Theology Today. 17 The Theology of Grace by Cornelius Ernst, O. P. (review)

BOOK REVIEWS 387 his anthropological principles, and his theology. The author is not defensive , nor apologetic. He succeds in making a case for a current appreciation of the thought o£ St. Thomas, while at the same time he freely admits that there are limitations to the Thomistic synthesis especially in the area of Christ's knowledge. One does not come away with the impression that one has been sold a bill of goods. Rather, one finds an honest appraisal of the advances made in Christology with the aid of more contemporary philosophies. One cannot help but be impressed. In addition to the footnotes proper to the Summa there are many (yet, not too many) excellent explanations of the meaning o£ the text, particularly in relation to developments which have occurred in modern Christological studies. Again, one finds no attempt to defend but only an attempt to clarify the context of the particular question and an openness to other approaches more in line with modern thought and more apt to coincide with biblical thought-patterns. In his brief, concise commentary there is evidence of a real familiarity with the documents of tradition, as well as with recent scriptural syntheses, something which would please the Master Theologian himself. The area of St. Thomas's Christological synthesis which is most often criticized by biblical scholars and modern theologians is that which is concerned with the knowledge of Christ. This is handled very well in the commentary: there is a good exposition of Thomas's reasoning and an appreciation of new insights. The volume concludes with a glossary of important technical terms. It is to be hoped that the remaining volumes of this series will be o£ the same quality as this one. Oblate Corlege Washington, D. C. GEoRGE F. KmwiN, 0. M. I Theology Today. 17 The Theology of Grace. By CoRNELIUS ERNST, O.P. Pp. 96. 23 The Theology of Secularity. By GERALD O'CoLLINS, S. J. Pp. 94. Notre Dame: Fides, 1974. $1.25 each. When theologians of our time have provided the Church with a wellrounded theology of grace they will have performed perhaps their greatest service. The Theology of Grace is a notable contribution in that direction . In the opening section on "The Language of Grace" we read: "It is not as though we were to itemise God's gifts and call one of them ' grace '; it is rather that ' grace ' qualifies the whole of God's self-communication as a gift beyond all telling." (p. 29) The second of 388 BOOK REVIEWS the book's three chapters gives a brief but incisive history of the doctrine of grace where the factors shaping our recent and somewhat improverished treatment of ' grace ' are outlined. Among these is the divorce of the gift of grace from the Giver and the philosophy of the real which was used to express this theology. These two enlightening chapters prepare the way for the last in which the author gives his " Perspective for a Theology of Grace." Because grace is not " one item among the many gifts God bestowed on man," the author believes that there is no such thing as a theology of "grace" which would parallel a theology of Christ, say, or the sacraments. Rather he tries to "elicit some kind of centre in experience . . . from which . . . we might refresh our awareness of the whole of human existence under God as gift. ..." (p. 93) Toward this end he presses into service the notion of "meaning" which he feels is more relevant in our times. "Grace" brings new meaning into man's life, a transformation, because it implies a totally new destiny, a new communion between God and man, made possible by Christ's death and resurrection . The relationship of grace to nature, freedom, sin, sacraments, Holy Spirit is dealt with from this fresh point of view; a pity it has to be so brief. The profundity and originality of this volume is such that a bigger book would be needed to do it justice. Those who study this work, and study is needed, will be richly rewarded for their efforts. Secularization is one of the more important elements in the theologian's milieu...