Ressourcement Thomism : sacred doctrine, the Sacraments, and the moral life : essays in honor of Romanus Cessario, O.P

The essays in this volume explore three areas in which St. Thomas Aquinas's voice has never fallen silent: sacred doctrine, the relationship of sacraments and metaphysics, and the central role of virtue in moral theology. For Aquinas, sacramental theology studies how Christ Jesus acts in the Church through created instruments, namely, the sacraments and their ministers. He remains a crucial source of wisdom for such discussions, which have profound pastoral implications. Aquinas also undertakes inquiry into human nature, human flourishing, and life in Christ. The transformation of created human capacities through the grace of the Holy Spirit requires a careful integration of philosophical and theological reflection, for which Aquinas's moral theology has proven pastorally fruitful and spiritually energizing over the centuries. The authors consider the treatment of these themes in light of, and in tribute to, the wide-ranging work of Aquinas scholar Romanus Cessario, O.P. The essays highlight the importance of St. Thomas Aquinas in contemporary theology and exemplify how to draw upon the resources of the saint for contemporary purposes of appropriation and practice, rather than for strictly historical purposes. Throughout, one sees the importance of St. Thomas Aquinas for theology today. CONTRIBUTORS In addition to commendations by Archbishop J. Augustine Di Noia and Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon, the following scholars contribute essays to the volume: Guy Bedouelle, O.P.; Bernhard Blankenhorn, O.P.; Stephen L. Brock; Lawrence Dewan, O.P.; Reinhard Hütter; Joseph W. Koterski, S.J.; Matthew L. Lamb; Benoît-Dominique de La Soujeole, O.P. ; Matthew Levering; Steven A. Long; Alasdair MacIntyre; Graham J. McAleer; Richard Schenk, O.P.; Craig Steven Titus; Thomas Weinandy, O.F.M. Cap.; and Thomas Joseph White, O.P. The Essays In This Volume Explore Three Areas In Which St. Thomas Aquinas's Voice Has Never Fallen Silent: Sacred Doctrine, The Relationship Of Sacraments And Metaphysics, And The Central Role Of Virtue In Moral Theology. The Essays Highlight The Importance Of Aquinas In Contemporary Theology And Exemplify How To Draw Upon The Resources Of The Saint For Contemporary Purposes Of Appropriation And Practice, Rather Than For Strictly Historical Purposes. Throughout, One Sees The Importance Of Aquinas For Theology Today. Foreword / J. Augustine Dinoia -- Preface / Mary Ann Glendon -- The Cornerstone : Christian Faith And Modern Culture In Dialogue / Guy Bedouelle -- Part 1. Sapientia Dei : Sacred Scripture And Sacred Doctrine : -- 1. Transubstantiation Revisited : Sacra Doctrina, Dogma, And Metaphysics / Reinhard Hütter -- 2. Ordering Wisdom : Aquinas, The Old Testament, And Sacra Doctrina / Matthew Levering -- 3. The Precarity Of Wisdom : Modern Dominican Theology, Perspectivalism, And The Tasks Of Reconstruction / Thomas Joseph White -- Part 2. Mysterium Fidei : Sacraments And Metaphysics : -- 4. The Importance Of The Definition Of Sacraments As Signs / Benoît-dominique De La Soujeole -- 5. The Place Of Romans 6 In Aquinas's Doctrine Of Sacramental Causality : A Balance Of History And Metaphysics / Bernhard Blankenhorn -- 6. The Human Acts Of Christ And The Acts That Are The Sacraments / Thomas G. Weinandy -- 7. Verum Sacrificium As The Fullness And Limit Of Eucharistic Sacrifice In The Sacramental Theology Of Thomas Aquinas / Richard Schenk -- Part 3. Bonum, Lex, Virtus : Moral Theology : -- 8. St. Thomas And The Divinity Of The Common Good / Lawrence Dewan -- 9. The Primacy Of The Common Good And The Foundations Of Natural Law In St. Thomas / Stephen L. Brock -- 10. A Reading Guide For Natural Law Ethics / Joseph W. Koterski -- 11. Natural Law, The Moral Object, And Humanae Vitae / Steven A. Long -- 12. Contemplata Tradere : Embodied Interiority In Cessario, Pinckaers, And Lonergan / Matthew L. Lamb -- 13. Moral Development And Connecting The Virtues : Aquinas, Porter, And The Flawed Saint / Craig Steven Titus -- 14. Vanity And Commerce : How De Malo Supports Whig Thomism / Graham J. Mcaleer -- Postscript : There Is Only One Sadness ... Not To Be Saints / Alasdair Macintyre Edited By Reinhard Hütter & Matthew Levering. Publications Of Romanus Cessario, O.p. : P. 373-379. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.