A. Rober and Tracy Sayuki Tiemeier

This book blends historical, theological, and philosophical inquiries into what “modernity” means with the aim of showing how Newman can analyze, critique, and explain fruitful ways forward within a diverse range of subjects. First, it surveys historical and theological topics such as how Newman understood “modernity,” the sensus fidelium, the role of doubt and modern views of reason; Newman’s university ideal; and a return to the saint for much-needed anthropological insights. Second, the volume shows how Newman’s thought can be insightfully applied to key issues within church and society: the need to redefine “American” Catholicism, the challenge of secularization, the role of Christian joy, revelation and religious diversity, progress traps and the ecological crisis, and overcoming post-modern individualism. Throughout each chapter, contributors consistently bring Newman’s original and penetrating thought to bear upon critical themes in theological anthropology, ecclesiology, comparative theology, and spirituality. The volume shows how Newman’s thought can be extended and enriched by dialogue with contemporary thinkers such as Charles Taylor, Pope Francis, and Bruno Latour. In brief, the contributors demonstrate how Newman can help frame contemporary self-understandings and various theological and social imaginaries in the light of faith.

Lexington Books / Fortress Academic

Pages: 220 • Trim: 6¼ x 9

978-1-9787-0210-3 • Hardback • November 2018 • $117.00 • (£90.00)

978-1-9787-0211-0 • eBook • November 2018 • $111.00 • (£85.00)

Subjects: Religion / Christian Theology / History, History / Modern / General, Religion / Christianity / Catholic, Religion / Philosophy, Religion / Theology

John Henry Newman and the Crisis of Modernity

Hardback

eBook

Summary

This book blends historical, theological, and philosophical inquiries into what “modernity” means with the aim of showing how Newman can analyze, critique, and explain fruitful ways forward within a diverse range of subjects. First, it surveys historical and theological topics such as how Newman understood “modernity,” the sensus fidelium, the role of doubt and modern views of reason; Newman’s university ideal; and a return to the saint for much-needed anthropological insights. Second, the volume shows how Newman’s thought can be insightfully applied to key issues within church and society: the need to redefine “American” Catholicism, the challenge of secularization, the role of Christian joy, revelation and religious diversity, progress traps and the ecological crisis, and overcoming post-modern individualism. Throughout each chapter, contributors consistently bring Newman’s original and penetrating thought to bear upon critical themes in theological anthropology, ecclesiology, comparative theology, and spirituality. The volume shows how Newman’s thought can be extended and enriched by dialogue with contemporary thinkers such as Charles Taylor, Pope Francis, and Bruno Latour. In brief, the contributors demonstrate how Newman can help frame contemporary self-understandings and various theological and social imaginaries in the light of faith.

Details

Lexington Books / Fortress Academic

Pages: 220 • Trim: 6¼ x 9

978-1-9787-0210-3 • Hardback • November 2018 • $117.00 • (£90.00)

978-1-9787-0211-0 • eBook • November 2018 • $111.00 • (£85.00)

Subjects: Religion / Christian Theology / History, History / Modern / General, Religion / Christianity / Catholic, Religion / Philosophy, Religion / Theology

Author

Brian W. Hughes is professor of theology in the Theology and Pastoral Ministry Program at the University of Saint Mary.

Danielle Nussberger is associate professor of systematic theology and director of undergraduate studies at Marquette University.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Brian W. Hughes and Danielle Nussberger

Part I

Theological-historical Investigations and Newman’s Influence on Contemporary Thinkers

1 Consulting the Faithful: the Origins and Afterlife of Newman’s Idea

Benjamin King

2 Newman and the Architecture of Knowledge in the Modern University

Tim Muldoon

3 Newman on Doubt as a Natural Cognitive Process

Ono Ekeh

4 Sainthood Revisited in Newman and Balthasar

Danielle Nussberger

Part II

Contemporary Applications of Newman’s Thought

5 Christianity after the “Eclipse of Grace”: John Henry Newman and Charles Taylor’s A Secular Age

Dan Rober

6 Newman and American Catholicism: The Search for a Hemispheric Ecclesiology

Paul Monson

7 Dealing with the Fragmentation of Knowledge: The Complex Grounds for Faith in Newman, Adorno, and Latour

Colby Dickinson

8 Universal Revelation and Religious Diversity: On Supersessionism, Religious Diversity, and John Henry Newman

Tracey Tiemeier

9 Progress Traps and Christian Eschatology: Newman, Christian Spirituality, and Acedia

Christopher Cimorelli

10 Newman, Pope Francis, and the Paradoxical Nature of Christian Joy

Brian W. Hughes

About the Contributors

Reviews

The premise of this book "John Henry Newman and the Crisis of Modernity" is that Newman's work can speak to some important topics in contemporary life. The result is a lively book that convincingly demonstrates Newman's continued relevance and would be an ideal book to recommend to people who may doubt that.

— Newman Studies Journal

At a time when theologians are grappling with the implosion of modernity, as witnessed in global culture, politics, and in the life of the church, the nineteenth-century religious genius, John Henry Newman, has again become pertinent. This refreshing collection of essays, written by a new generation of Newman scholars, goes far beyond standard Newman studies. Each essay brings Newman into a wide range of theological and even inter-religious conversations with interlocutors he would never have imagined engaging—from the Buddha to Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Charles Taylor to Pope Francis. As yet undiscovered dimensions of Newman’s thought come to light in the process. This book is a must-read for anyone seriously concerned about life after the demise of modernity, and serious theological engagement with the challenges we face.
— Paul G. Crowley, SJ, Jesuit Community Professor, Santa Clara University

The authors of this collection have pointed the way forward for Newman studies, and for the future that Newman’s thought deserves. It was characteristic of Newman that he could engage with history and tradition and apply the lessons they had to teach to his own day. The contributors to this volume have done much the same for Newman himself, by engaging with him in a critical and constructive dialogue. In doing so they have given him a voice in contemporary discussions, and allowed him to throw light on a whole range of themes, including, among others, secularization, religious epistemology, ecclesiology, and the nature of Christian joy. This is more than a book about Newman. It is a conversation with Newman.
— Terrence Merrigan, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, KU Leuven, Belgium