Eduardo J Echeverria

In Roman Catholicism and Neo-Calvinism, author Eduardo Echeverria asks: what do Rome and Amsterdam have to say to each other? Is there any common ground between the traditions of Roman Catholicism and Dutch neo-Calvinism on crucial philosophical and theological topics such as faith and reason, anthropology, sexual ethics, and the development of Christian doctrine? Furthermore, beyond ecumenical engagement the author polemically engages the conflicting truth claims of these two traditions on the above topics. This book addresses these questions in the thought and work of key individuals from both sides of the divide, including St Pope John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla, 1920–2005), St Thomas Aquinas, and St Vincent of Lérins (died c. 445), on the one hand, and Herman Bavinck (1854–1921), G.C. Berkouwer (1903–1996), and Herman Dooyeweerd (1894–1977), on the other. This book is an important example of receptive ecumenism, an approach to ecumenical dialogue in which the interlocutors seek to identify and exchange the distinctive gifts of each tradition for the benefit of the whole. It will appeal to all ecumenists and to those teaching courses in ecumenical theology.

Are Roman Catholics and Evangelical Protestants really together, united in a common faith in Jesus Christ? Yes, according to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). No, according to some Evangelical Protestants, such as Francis A. Schaeffer and R. C. Sproul, and more recently Gregg Allison and Leonardo De Chirico.Author Eduardo Echeverria is a committed Roman Catholic theologian doing theology within the normative tradition of confessional Catholicism, and thus in the light of Catholic teaching, this critical study is an ecumenical work. A member of the more than twenty-year-old American ecumenical initiative, Evangelicals and Catholics Together, Echeverria writes, "I have roots in the Evangelical and Reformed traditions and hence I listen attentively to the writings of fellow Christian theologians from these traditions of reflection and argument. In this ecumenical light, I engage the Evangelical Protestant writings of Gregg Allison and Leonardo De Chirico." Furthermore, this study is a work in receptive ecumenism; it follows the guidelines stipulated by Vatican Council II's Unitatis Redintegratio in order to promote mutual and improved understanding between Roman Catholicism and Evangelical Protestantism.

When the author's 2 year-old granddaughter Penelope Grace died within 36 hours of being diagnosed with a virulent strain of meningitis, her family questioned how to stand in her absence. As a Professor of Theology, and Penny's grandfather, answers came "as from oceans deep." This book is written from the perspective of a grandfather who suffered the death of a beloved granddaughter. In dealing with his suffering, he addresses these questions: What reasons does he have for trusting God's love, goodness, and providence--even when prayers go unanswered? Why does he grieve, but not without hope? Is perplexed, but not in despair? Why is he justified in trusting the Word of God as a reliable source of knowledge? Experiencing suffering and evil is like being up to one's neck in deep water, in oceans deep as it were. Yet, God's grace abounds in deepest waters by virtue of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who "brings redemption not only to my suffering but also meaning to my death." This book holds the conviction that "There is not a single aspect of the Christian message that is not in part an answer to the question of evil" (Catechism of the Catholic Church 309).

The general topic of this book concerns the ontology, epistemology, and teleology of the hermeneutics of dogma. In particular, the author addresses contemporary challenges faced by the necessity of maintaining the integrity of dogmatic truth of the Christian faith, of divine revelation and its transmission through tradition, particularly with respect to the relationship between history and doctrinal truth. The author integrates a theological hermeneutics, namely, the Lérinian hermeneutics of Vatican II, with a historically conscious hermeneutics. His aim is to show how we can consider the historical and contextual nature of dogmas, creeds and confessions while at the same time honoring their assertions of dogmatic truth that are permanent, valid and binding for all times.