World Christianity and Marxism by Denis R. Janz (review)

BOOK REVIEWS General World Christianity and Marxism. By Denis R. Janz. (NewYork: Oxford University Press. 1998. Pp. Lx, 188. $35.00.) As the current century draws to a close and the passions of the Cold War recede , Denis Janz has found the time ripe for a comprehensive study of the impact of Marxism, in both its doctrinal and political expressions, upon world Christianity, broadly conceived. The question he raises is simultaneously massive and complex. His approach to that question can be divided into three parts. In the first section of the book,Janz locates Marx in the context of nineteenthcentury intellectual history, examines his generally dismissive approach to religion , and then surveys the essentially negative, but often qualified, responses of Christian churches and thinkers to Marxism in the period prior to the ColdWar. The second, most original and extensive part of the book examines the concrete encounters of Marxism and Christianity in seven national case studies. The countries therein examined are the Soviet Union, United States, Poland, Nicaragua, Albania, Cuba, and China. On the basis of these case studies, the author , in the third part of the book, develops his general conclusion that the encounter with Marxism has been the defining event for twentieth-century Christianity, as a result of which, "on balance world Christianity has benefited" (p. 154). That conclusion is certainly open to debate and rests largely on the case studies cited. These studies can be disputed on several levels.What is the basis of selection of the case studies? Would not France and Brazil provide equally, if not more fruitful studies than the United States and Cuba? Is an extensive series of case studies capable of producing a comprehensive explanation of the impact of Marxism on world Christianity? The problem of sources is also pertinent. The author uses mainly secondary sources in English. Here, to be sure, his purpose must be kept in mind. His goal is not to make a definitive answer to the crucial question which he raises, but rather to stimulate serious, scholarly exploration of that topic. However, such an undertaking requires the combined efforts of scholars from many disciplines, nations, and confessions. Janz deserves to be applauded for initiating this pursuit. He correctly emphasizes the impact of Marxism on Christianity's self-definition. But, that self-definition has to be probed in the light not only of Marxism but also of concurrent develop591 592BOOK REVIEWS ments in theology and history. The greatest contribution of this book is thus not the debatable conclusion which it reaches, but rather the challenging question which it proposes. Francis J. Murphy Boston College La Bibbia nel Concilio: La redazione delta costituzione "Dei Verbum"del Vaticano II. By Riccardo Burigana. [Istituto per Ie scienze religiose: Testi e ricerche di scienze religiose, nuova serie, 21.] (Bologna: Società éditrice il Mulino. 1998. Pp. 514. Lire 65,000 paperback.) This work recounts in great detail the evolution of Vatican Council II's Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation from the ante-preparatory phase of the Council to the final vote of November 18, 1965. Thanks to his thorough examination of many personal archives, the author is able to trace every stage of the discussion in the various committees and subcommittees that were responsible for this Council document. On the whole, the author's analysis confirms the usual interpretation, even while adding some surprising details. The original schémas on "The Fonts of Revelation" and the "Deposit of Faith" were prepared, as is well known, by theologians of the Roman school under the supervision of Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani and Father Sebastian Tromp, SJ. These schémas were challenged by a loosely knit group of non-Italian theologians, including Karl Rahner, Joseph Ratzinger, Edward Schillebeeckx, Yves Congar, Marie-Dominique Chenu, and Henri de Lubac. In the course of time these theologians were supported by exegetes and ecumenists who shared the concerns of Pope John XXIII that the Council be oriented toward a return to the sources, aggiornamento, and the promotion of Christian unity. After the creation of the Secretariat for Christian Unity, the reformist party could count on the patronage of Cardinal Augustine Bea, its president. Cardinal Franz König and many bishops rallied to...